Research Keyword: biosynthetic pathway

A high-quality genome assembly of angel-wing mushroom Pleurocybella porrigens that causes acute encephalopathy

Scientists created a detailed genetic blueprint of the angel-wing mushroom, which caused serious poisonings in Japan. They identified three toxic compounds in the mushroom and found a gene that likely produces one of the most dangerous toxins responsible for brain damage. This research helps explain how the mushroom makes its poison and could lead to better understanding of foodborne illness prevention.

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Enhancement of Perylenequinonoid Compounds Production from Strain of Pseudoshiraia conidialis by UV-Induced Mutagenesis

Researchers used UV light to mutate fungal strains that naturally produce powerful medicinal compounds called perylenequinones. These compounds show promise for treating cancer and viral infections through photodynamic therapy. Through careful mutagenesis and screening, they developed a superior fungal strain that produces over 2100 mg/L of these valuable compounds, far exceeding previous methods. The breakthrough highlights that focusing on multiple beneficial compounds rather than just one can lead to better commercial applications.

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Dissimilar Reactions and Enzymes for Psilocybin Biosynthesis in Inocybe and Psilocybe Mushrooms

This study reveals that two different types of magic mushrooms—Psilocybe and Inocybe—make psilocybin (the active compound in magic mushrooms) using completely different enzymes and chemical pathways. Despite both mushroom types producing the same final product, they evolved their recipes independently, like two chefs arriving at the same dish through entirely different cooking methods. The research shows how evolution can solve the same problem in multiple ways and provides new enzymes that could be useful for producing psilocybin as a potential depression treatment.

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Staurosporine as an Antifungal Agent

Staurosporine is a natural compound from soil bacteria that can kill fungal infections. While originally known for its anti-cancer properties, scientists have recently rediscovered its strong antifungal activity, especially against dangerous drug-resistant fungi. The challenge is that it also damages human cells, but researchers are developing improved versions and combination treatments to make it safer and more effective.

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Mushrooms Do Produce Flavonoids: Metabolite Profiling and Transcriptome Analysis of Flavonoid Synthesis in the Medicinal Mushroom Sanghuangporus baumii

Researchers discovered that the medicinal mushroom Sanghuangporus baumii produces 81 different flavonoids, compounds known for their health benefits including antioxidant and anti-cancer properties. Using advanced genetic and chemical analysis, they identified the genes and processes responsible for this flavonoid production in mushrooms, which differs from how plants make these compounds. By increasing the activity of a key gene called PAL, they were able to boost flavonoid production in the mushroom. This discovery opens new possibilities for using mushrooms as biological factories to produce flavonoids for medical and nutritional applications.

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