Research Keyword: gene fusion

Convergent evolution links molybdenum insertase domains with organism-specific sequences

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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.

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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.

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Convergent evolution links molybdenum insertase domains with organism-specific sequences

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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.

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