MycoWeekly Newsletter

Your Weekly Dose of Mycology Research

The Intricate Nonribosomal Assembly of a Potent Antifungal Lipopeptide from the Burkholderia cepacia Complex.

2025-06-02
Journal of the American Chemical Society • Level 3 (4 panels)
Lei Zhong, Agnes Mühlenweg, Dou Hong, Sarah Yammine, Annette Poch, Dingchang Xu, Yasemin Kirimlioglu, Lisa Großgloß, Malo Boulanger, Franziska Graeger, Maria Seidel, Manuel Gemander, Grit Walther, Sebastian Kemper, Tam Dang, Monique Royer, A. Mainz, S. Cociancich, R. Süssmuth

The Burkholderia cepacia complex (BCC), a group of Gram-negative bacteria, includes B. pyrrocinia BC11, which produces the antifungal lipopeptide AFC-BC11. This study reveals the compound's novel N-acyl-tetrapeptide structure and its synthesis, which involves nonclassical pathways lacking condensation domains. Insights into this process could advance antifungal development and elucidate BCC pathogenesis.

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Rates of evolution of developmental changes in gene expression in Sordariomycetes.

2025-06-02
Molecular biology and evolution • Level 3 (7 panels)
Yen-Wen Wang, Fen Wang, Guoliang Meng, Francesc Lopez-Giraldez, Caihong Dong, Zheng Wang, Jeffrey P. Townsend

This study investigates evolutionary rates of gene expression, pivotal in phenotypic development, across nine developmental stages in Sordariomycetes fungi. Findings reveal significant variation in these rates within and among stages, correlating with gene sequence evolution. Notably, expression in carbon metabolism evolves faster than in conserved pathways, highlighting distinct evolutionary pressures.

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Feeding probiotics-fermented distiller's grains diets increases rumen enzyme activities and glycerophospholipid levels in finishing cattle by modulating rumen microbiota

2025-06-02
Microbiome • Level 3 (7 panels)
Rong Zhang, Shihui Mei, Guangxia He, Miaozhan Wei, Lan Chen, Ze Chen, Yuanqi Zhong, Bijun Zhou, Kaigong Wang, Zhentao Cheng, Chunmei Wang, Erpeng Zhu, Chao Chen

Probiotics-fermented distiller's grains (FDG) elevate rumen enzyme activities and glycerophospholipid levels in cattle by altering microbial communities. After 45 days, significant changes were noted: 10% FDG diets boosted Prevotella_1 and fungi like Candida, while 20% FDG increased Bifidobacterium and Plectosphaerella, showcasing dose-dependent benefits.

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Convergent expansions of keystone gene families drive metabolic innovation in Saccharomycotina yeasts.

2025-06-03
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America • Level 3 (24 panels)
Kyle T. David, Joshua G Schraiber, Johnathan G. Crandall, Abigal L. Labella, D. A. Opulente, Marie-Claire Harrison, John F. Wolters, Xiaofan Zhou, Xingxing Shen, M. Groenewald, C. T. Hittinger, Matt Pennell, A. Rokas

In a comprehensive study of Saccharomycotina yeasts, researchers examined the link between gene family dynamics and metabolic trait emergence. By analyzing 993 yeast strains, they found that gene family changes corresponded significantly with trait shifts in 80% of cases. Notably, several keystone gene families, particularly encoding metabolic enzymes and transporters, were tied to multiple traits, suggesting deeper evolutionary convergence than previously recognized.

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