Disruptions of the genes involved in lysine biosynthesis, iron acquisition, and secondary metabolisms affect virulence and fitness in Metarhizium robertsii
mrpptA deletion abolished of known M. robertsii PKS- and NRPS-derived compounds. ΔmrpptA strains were nearly avirulent against Drosophila suzukii. mraarA or mrsidA mutants had significantly decreased virulence. Residual Fe chelation in ΔmrsidA strains hints at novel non-hydroxamate siderophores.