Avaliação da disponibilidade genômica do gênero Fusarium.

Abstract

The Fusarium genus is a complex of filamentous fungi widely distributed in nature, capable of causing agricultural losses and producing mycotoxins that threaten human and animal food safety. Although genomics has established itself as a tool superior to classical techniques for studying these microorganisms, the rapid expansion of public database repositories raises questions about the reliability and representativeness of this information. In this context, the present study aimed to evaluate the availability and quality of Fusarium genomic resources in the NCBI, as well as to perform a functional characterization of their pathogenic potential. The analysis of 1,923 assemblies revealed geographical and taxonomic asymmetries, highlighting the predominance of data produced by the Global North and a prevalence of data linked to the species F. oxysporum. In addition, a technical weakness was observed in the collection, marked by high genome fragmentation due to the predominant use of short-read technologies. Despite this, functional analysis demonstrated that, even with these limitations, there is a highly conserved core set of virulence genes in the genus. The mapping of genes essential for infection revealed a shared molecular basis, suggesting that the fungus's versatility is supported by stable mechanisms. Finally, it is concluded that, although the database needs revisions and new sequencing technologies, the current information already allows the identification of biotechnological targets and the development of strategies to control these diseases.