Genome-wide Discovery of lncRNAs in Mucorales Reveals Essential Roles in EDF Biology

Here, we provide the first comprehensive identification and characterization of lncRNAs in the EDF order Mucorales, a threatening and WHO high-priority group of opportunistic human pathogens. In this work, we focus on the two major models of this group: Mucor lusitanicus and the clinically relevant pathogen Rhizopus microsporus.

We show that EDF lncRNAs exhibit conserved features, dynamic regulation during host interactions, and integration within critical gene regulatory networks. Despite being distributed preferentially in the inactive compartment of chromatin, we found that their expression is associated with 6mA presence in R. microsporus. Additionally, we also found that the lncRNA can be targeted by both canonical and non-canonical RNA pathways active in these fungi.