phylogenetic analysis – Page 35

Identification and Pathogenicity of Fusarium Fungi Associated with Dry Rot of Potato Tubers

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Researchers identified different Fusarium fungi causing potato dry rot in Russia and tested how they grow at various temperatures and how aggressively they damage potatoes. They found that F. sambucinum is the most dangerous because it can grow and cause rot even during cold storage, unlike other species. This research helps farmers understand which pathogens threaten their crops and how storage conditions affect disease development.

High-Resolution Core Gene-Associated Multiple Nucleotide Polymorphism (cgMNP) Markers for Strain Identification in the Wine Cap Mushroom Stropharia rugosoannulata

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Scientists developed a new genetic tool called cgMNP markers to accurately identify different strains of wine cap mushrooms (Stropharia rugosoannulata). By analyzing the DNA of 105 mushroom strains collected from across China, they discovered that a single gene containing 865 genetic variations was sufficient to distinguish between all cultivated varieties. This breakthrough provides a practical way for mushroom farmers and researchers to identify specific strains quickly, which is important for breeding better mushrooms and maintaining quality in commercial production.

The Kelch Repeat Protein VdKeR1 Is Essential for Development, Ergosterol Metabolism, and Virulence in Verticillium dahliae

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Verticillium dahliae is a serious fungal disease that kills many important crops like cotton and tomato by clogging their water-conducting vessels. Scientists discovered a protein called VdKeR1 that helps this fungus grow and cause disease by controlling how it makes ergosterol, a crucial component of fungal cell membranes. When researchers removed this protein, the fungus grew poorly, couldn’t form survival structures, and was much less dangerous to plants.

The fungal STRIPAK complex: Cellular conductor orchestrating growth and pathogenicity

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The STRIPAK complex is a cellular control hub found in fungi that acts like a conductor orchestrating multiple cellular processes essential for fungal growth and the ability to cause disease. Scientists have discovered that this complex is highly conserved across different fungal species and regulates critical virulence factors like melanin production and capsule formation in pathogenic fungi. Because the fungal version differs from the human version, it presents a promising target for developing selective antifungal medications. Understanding how STRIPAK works provides insights into how fungi cause infections and could lead to new treatment strategies.

Screening of yeasts in the oral microbiota of bats (Chiroptera) in Piauí, Brazil

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Researchers collected oral samples from 47 bats in Brazil and found that over 40% carried yeast species, including some dangerous types like Candida albicans that cause infections in humans. The study identified that bats living near human settlements may serve as reservoirs for these disease-causing fungi, especially during rainy seasons when conditions favor yeast growth. This discovery highlights the importance of monitoring wildlife for infectious diseases to prevent them from spreading to humans.

Elucidation of Twig Canker and Shoot Blight (TCSB) in Peach Caused by Diaporthe amygdali in the North of Italy in Emilia-Romagna

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Peach trees in northern Italy are suffering from a disease called twig canker and shoot blight caused by a fungus called Diaporthe amygdali. This research identified and characterized this fungus from affected orchards, studying how it grows at different temperatures to better understand and control the disease. The fungus grows best around 23-24°C and can survive extreme heat above 50°C. These findings will help fruit growers develop better strategies to protect their peach crops.

Phaeoacremonium tuscanicum and Phaeoacremonium indicum sp. nov. associated with subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis

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Researchers identified two cases of rare fungal skin infections caused by Phaeoacremonium species. One case involved a new fungal species named Phaeoacremonium indicum discovered in an Indian patient, while the second case from Australia represented the first documented human infection with P. tuscanicum. Both patients were successfully treated through surgical removal of the infected tissue, though one patient was immunocompromised from a kidney transplant. This study highlights how genetic testing helps identify rare fungal species that cause human infections.

Mucor germinans, a novel dimorphic species resembling Paracoccidioides in a clinical sample: questions on ecological strategy

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Researchers identified a new fungal species called Mucor germinans from a patient with Burkitt lymphoma that can switch between filamentous and yeast-like forms. This is unusual because Mucor species are typically identified by their thread-like filaments, not budding yeast cells. The yeast form appeared at body temperature and resembled a different fungus called Paracoccidioides, potentially causing misdiagnosis. The discovery emphasizes the importance of recognizing that some Mucor infections may present with yeast-like cells and highlights the need for rapid, accurate identification to guide appropriate antifungal treatment.

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.

Unraveling the mycobiota of Daqu at the species level using metabarcoding of full-length ITS sequences

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Daqu is a special fermentation starter used to make Baijiu, a traditional Chinese alcohol. Researchers analyzed fungi in 296 Daqu samples from across China using advanced DNA sequencing technology. They identified 86 different fungal species and found that the types of fungi present depend on both the temperature during fermentation and the geographic region where the Daqu is made. These findings could help improve the quality and consistency of Baijiu production.

Research Keyword: phylogenetic analysis