Research Keyword: cytochrome P450

Biosynthesis of mushroom-derived type II ganoderic acids by engineered yeast

Scientists successfully engineered baker’s yeast to produce ganoderic acids, potent anti-cancer compounds from medicinal mushrooms, at much higher levels than found in farmed mushrooms. By identifying key enzymes responsible for converting simpler compounds into active ganoderic acids, researchers created yeast strains that produce these valuable compounds 100-10,000 times more efficiently than traditional mushroom farming. This breakthrough could make these expensive medicinal compounds more accessible and affordable for medical research and potential drug development.

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Isavuconazole: Need for therapeutic drug monitoring and CYP polymorphism testing

A patient with a serious fungal infection of the sinuses caused by Rhizopus arrhizus received the antifungal drug isavuconazole. However, blood tests showed the drug was building up to dangerously high levels in her body. Genetic testing revealed she had a mutation that made her body unable to break down the drug normally. The doctors had to give her much smaller and less frequent doses while carefully monitoring her drug levels to keep her safe.

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Iron acquisition in the mutualistic fungus Penicillium herquei: implications of mineral elements in insect-fungus symbiosis

A fungus that lives with beetles has evolved special abilities to collect and store iron, which it shares with its insect partner. Researchers found that this mutualistic fungus produces much higher levels of iron than the plant leaves the beetles would normally eat. The fungus uses special proteins and iron-grabbing molecules to accumulate this essential nutrient, providing a nutritional advantage to the beetle and strengthening their partnership.

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