Characterization and Heterologous Expression of UDP-Glucose 4-Epimerase from a Hericium erinaceus Mutant with High Polysaccharide Production

This research characterized an enzyme from the medicinal mushroom Hericium erinaceus that helps produce bioactive polysaccharides. By expressing this enzyme in yeast cells, researchers were able to modify the sugar composition of polysaccharides and enhance their immune-stimulating properties. This has important implications for developing more effective medicinal mushroom products. Impacts on everyday life: – Could lead to more potent medicinal mushroom supplements – Provides new tools for engineering healthier functional foods – Advances understanding of how medicinal mushrooms produce beneficial compounds – May help develop new pharmaceutical products from mushrooms – Could improve production methods for mushroom-based medicines