Two Photolyases Repair Distinct DNA Lesions and Reactivate UVB-Inactivated Conidia of an Insect Mycopathogen under Visible Light

Protecting fungal cells from damage from solar UVB irradiation is critical for development and application of fungal insecticides but is mechanistically not understood in Beauveria bassiana , a classic insect pathogen. We unveil that two intranuclear photolyases, Phr1 and Phr2, play essential roles in repairing UVB-induced dsDNA lesions through respective decomposition of cytotoxic cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers and (6-4)-pyrimidine-pyrimidine photoproducts, hence reactivating UVB-inactivated cells effectively under visible light. Our findings shed light on the high potential of both photolyase genes for use in improving UVB resistance and application strategy of fungal insecticides.