This research reveals how mating-type genes control fruiting body development in morel mushrooms. Scientists found that both mating types need to be present for proper fruiting body formation, and that single mating-type fruiting bodies have smaller, malformed spores. Understanding this genetic mechanism could help improve morel cultivation and breeding programs.
Scientists discovered that a protein called PRMT5 controls how much cellulase enzyme the medicinal mushroom Ganoderma lucidum produces. When PRMT5 activates a specific gene called eg2 through a molecular modification of histone proteins, the mushroom produces more cellulase. This enzyme is valuable for breaking down plant waste into useful sugars for industrial and bioenergy applications. This research could help develop better enzyme-producing strains for industries that need cellulase.
Polyamines are natural compounds that act like chemical switches controlling how fungi produce useful medicines like antibiotics and statins. These molecules work by attaching to DNA and modifying histone proteins, which turns on or off the genes responsible for making pharmaceutical compounds. This research reveals that understanding polyamine control could help scientists increase antibiotic production and make plants more resistant to fungal diseases.