Research Keyword: heterologous expression

Carabrone inhibits Gaeumannomyces tritici growth by targeting mitochondrial complex I and destabilizing NAD⁺/NADH homeostasis

Researchers identified how carabrone, a natural compound from plants, kills a fungus that causes wheat disease. The compound works by blocking a key energy-producing system (complex I) inside the fungus’s cells, which prevents it from producing enough energy to survive. This discovery is important because many current fungicides are losing effectiveness due to resistance, and this compound offers a new way to attack fungi. The findings could help develop new and more effective fungicides for protecting crops.

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Rediscovery of viomellein as an antibacterial compound and identification of its biosynthetic gene cluster in dermatophytes

Researchers discovered that dermatophytes, fungi that cause common skin infections like athlete’s foot, produce a red pigment called viomellein that kills bacteria. By studying the genes responsible for making this compound, scientists found that most dermatophytes produce it, which may help explain how these fungi establish infections on skin despite the presence of protective bacteria. This discovery opens new possibilities for understanding skin infections and potentially developing new treatments.

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Itraconazole resistance in Madurella fahalii linked to a distinct homolog of the gene encoding cytochrome P450 14-α sterol demethylase (CYP51)

A fungal infection called mycetoma caused by Madurella fahalii doesn’t respond to a common antifungal drug called itraconazole. Researchers discovered that this fungus has an extra gene that produces a protein that resists the drug, which isn’t found in a similar fungus that remains susceptible. This finding could help develop better treatments for mycetoma patients in the future.

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Engineered biosynthesis and characterization of disaccharide-pimaricin

Scientists successfully created a genetically engineered bacterium that produces a safer version of an antifungal drug called pimaricin. The new version, called disaccharide-pimaricin, dissolves much better in water and causes significantly less damage to human blood cells, making it a much safer option for treating fungal infections. Although it’s slightly less effective at killing fungi, the improvement in safety and solubility makes it a promising candidate for treating eye infections and other fungal diseases.

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