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PLoS Pathogens Issue Image | Vol. 17(6) July 2021

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A fruit fly killed and mycosed by Metarhizium robertsii.

Entomopathogenic fungi such as Metarhizium robertsii infect insects by formation of appressoria to penetrate host cuticles. After killing the insects, fungal mycelia will breach the cuticle again to sporulate on the surface of the body. This image shows a fruit fly killed and mycosed by M. robertsii. Along with the development of appressoria, the mucilaginous matrix will be produced to mediate cell adherence and secretion of cuticle-degrading enzymes. The exopolysaccharide galactosaminogalactan biosynthesized by a conserved gene cluster is responsible for the production of appressorial mucilage. Mei et al.

Image Credit: Wang C, 2021

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A fruit fly killed and mycosed by Metarhizium robertsii.

Entomopathogenic fungi such as Metarhizium robertsii infect insects by formation of appressoria to penetrate host cuticles. After killing the insects, fungal mycelia will breach the cuticle again to sporulate on the surface of the body. This image shows a fruit fly killed and mycosed by M. robertsii. Along with the development of appressoria, the mucilaginous matrix will be produced to mediate cell adherence and secretion of cuticle-degrading enzymes. The exopolysaccharide galactosaminogalactan biosynthesized by a conserved gene cluster is responsible for the production of appressorial mucilage. Mei et al.

Image Credit: Wang C, 2021

https://doi.org/10.1371/image.ppat.v17.i06.g001