structural polymorphism

Spatiotemporal fluctuations in fluorescence intensity of rhodamine phalloidin–labeled actin filaments

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Researchers discovered that fluorescent labels attached to actin filaments (cell structures involved in movement and shape) don’t glow uniformly along their length. Instead, they create a mottled pattern of bright and dark regions. This happens because the filament structure varies along its length, affecting how many labels stick to different parts. Interestingly, when the cell’s energy molecule contains a phosphate group, the filament structure becomes more uniform and the pattern disappears.

Revealing structure and shaping priorities in plant and fungal cell wall architecture via solid-state NMR

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This review explains how scientists use a special type of microscopy called solid-state NMR to study the protective outer layers of fungi and plants. The research shows that fungal pathogens can cleverly rearrange their cell walls to resist antifungal medicines, and that plants carefully organize their cell walls during growth by forming specific connections between different molecules. Understanding these structures at the molecular level could help develop better antifungal treatments and improve how we use plant biomass for biofuels and materials.

Breaking down the wall: Solid-state NMR illuminates how fungi build and remodel diverse cell walls

mycolabadmin

Scientists have developed a new technique called solid-state NMR that can examine fungal cell walls without damaging them, revealing how these structures are built and reorganized. This research shows that different fungi have different wall architectures made of sugar-like molecules including chitin and various glucans, and that fungi can quickly adapt their walls when exposed to antifungal drugs. These findings could help develop better antifungal treatments by targeting the specific structural features that different fungi rely on for survival.

Research Keyword: structural polymorphism

Spatiotemporal fluctuations in fluorescence intensity of rhodamine phalloidin–labeled actin filaments

Revealing structure and shaping priorities in plant and fungal cell wall architecture via solid-state NMR

Breaking down the wall: Solid-state NMR illuminates how fungi build and remodel diverse cell walls