fungal metabolism – Page 2

Transcription factor RonA-driven GlcNAc catabolism is essential for growth, cell wall integrity, and pathogenicity in Aspergillus fumigatus

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Researchers identified how a deadly fungus called Aspergillus fumigatus uses a special nutrient (GlcNAc) to survive and cause disease. They found that a protein called RonA controls this nutrient processing and also helps the fungus hide from the immune system by building a protective outer coating. When RonA is disabled, the fungus becomes much less dangerous because the immune system can recognize it better. This discovery suggests RonA could be a new target for developing antifungal drugs.

Mycosynthesis of Metal-Containing Nanoparticles—Synthesis by Ascomycetes and Basidiomycetes and Their Application

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Scientists have discovered that common fungi like mushrooms and molds can produce tiny nanoparticles that fight bacteria, kill cancer cells, and speed up chemical reactions. This fungal method is much cheaper, safer, and more environmentally friendly than traditional chemical production methods. The nanoparticles can be used in medical treatments, wound dressings, water purification, and farming as natural fertilizers and pesticides.

Nanoscale Characterization of Fungal-Induced CaCO3 Precipitation: Implications for Self-Healing Concrete

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Researchers studied how fungi can help repair concrete cracks by producing calcium carbonate (similar to limestone) using advanced microscopy techniques. They found that three types of fungi all produced stable calcite crystals, which is good for making durable self-healing concrete. The study shows exactly how fungi work at the tiny nanoscale level to create these minerals, providing important information for developing better crack-healing concrete that could reduce environmental impact.

Genetic Ablation of the Conidiogenesis Regulator Enhances Mycoprotein Production

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Researchers created genetically modified versions of a fungus (Fusarium venenatum) used to make mycoprotein, a meat alternative. By removing a gene controlling spore formation, they increased fungal growth by 22%, which could significantly reduce production costs. The modified fungus also contained more amino acids and showed no safety concerns in lab tests, making it a promising advancement for sustainable food production.

Label-Free Optical Transmission Tomography for Direct Mycological Examination and Monitoring of Intracellular Dynamics

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Scientists have developed a new imaging technology called optical transmission tomography that can directly observe living fungi without staining or special dyes. This technique reveals not only the structure of fungal cells but also shows their internal activity and metabolism in real-time. When combined with artificial intelligence, this technology could help doctors quickly identify dangerous fungal infections and choose the best treatments, potentially saving lives by speeding up diagnosis.

Molecular Regulation of Carotenoid Accumulation Enhanced by Oxidative Stress in the Food Industrial Strain Blakeslea trispora

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Researchers studied how stressful conditions can make a fungus called Blakeslea trispora produce more carotenoids, which are natural pigments used to color food products. When exposed to chemical stressors like rose bengal or hydrogen peroxide, the fungus produced significantly more carotenoids – up to four times more in some cases. The study identified specific genes and cellular pathways responsible for this increased production, which could help food companies produce natural food colorants more efficiently.

Dissecting the complex regulation of pentose utilization in Aspergillus niger

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This research identifies how the fungus Aspergillus niger recognizes and responds to different types of sugars found in plant cell walls. Scientists discovered that the fungus uses two control proteins (AraR and XlnR) that are activated by specific sugar molecules: L-arabitol for AraR and D-xylose for XlnR. Importantly, the fungus can distinguish between left and right-handed versions of these sugars, showing remarkable chemical specificity. This understanding is important for biotechnology applications including biofuel and biochemical production.

Modulation of Abortiporus biennis Response to Oxidative Stress by Light as a New Eco-Friendly Approach with a Biotechnological Perspective

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Researchers studied how a type of fungus called Abortiporus biennis responds to stress created by a chemical compound (menadione) and different colors of light. They found that combining white light with menadione dramatically increased the production of laccase, an important enzyme used in industrial applications. This discovery offers an inexpensive, non-toxic way to boost enzyme production without using expensive chemical additives, potentially improving medical and industrial uses of this fungus.

Influence of Culture Conditions on Bioactive Compounds in Cordyceps militaris: A Comprehensive Review

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Cordyceps militaris is a medicinal fungus used traditionally for treating fatigue, boosting immunity, and managing various health conditions. This comprehensive review explains how different growing methods, nutrients, light, temperature, and substrate materials affect the production of beneficial compounds in the fungus. The findings show that mixing grains with insect materials and using specific light conditions can significantly increase production of cordycepin, the most promising compound for cancer and immune health. The review identifies that more standardized growing methods and better understanding of the fungus’s metabolism are needed to make large-scale production practical and affordable.

Deciphering the phenol degradation metabolic pathway in Scedosporium apiospermum HDO1

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This research demonstrates how the fungus Scedosporium apiospermum breaks down phenol, a toxic industrial pollutant. By analyzing which genes the fungus activates when consuming phenol, scientists identified two specific chemical pathways the fungus uses to degrade this contaminant. This discovery shows promise for using this fungus to clean polluted soils and water, offering a natural biological solution to environmental contamination.

Research Keyword: fungal metabolism