Research Topic: gene regulation

Transcription Factor PFB1 Is Required for the Botrytis cinerea Effector BcSCR1-Mediated Pathogenesis

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Researchers discovered how a fungal disease (grey mould) spreads by identifying a toxic protein it produces that disables a plant’s defense system. The fungal protein BcSCR1 sneaks into plant cells and targets a control switch called PFB1 that normally turns on genes protecting plants from infection. By blocking this control switch, the fungus weakens the plant’s immune defenses and establishes infection more easily.

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New insights into temperature-impacted mycovirus-fungus interactions regulated by a microRNA in Lentinula edodes

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When shiitake mushrooms are infected with a virus and exposed to heat stress, the virus replicates more aggressively, which makes the mushrooms more susceptible to heat damage and competitive fungi. Researchers discovered that a small regulatory RNA molecule called led-milR-21 plays a key role in this process by suppressing the mushroom’s heat defense mechanisms when the virus is present. This discovery is important because it shows how viruses can exploit heat stress to overcome fungal defenses, with implications for mushroom cultivation in a warming climate.

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Aokap9 gene knockout contributes to kojic acid synthesis in Aspergillus oryzae

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Researchers discovered that removing the Aokap9 gene in the fungus Aspergillus oryzae doubles the production of kojic acid, a valuable chemical used in skin-whitening cosmetics and food preservation. By combining the Aokap9 gene removal with modifications to other genes (kojR and AozfA), they achieved even higher production levels. This research provides a practical pathway for creating high-yield strains that can produce kojic acid more efficiently for commercial applications.

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The Zn(II)2-Cys6-type zinc finger protein AoKap7 is involved in the growth, oxidative stress and kojic acid synthesis in Aspergillus oryzae

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Researchers studied a protein called AoKap7 in a fungus used to produce kojic acid, which is found in many cosmetic and food products. By deleting this protein gene, they found that fungi grew faster but produced much less kojic acid and were more sensitive to stress. The protein works as a master switch that controls both how fast the fungus grows and how much of the valuable kojic acid it makes.

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