MycoWeekly Newsletter

Your Weekly Dose of Mycology Research

Ketosynthase Domain Catalyzes β-Lactonization in the Biosynthesis of the HMG-CoA Synthase Inhibitor Hymeglusin.

2025-07-09
Journal of the American Chemical Society • Level 3 (4 panels)
Mizuki Hirokawa, T. Ozaki, Kento Tsukada, Akihiro Sugawara, Yohei Morishita, Teigo Asai

In a groundbreaking study, researchers elucidate the biosynthesis of hymeglusin, a fungal polyketide with a pivotal β-lactone ring, in Nigrospora fungi. Key findings reveal that the ketosynthase domain in highly reducing polyketide synthases catalyzes β-lactonization, a noncanonical function crucial for combating MRSA by inhibiting HMG-CoA synthase effectively.

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Enzyme-Assisted Confined Synthesis of Metal Nanoparticles in Covalent Organic Frameworks for Efficient Enzyme-Metal Cascade Catalysis.

2025-07-08
Angewandte Chemie • Level 3 (4 panels)
Qin Wang, Chunyan Xing, Meng Feng, Yuying Yang, Dianshen Pang, Xiao Feng, Yuanyuan Zhang, Boran Wang

In enzyme-metal cascade catalysis, integrating enzymatic and metal catalysts poses compatibility challenges. Researchers have developed a method confining metal nanoparticles within covalent organic frameworks to enhance stability and synergy. Using Pd and Candida antarctica lipase B, this approach achieved remarkable efficiency in dynamic kinetic resolution, offering high yield, enantiomeric purity, and recyclability.

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Antiadhesive glycoconjugate metal complexes targeting pathogens Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans.

2025-07-02
Organic and biomolecular chemistry • Level 2 (4 panels)
Karolina Wojtczak, É. Gillon, Diana Bura, Karen Richmond, Megan Joyce, Emma Caraher, Keela Kessie, Trinidad Velasco-Torrijos, Cristina Trujillo, A. Imberty, Kevin Kavanagh, Gordon Cooke, Joseph P Byrne

Glycoconjugates, molecules that can interact with carbohydrate-binding proteins, serve as a foundation for designing antimicrobial agents. Recent research highlights the superior anti-adhesive efficacy of Eu(III) complexes in inhibiting Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans, achieving up to 62% reduction in adhesion. These findings underscore the enhanced potential of metal coordination in improving the biological activity of glycoconjugates.

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Fungi present distinguishable isotopic signals in their lipids when grown on glycolytic versus tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates

2025-07-01
Biogeosciences • Level 2 (5 panels)
S. Jabinski, Vítězslav Kučera, Marek Kopáček, J. Jansa, T. Meador

This study employs dual hydrogen and carbon stable isotope probing to discern fungi's isotopic lipid signals based on their growth on glycolytic versus tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates. Findings reveal higher water-derived hydrogen incorporation during growth on succinate, indicating potential for distinguishing substrate utilization pathways in microbial communities.

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