Functional characterization of two survival factor 1 genes in Mucor lusitanicus

Scientists studied two genes that produce survival proteins in a fungus called Mucor lusitanicus that can cause serious infections called mucormycosis. One protein, Svf1b, acts like a master control switch that helps the fungus survive stress conditions like cold and oxidative damage, maintain healthy spores, and resist antifungal treatments. When researchers removed both survival factor genes, the fungus became much less harmful to infected animals, suggesting these genes are important for the fungus to cause disease.