Research Keyword: convergent evolution

Convergent evolution links molybdenum insertase domains with organism-specific sequences

mycolabadmin

Scientists studied how fungi use a special protein called Mo insertase to create molybdenum cofactor, which is essential for life. By testing different versions of this protein from various organisms, they discovered that fungi have developed a unique version with a special 20-amino acid region that cannot be replaced with versions from plants or animals. This finding shows that evolution has fine-tuned this protein differently in different organisms.

Read More »

Unprecedented Mushroom Polyketide Synthases Produce the Universal Anthraquinone Precursor

mycolabadmin

Scientists discovered that mushrooms in the Cortinarius genus use unique enzymes called polyketide synthases to produce chemical building blocks that become anthraquinone compounds. These mushroom enzymes work differently from similar enzymes found in molds and plants, showing that nature independently invented multiple ways to make the same important molecules. This finding reveals how different organisms evolved similar chemical-making abilities through completely different evolutionary paths, and suggests this principle applies to many other mushroom species as well.

Read More »

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

mycolabadmin

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.

Read More »

Fungal pathogens and symbionts: Living off the fat of the land

mycolabadmin

Certain fungi that live exclusively in or on hosts have evolved a clever survival strategy: they stopped making their own fatty acids and instead steal them from their hosts. This includes fungi that cause pneumonia in immunocompromised patients, yeasts on skin, and beneficial fungi that help plants absorb nutrients from soil. By examining how these fungi scavenge fatty acids from their hosts, scientists hope to develop better treatments and diagnostic tools for fungal infections.

Read More »

Convergent evolution links molybdenum insertase domains with organism-specific sequences

mycolabadmin

Scientists discovered that fungi have uniquely evolved a special way to make molybdenum cofactor, a molecule essential for life. When researchers tried to swap the fungal version with versions from plants or animals, the fungi couldn’t survive properly. A specific 20-amino acid section turned out to be critical for the fungus to use nitrate as food. This finding shows that evolution has created highly specialized solutions for the same biological problem in different organisms.

Read More »

Genomic Exploration of Climate-driven Evolution and Evolutionary Convergence in Forest Pathogens

mycolabadmin

This study examined three fungal diseases that harm forests to understand how they adapt to different climate conditions. Researchers found that all three pathogens rely on similar genetic changes to adapt to wet and humid environments, despite being very different species. Using computer models, they predicted how these diseases might spread differently as climate changes in the future, which could help forest managers prepare and protect trees.

Read More »
Scroll to Top