Site-Directed and Random Insertional Mutagenesis in Medically Important Fungi

Abstract

Site-directed and random mutagenesis have been useful tools in molecular biology. The application of directed mutagenesis in medically important fungi has been limited by the availability of molecular genetic techniques. Even species in which efficient genetic transformation methodologies exist, mutagenesis approaches were sparsely used due to diploidism. Lack of genetic tools hindered understanding of virulence mechanisms of medically important fungi. With the arrival of whole-genome sequencing, as well as improved techniques of genetic manipulation, the ability to address these questions is improving. A comprehensive review of mutagenesis in pathogenic fungi is outside the scope of this review, so not all studies were included. The intent of this review is to educate the reader on applications of site-directed and random insertional mutagenesis in medically important fungi in order to provide ideas for novel approaches to address major issues in pathogenic fungal research.