horizontal gene transfer – Page 2

Occurrence and Distribution of Antibiotics and Antibiotic Resistance Genes in the Water and Sediments of Reservoir-Based Drinking Water Sources in Henan, China

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This study examined three drinking water reservoirs in China to understand how antibiotic-resistant bacteria spread through water and sediment. Researchers found that mobile genetic elements (like integrons) play a bigger role than antibiotics themselves in spreading resistance genes among bacteria. One reservoir, Jian’gang, naturally removed most resistance genes as water flowed through, suggesting its natural purification processes are quite effective. Understanding how these factors work together helps protect drinking water supplies from antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Sanctuary: a Starship transposon facilitating the movement of the virulence factor ToxA in fungal wheat pathogens

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Researchers found that a disease-causing gene called ToxA, which helps fungal pathogens infect wheat crops, travels between different fungal species using molecular ‘cargo ships’ called Starship transposons. By sequencing multiple fungal isolates, scientists discovered that ToxA rides within a larger mobile genetic element called Sanctuary that can move around within fungal genomes and between species. This discovery helps explain how wheat pathogens become more dangerous over time through horizontal gene transfer.

Tracing the Origin and Evolution of the Fungal Mycophenolic Acid Biosynthesis Pathway

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Scientists studied how different mold species produce mycophenolic acid (MPA), a drug used to prevent transplant rejection in millions of patients worldwide. By examining the genomes of nearly 500 fungal species, they discovered which molds can make MPA and how they evolved this ability. The research found that MPA-producing fungi all have special resistance mechanisms to protect themselves from the toxic compound they produce, and these protection strategies differ between species.

Editorial: Unraveling pathogen-plant-microbiome interactions in horticultural crops through omics approaches

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This editorial presents a collection of research on how diseases affect valuable crops like tomatoes, tea, and potatoes. Scientists used advanced genetic and molecular techniques to understand how pathogens infect plants and how the beneficial microbes around plant roots can help fight disease. The studies suggest that managing crop diseases sustainably requires understanding the complex interactions between pathogens, plants, and their microbial communities.

Genomic Insights into Vaccinium spp. Endophytes B. halotolerans and B. velezensis and Their Antimicrobial Potential

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Scientists discovered that wild berries like blueberries, cranberries, and lingonberries contain beneficial bacteria that can fight harmful fungi and bacteria. These bacteria produce natural antimicrobial compounds similar to how antibiotics work, making them promising candidates for protecting crops without chemical pesticides. The bacteria also help plants absorb nutrients and cope with stress, offering multiple benefits for sustainable agriculture.

A timetree of Fungi dated with fossils and horizontal gene transfers

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Scientists created a detailed family tree of fungi showing when different fungal groups evolved, dating back up to 1.4 billion years ago. They used information from fossils, genes shared between distantly related fungi, and chemical evidence to figure out the timeline. The results suggest that fungi interacted with early algae ancestors of plants for a very long time before modern plants took over land.

Exploring Mitochondrial Heterogeneity and Evolutionary Dynamics in Thelephora ganbajun through Population Genomics

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Scientists studied the mitochondrial DNA of an edible mushroom species found only in Yunnan, China, called Thelephora ganbajun. They discovered that these mushrooms have unusual genetic diversity in their mitochondria, with multiple different versions of certain genes coexisting within individual organisms. This genetic flexibility appears to be an adaptation that helps the species survive in diverse environmental conditions and prevents the accumulation of harmful mutations.

A timetree of Fungi dated with fossils and horizontal gene transfers

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Scientists created a detailed family tree showing when different types of fungi first evolved, going back over 1.4 billion years. They used fossil evidence and genetic information from fungi to figure out these ancient timelines. The study suggests that fungi and early plant ancestors interacted far earlier than previously thought, with a long gap before modern plants colonized land. This research helps us understand how fungi shaped the early evolution of life on Earth.

Biodiversity-Driven Natural Products and Bioactive Metabolites

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This comprehensive review explores how diverse organisms like plants, fungi, and marine creatures produce remarkable chemical compounds for survival and defense. These natural products have inspired many modern medicines, but scientists now understand that the chemical diversity comes not just from the organisms themselves but from their ecological interactions and environmental challenges. By studying how these chemicals are made and what triggers their production, researchers can discover new drugs and medicines while protecting the ecosystems that generate them.

Exploring Fungal Communication Mechanisms in the Rhizosphere Microbiome for a Sustainable Green Agriculture

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Fungi in soil communicate with each other and plants through chemical signals, forming protective layers called biofilms that help them cooperate and survive. These fungal communication networks can be either beneficial, helping plants grow and fight diseases, or harmful, causing crop infections and producing toxins. By better understanding how fungi talk to each other, scientists can develop natural ways to improve agriculture and clean up polluted soils without using harmful chemicals.

Research Keyword: horizontal gene transfer