{
  "abstract": "Pathogenic microbes deploy secreted effectors to subvert host immunity and physiology across kingdom boundaries, yet the molecular mechanisms that maintain effector competence during this transition remain poorly defined. Here, we identify MrNIS1, an effector from the insect-pathogenic fungus Metarhizium robertsii whose stability and secretion are governed by K24 acetylation through physical association with the acetyltransferase MrKAT1 and the deacetylase MrSIR2. Once inside the insect, MrNIS1 acts as a dual-targeting effector to disrupt distinct physiological pathways. It binds the serine protease SPS to block prophenoloxidase activation, thereby suppressing melanization-based immunity. MrNIS1 interacts with the evolutionarily conserved cholesterol transporter ERP, disrupting ecdysteroid biosynthesis and leading to impaired larval growth and cuticle synthesis. This MrNIS1-ERP interaction is functionally conserved across Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, and Diptera. Furthermore, heterologous expression in Beauveria bassiana demonstrates that the KAT1/SIR2 regulatory system is conserved across fungal species, where MrNIS1 acts as a portable virulence module to significantly enhance pathogen efficacy. Our findings reveal that lysine acetylation serves as a molecular switch that preserves effector competence during cross-kingdom transit, enabling the simultaneous targeting of multiple host physiological processes. These results elucidate a conserved strategy of fungal pathogenesis and identify potential targets for the improvement of microbial biocontrol agents. Author summary: Fungal pathogens secrete effectors to manipulate hosts, but how these weapons remain stable during transmission is unclear. Our study reveals that lysine acetylation of an insect-pathogenic fungal effector ensures its stability, delivery, and function inside hosts. Once there, it simultaneously disrupts immune defense and hormone signaling—blocking both protective melanization and larval development. This regulatory system can be transferred to other fungi to enhance their virulence. These findings uncover a molecular mechanism preserving effector competence across kingdoms and offer a strategy to improve biological pest control.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Biological Control, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China.",
    "Hefei Forestry Protection Center, Hefei, China."
  ],
  "article_type": "Research Article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 11,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Yulong Wang"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Ying Dong"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Yang Zhang"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Siying Wu"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0,
        1
      ],
      "name": "Deshui Yu",
      "orcid": "0009-0007-7189-5365"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Guang Yang"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Shuqian Gao"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Yang Yang"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Shihao Dong"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Li Qin"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Bo Huang",
      "orcid": "0000-0001-6032-7396"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/7p965dye17htj.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.1371/journal.ppat.1014680",
  "fulltext_url": "https://journals.plos.org/plospathogens/article?id=10.1371/journal.ppat.1014680",
  "id": "7p965dye17htj",
  "issns": [
    "1553-7374",
    "1553-7366"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://journals.plos.org/plospathogens/article?id=10.1371/journal.ppat.1014680",
  "language": "eng",
  "licence": "CC-BY",
  "licence_label": "CC BY",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "openalex",
      "1109|Entomopathogenic Microorganisms in Pest Control"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Biochemistry/Enzymology/Enzymes/Proteases/Serine proteases"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Biochemistry/Lipids/Cholesterol"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Biochemistry/Proteins/Amino acids/Basic amino acids/Lysine"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Biochemistry/Proteins/Enzymes/Proteases/Serine proteases"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Biochemistry/Proteins/Post-translational modification/Acetylation"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Developmental biology/Life cycles/Larvae"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Microbiology/Medical microbiology/Microbial pathogens/Fungal pathogens"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Mycology/Fungal pathogens"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Organisms/Eukaryota/Animals/Invertebrates/Arthropoda/Insects"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Zoology/Animal physiology/Invertebrate physiology/Insect physiology"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Zoology/Animals/Invertebrates/Arthropoda/Insects"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Zoology/Entomology/Insect physiology"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Biology and life sciences/Zoology/Entomology/Insects"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Medicine and health sciences/Pathology and laboratory medicine/Pathogens/Microbial pathogens/Fungal pathogens"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Physical sciences/Chemistry/Chemical compounds/Organic compounds/Amino acids/Basic amino acids/Lysine"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Physical sciences/Chemistry/Chemical reactions/Acetylation"
    ],
    [
      "plos",
      "/Physical sciences/Chemistry/Organic chemistry/Organic compounds/Amino acids/Basic amino acids/Lysine"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7220401681",
  "pdf_url": "https://journals.plos.org/plospathogens/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.ppat.1014680&type=printable",
  "pmcid": "PMC13660978",
  "pmid": "42832564",
  "published": "2026-10-05",
  "publisher": "Public Library of Science",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/7p965dye17htj.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:17:37Z",
      "native_id": "10.1371/journal.ppat.1014680",
      "source": "plos",
      "url": "https://journals.plos.org/plospathogens/article?id=10.1371/journal.ppat.1014680"
    },
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:18:10Z",
      "native_id": "MED:42832564",
      "source": "europepmc",
      "url": "https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42832564"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "biology",
      "origin": "plos:microbiology",
      "subfield": "microbiology"
    },
    {
      "field": "biology",
      "origin": "plos:zoology",
      "subfield": "zoology-behaviour"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Acetylation enables a dual-targeting fungal effector to inhibit insect immunity and development",
  "title_text": "Acetylation enables a dual-targeting fungal effector to inhibit insect immunity and development",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:18:10Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/7p965dye17htj",
  "venue": "PLOS Pathogens",
  "versions": []
}