Researchers studied a gene called Sec2p in a dangerous fungus that causes serious lung infections in people with weak immune systems. By removing this gene, they found the fungus grew slower, caused less damage, and fewer infected mice died. This discovery suggests that blocking Sec2p could be a new way to treat these fungal infections.
Scientists discovered a special deep-sea fungus from the Mariana Trench (nearly 7 miles deep) and studied how it survives extreme pressure and harsh conditions. By examining its DNA and turning off a specific gene called hog1, they found this gene is crucial for the fungus to handle stress and produce energy. Understanding how this deep-sea fungus adapts could help us develop stronger microorganisms for various applications and better understand how life survives in Earth’s most extreme environments.
Scientists studied three proteins (Rab GTPases) in a fungal pathogen that causes cabbage wilt disease. These proteins act like traffic controllers, directing materials within fungal cells to support growth and disease spread. By removing these genes one at a time, researchers found that all three proteins are essential for the fungus to infect plants, produce spores, and survive stress conditions. This research could eventually help develop new ways to control this destructive crop disease.
Arthrobotrys flagrans is a fungus that acts as a natural pest controller by trapping and killing parasitic nematodes that damage crops and livestock. Scientists studied three key genes in this fungus that contain CFEM protein domains and found they are critical for forming sticky traps and controlling how deadly the fungus is to nematodes. The research shows that when certain CFEM genes are removed, the fungus produces stickier traps and kills more nematodes, while removing other CFEM genes has the opposite effect, providing insights for developing better biocontrol products.
Researchers discovered that removing the Aokap9 gene in the fungus Aspergillus oryzae doubles the production of kojic acid, a valuable chemical used in skin-whitening cosmetics and food preservation. By combining the Aokap9 gene removal with modifications to other genes (kojR and AozfA), they achieved even higher production levels. This research provides a practical pathway for creating high-yield strains that can produce kojic acid more efficiently for commercial applications.