Bifunctional Sesquiterpene/Diterpene Synthase Agr2 from Cyclocybe aegerita Gives Rise to the Novel Diterpene Cyclocybene

Scientists discovered that a special enzyme from a mushroom called Cyclocybe aegerita can make two different types of aromatic compounds instead of just one. By growing this enzyme in a different mushroom species that provides better raw materials, researchers identified a completely new compound called cyclocybene. This finding shows that using fungi as hosts for producing useful natural chemicals can work better than traditional bacterial systems, potentially opening new paths for making medicines and fragrances.