The RNAi Mechanism Regulates a New Exonuclease Gene Involved in the Virulence of Mucorales

Mucormycosis is a lethal disease caused by Mucorales, which are emerging as human causes that explain the high mortality for this disease. Consequently, research community searching virulence determinants could be repurposed targets to develop new treatments against mucormycosis. Our work explores an RNA interference (RNAi)-based approach find involved in of Mucorales. A transcriptomewide analysis compared sRNAs and their target mRNAs two Mucor lusitanicus different pathotypes, virulent avirulent, generating list 75 loci selected differential sRNA accumulation these strains. As proof concept validity, experimental characterized showing opposite behavior, confirming RNAi activity expression pathotypes. We generated deletion mutants knockin-strain overexpressing one loci. Their functional murine assays identified gene wex1, putative DEDDy exonuclease with RNase domains, essential factor virulence. The identification wex1 showed potential our discover factors not only Mucorales but also any other fungal model active machinery. More importantly, it adds layer biological processes controlled M. lusitanicus, Dicer-dependent pathway can silence promote