Research Keyword: molecular evolution

Comparative Mitogenomics Provides Valuable Insights for the Phylogeny and New DNA Barcodes of Ganoderma

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Researchers successfully sequenced the mitochondrial genomes of four commonly cultivated medicinal mushroom species in the Ganoderma genus. They identified two specific genes, atp9 and nad4L, as reliable molecular barcodes that can accurately distinguish between different Ganoderma species. These DNA barcodes serve as a universal identification tool, similar to product barcodes in supermarkets, helping to identify and classify Ganoderma species for medicinal and commercial purposes.

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Gut fungal profiles reveal phylosymbiosis and codiversification across humans and nonhuman primates

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This research reveals that fungi living in primate guts follow evolutionary patterns similar to their hosts, suggesting these fungi are not just temporary visitors from diet but long-term residents. By comparing gut fungal communities across humans, chimpanzees, gorillas, and other primates, scientists found that closely related species harbor similar fungi. Some fungal species even appear to have evolved alongside their primate hosts over millions of years, indicating deep evolutionary partnerships.

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Dermatophytes adaptation to the human host exemplified by Microsporum canis

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Researchers studied how fungi that normally infect cats and dogs are adapting to infect humans. By comparing the genes of zoophilic (animal-loving) and anthropophilic (human-loving) Microsporum species, they found that human-adapted strains have developed specific proteins that help them survive in the acidic environment of human skin. These fungi have evolved special enzymes for breaking down keratin and tolerating the lipid-rich, acidic conditions of human skin better than their animal-loving relatives.

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

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Mycophenolic acid is an important drug that helps transplant patients by preventing their immune systems from rejecting new organs. Scientists studied the genes that fungi use to make this drug and found it in several fungal species. They discovered that this ability to produce the drug evolved a long time ago in fungi but was lost in most species over time, remaining only in a few special fungi.

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