Biocontrol Science and Technology (2011) 21, 1457-1469

Shaukat Ali, Zeqing Wang, Shunxiang Ren and Zhen Huang (2011)
Superoxide dismutase production by Isaria fumosorosea on metals and its role in stress tolerance and fungal virulence
Biocontrol Science and Technology 21 (12), 1457-1469
Abstract: Superoxide dismutase (SOD) is an anti-oxidant enzyme which also plays a role in fungal virulence. The present study was conducted to elucidate its role in fungal infection and stress tolerance of entomopathogenic fungi, Isaria fumosorosea. SOD activity of I. fumosorosea conidia differed significantly on the growth medium supplemented with different metal compounds. The use of Cu + Zn proved to be the most active inducer of SOD activity. Cu + Zn treatment enhanced the fungal tolerance to oxidative stress generated by menadione in the medium (0-3 mM) as evaluated by colony growth. The conidial tolerance to UV-B radiation and heat was evaluated by assays of spore germination. Conidia produced on cultures with Cu + Zn were more tolerant to UV-B and thermal stress as well as exhibiting a higher rate of virulence against P. xylostella larvae. Our study highlights that SOD contributes significantly to the virulence and stress tolerance of I. fumosorosea and reveals possible means to improving field persistence and efficacy of a fungal formulation by manipulating the antioxidant enzymes of fungal pathogens.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Shun-Xiang Ren

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
molecular biology - genes

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Plutella xylostella
Cordyceps fumosorosea (entomopathogen)	Plutella xylostella