CRISPR-Cas9 – Page 3

Gene fusion and functional diversification of P450 genes facilitate thermophilic fungal adaptation to temperature change

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Researchers discovered that a thermophilic fungus uses two special genes to adapt to temperature changes. One of these genes is uniquely fused from two different genes, creating a hybrid protein with multiple functions. These genes help the fungus produce iron-binding molecules that stabilize its structure and support its growth when temperatures drop, allowing the fungus to survive in environments from compost piles to stored grains.

The Zn(II)2-Cys6-type zinc finger protein AoKap7 is involved in the growth, oxidative stress and kojic acid synthesis in Aspergillus oryzae

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Scientists studied a protein called AoKap7 in a fungus (Aspergillus oryzae) that produces kojic acid, a substance used in cosmetics and medicine. When they removed this protein, the fungus grew faster but made less kojic acid and became more vulnerable to stress. The researchers found that AoKap7 controls several genes that help the fungus protect itself from harmful molecules and produce kojic acid efficiently.

Botrytis cinerea combines four molecular strategies to tolerate membrane-permeating plant compounds and to increase virulence

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Botrytis cinerea is a fungus that causes plant disease by overcoming plant chemical defenses called saponins. Researchers discovered that this fungus uses four different molecular strategies to survive saponin exposure: it breaks down saponins with an enzyme, modifies membrane structures to resist saponin damage, activates proteins that protect the cell membrane, and repairs membrane damage after it occurs. These findings explain how this fungus successfully infects plants protected by saponins and reveal new understanding of how microorganisms resist antimicrobial compounds.

Microbe Profile: Streptomyces formicae KY5: an ANT-ibiotic factory

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Scientists discovered a special bacterium called Streptomyces formicae living with plant-ants in Africa that produces powerful antibiotics. This bacterium can kill dangerous drug-resistant bacteria and fungi that are hard to treat with current medicines. By using genetic tools, researchers are unlocking the bacterium’s hidden potential to create many more new antibiotics that could help fight infections.

Comparative transcriptome analyses and CRISPR/Cas9-mediated functional study of Tfsdh1 reveal insights into the interaction between Tremella fuciformis and Annulohypoxylon stygium

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White wood ear fungus (Tremella fuciformis) is a popular medicinal mushroom that cannot grow on its own in nature. Researchers studied how it interacts with a companion fungus and discovered that a specific gene called Tfsdh1 is crucial for the mushroom to use sorbitol sugar and grow properly. By using advanced genetic tools to remove this gene, they showed it’s essential for the relationship between the two fungi, offering insights into how to better cultivate this nutritious mushroom.

Recent innovations and challenges in the treatment of fungal infections

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Fungal infections are becoming more common and harder to treat due to drug resistance, especially in people with weakened immune systems. Current antifungal medications are becoming less effective because fungi are adapting to resist them, and these drugs can cause serious side effects. Scientists are developing new treatment strategies using combinations of existing drugs, engineered biological approaches, and specially designed delivery systems to overcome resistance and improve patient outcomes.

Structural and Functional Analysis of Peptides Derived from KEX2-Processed Repeat Proteins in Agaricomycetes Using Reverse Genetics and Peptidomics

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Researchers studied special peptides made by mushrooms that are processed by fungal enzymes called KEX2 and KEX1. They developed a method to find and identify these peptides in mushroom tissues and confirmed they exist in both laboratory and edible mushroom species like shiitake and oyster mushrooms. When they removed the genes for these processing enzymes, the mushrooms had problems growing and forming fruiting bodies, suggesting these enzymes have important roles beyond just processing these specific peptides.

Relative contribution of three transporters to D-xylose uptake in Aspergillus niger

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Researchers studied how three different protein transporters help the fungus Aspergillus niger absorb xylose, a type of sugar found in plant waste. They found that two of these transporters (XltA and XltD) were equally important, while the third (XltB) played a minor role. Interestingly, the fungus could still absorb xylose even without these three transporters, suggesting other backup transporters exist. This finding shows that predicting which transporters are important based on laboratory tests in yeast may not accurately reflect how they work in the original fungus.

Microbe Profile: Streptomyces formicae KY5: an ANT-ibiotic factory

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Scientists have discovered a special bacterium called Streptomyces formicae that lives with ants in African acacia trees and produces powerful antibiotics. This bacterium naturally makes compounds called formicamycins that can kill dangerous antibiotic-resistant bacteria like MRSA, as well as antifungal compounds. Researchers are using advanced gene-editing techniques to unlock more hidden antimicrobial compounds from this bacterium’s genome, which could lead to discovering new medicines to treat infections.

Exploring the Critical Environmental Optima and Biotechnological Prospects of Fungal Fruiting Bodies

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This research identifies the ideal growing conditions for fungal fruiting bodies like mushrooms, showing that temperature around 25°C, high humidity, and proper light exposure are key factors. The study reveals that exceeding these optimal conditions typically harms development more than staying slightly below them. Scientists discovered that fungal fruiting bodies have important uses in medicine, food production, and environmental cleanup, and new genetic technologies like CRISPR could improve cultivation methods for better yields and quality.

Research Keyword: CRISPR-Cas9