MycoWeekly Newsletter

Your Weekly Dose of Mycology Research

Elucidating the Iterative Elongation Mechanism in a Type III Polyketide Synthase.

2025-05-01
Journal of the American Chemical Society • Level 3 (4 panels)
Rebecca N Re, J. L. La Clair, Joseph P Noel, Michael D. Burkart

This study delineates the intricate mechanisms of a type III polyketide synthase, enzymes responsible for producing diverse fungal secondary metabolites with ecological and pharmaceutical significance. Utilizing stable polyketone CoA analogues and high-resolution crystal structures, the research uncovers determinants of iterative chain elongation, revealing a water-mediated hydrogen bonding network's role in this process.

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Oxidative Electrocyclization Assembles 2,2-Dimethyl-2H-pyran in Fungal Indole Alkaloids.

2025-04-30
Angewandte Chemie • Level 3 (4 panels)
Chengjie Zhang, Jingxuan Zhou, Wei Wang, Mingyu Liu, Yuanning Li, Xiang Sheng, Lei Du, Shengying Li

This study investigates 2,2-Dimethyl-2H-pyran (DMP), a pivotal structure in fungal indole alkaloids. It elucidates the biosynthetic pathway responsible for DMP formation, highlighting the berberine bridge-like oxidoreductase VscB. VscB catalyzes an oxidative step, facilitating an electrocyclization that generates a crucial C-O bridge bond, forming the DMP ring.

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Quantitative stable isotope probing (qSIP) and cross-domain networks reveal bacterial-fungal interactions in the hyphosphere

2025-04-30
Microbiome • Level 3 (7 panels)
Giovana S Slanzon, Mengting Yuan, K. Estera-Molina, Aaron Chew, S. Blazewicz, Michael Allen, Mary K. Firestone, J. Pett-Ridge, Nhu H. Nguyen

This study utilizes quantitative stable isotope probing (qSIP) and cross-domain networks to uncover significant bacterial-fungal interactions in California grassland soil. Key findings reveal motile bacterial ASVs, linked to fungal OTUs like Alternaria, highlighting carbon exchange roles. These results enhance understanding of soil carbon dynamics influenced by microbial activity.

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Bikaverin as a molecular weapon: enhancing Fusarium oxysporum pathogenicity in bananas via rhizosphere microbiome manipulation

2025-04-29
Microbiome • Level 3 (7 panels)
Hongling Lu, Suxia Guo, Yongbao Yang, Zhihao Zhao, Qingbiao Xie, Qiong Wu, Changjun Sun, Hongli Luo, Bang An, Qiannan Wang

Bikaverin, a polyketide pigment from Fusarium, indirectly heightens Fusarium oxysporum's pathogenicity in bananas by altering the rhizosphere microbiome. It suppresses beneficial bacteria and promotes fungal dominance. Environmental conditions like pH and nitrogen levels trigger its production. Resistant Bacillus strains may offer biocontrol potential for managing banana wilt.

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