Research Keyword: sexual reproduction

Polycomb repressive complex 2 regulates sexual development in Neurospora crassa

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This research reveals how fungi control the timing of sexual reproduction using a molecular switch called PRC2. Like a safety lock on a complex machine, PRC2 keeps genes needed for fruiting body formation turned off until the right conditions occur (fertilization). When PRC2 stops working, fungi prematurely attempt to form reproductive structures even without a mating partner. This study shows how epigenetic control prevents wasteful development and ensures organisms reproduce only when conditions are favorable.

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Evidence for the Existence of Mating Subtypes Within the Schizophyllum commune: Mating Behavior and Genetic Divergence

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Researchers discovered that a common fungus called Schizophyllum commune has hidden genetic subtypes within its mating types that weren’t recognized before. By studying 149 fungal strains and analyzing their mating behavior, they found that fungi with the same mating type could still behave differently when reproducing. Specific genes controlling pheromone chemicals were identified as responsible for these differences, revealing more complexity in fungal reproduction than previously understood.

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Schizophyllum commune

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Schizophyllum commune, commonly known as the split-gill mushroom, is a fungus that grows on wood and was historically considered just a common environmental organism. However, scientists discovered in 1950 that this mushroom could actually infect human tissue, causing conditions like nail infections. This discovery was surprising because mushrooms were not previously known to infect living animals. Today, researchers recognize it as an emerging fungal pathogen that can pose health risks to humans.

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