cell wall integrity – Page 3

Characterisation of guided entry of tail-anchored proteins in Magnaporthe oryzae

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Rice blast disease caused by the fungus Magnaporthe oryzae threatens global rice production. This study identified and studied five proteins (GET components) that help the fungus insert special proteins into cell membranes, a process essential for the fungus to infect rice plants. Researchers found that two of these proteins are critical for the fungus to grow, reproduce, and cause disease, while a third one actually reduces the fungus’s ability to infect plants. This discovery could lead to new strategies to control rice blast disease.

Decapeptide Inducer Promotes the Conidiation of Phytopathogenic Magnaporthe oryzae via the Mps1 MAPK Signaling Pathway

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Scientists discovered a short chain of amino acids called MCIDP that dramatically increases spore production in rice blast fungus. This fungus causes one of the most destructive diseases affecting rice crops worldwide, with losses ranging from 10-50% depending on severity. The researchers found that MCIDP works by activating specific cellular signaling pathways that control the fungus’s reproduction. This discovery could lead to new strategies for controlling rice blast disease and protecting rice crops from infection.

Kinome analysis of Madurella mycetomatis identified kinases in the cell wall integrity pathway as novel potential therapeutic drug targets in eumycetoma caused by Madurella mycetomatis

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Eumycetoma is a serious fungal infection that causes large skin lesions and is very difficult to treat, even with long-term medication and surgery. Researchers used computer analysis to identify proteins called kinases that are essential for the fungus to survive. They found that targeting kinases involved in building the fungal cell wall could potentially lead to new treatments. By testing existing drugs, they discovered eight compounds that could inhibit fungal growth, offering hope for better treatment options.

VdPAT1 encoding a pantothenate transporter protein is required for fungal growth, mycelial penetration and pathogenicity of Verticillium dahliae

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Verticillium dahliae is a destructive fungus that causes a wilting disease in cotton crops. Researchers found that a specific protein (VdPAT1) that helps the fungus absorb vitamin B5 is critical for its survival and ability to infect cotton plants. When they disabled this protein, the fungus grew poorly, couldn’t penetrate plant tissues effectively, and became much less virulent, suggesting this protein could be a target for controlling the disease.

Cell Wall-Mediated Antifungal Activity of the Aqueous Extract of Hedera helix L. Leaves Against Diplodia corticola

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Scientists discovered that extract from ivy leaves can effectively kill a fungus called Diplodia corticola that damages cork oak trees. The extract works by damaging the fungus’s protective cell wall rather than interfering with its internal chemistry. This natural alternative to chemical fungicides could help protect cork production worldwide while being safer for human health and the environment.

Cell walls of filamentous fungi – challenges and opportunities for biotechnology

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Filamentous fungi like Aspergillus and Trichoderma are workhorses of the biotechnology industry, producing enzymes and pharmaceuticals worth billions annually. The cell wall surrounding these fungal cells acts as both a barrier and a filter, affecting how well proteins can be secreted into the fermentation medium. By genetically modifying cell wall components, scientists can improve enzyme production efficiency. Additionally, the billions of tons of fungal biomass left over from fermentation contain valuable chitin and chitosan that could be extracted and reused, creating a more sustainable manufacturing process.

Phospholipase PlcH is involved in the secretion of cell wall glycoproteins and contributes to the host immune response of Aspergillus fumigatus

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Researchers discovered that an enzyme called PlcH helps a dangerous mold called Aspergillus fumigatus release protective proteins into its cell wall. These proteins help the fungus survive and evade the immune system. When scientists removed the gene for PlcH, the fungus became weaker and more vulnerable to both antifungal drugs and immune cells, suggesting PlcH could be a target for new antifungal treatments.

The cyclase-associated protein contributes to antifungal susceptibility and virulence in Aspergillus fumigatus

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Researchers found that removing a specific protein called CAP from a dangerous mold called Aspergillus fumigatus makes it much weaker and easier to kill with antifungal drugs. This mold normally causes serious lung infections in people with weak immune systems. The study showed that CAP helps the mold grow and resist medicines, and blocking it could be a new way to treat these dangerous infections.

A GDP-mannose-1-phosphate guanylyltransferase as a potential HIGS target against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum

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Scientists identified a critical fungal protein called SsMPG2 that helps the plant disease-causing fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum infect crops and survive. When this protein is silenced using genetic engineering techniques, plants become resistant to the fungus. The research shows this protein is important in many plant-pathogenic fungi, making it a promising target for developing disease-resistant crops through genetic modification.

The role of Npt1 in regulating antifungal protein activity in filamentous fungi

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Researchers discovered how antifungal proteins work against a dangerous fungus (Aspergillus flavus) that damages crops and produces toxins. They found that these proteins break down the fungal cell wall and then interact with an internal fungal protein called Ntp1. By understanding exactly which part of Ntp1 the antifungal proteins bind to, scientists can now develop better treatments to protect food crops from fungal diseases.

Research Keyword: cell wall integrity