Research Topic: enzyme biochemistry

Injury-Triggered Blueing Reactions of Psilocybe “Magic” Mushrooms

When magic mushrooms are injured or bruised, they turn blue—a phenomenon that has puzzled scientists for decades. Researchers discovered that two enzymes work together in a two-step process: first, an enzyme removes a protective chemical tag from psilocybin, converting it to psilocin; then, a second enzyme oxidizes this molecule, causing it to link together into larger chains that appear blue. This blue color appears to be a defense mechanism that protects the mushroom from insects.

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L-Rhamnose Dehydrogenase LraA of Aspergillus niger Shows High Substrate Specificity Matching Its Expression Profile

Scientists studied an enzyme called LraA found in a common fungus (Aspergillus niger) that breaks down L-rhamnose, a sugar found in plant cell walls. They discovered that this enzyme is extremely selective and only works on L-rhamnose, unlike most other similar enzymes that can process multiple types of sugars. This makes it very useful for biotechnology applications where researchers want to specifically convert L-rhamnose without affecting other pathways.

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A broadly conserved fungal chorismate mutase targets the plant shikimate pathway to regulate salicylic acid production and other secondary metabolites

Fungal pathogens produce proteins called effectors that help them infect plants. This study discovered that a fungus called Sclerotinia sclerotiorum produces an effector that enters plant cells and travels to chloroplasts. Unlike similar effectors in other fungi, this protein increases the production of salicylic acid, a plant defense hormone, while reducing other protective compounds. This creates conditions favorable for the fungus to establish infection.

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