DhSip1 , an NRPS-independent siderophore biosynthetic gene, regulates adhesive knob formation and pathogenicity in Dactylellina haptotyla through mediating iron acquisition

Iron acquisition plays a crucial role in fungal pathogenicity. Nematode-trapping fungi (NTFs) serve as important biocontrol agents that can develop traps to capture and kill nematodes. Here, we characterize a non-ribosomal peptide synthase-independent siderophore biosynthetic gene, DhSip1, in NTF Dactylellina haptotyla, which modulates trap (adhesive knob) development and pathogenicity by regulating siderophore-dependent iron acquisition. The deletion of DhSip1 severely impa