Avi Blizovsky
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First genome of a filamentous fungus is deciphered
This is a study by about 70 researchers from 6 countries, among them Prof. Oded Jordan from the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences of the Hebrew University, which was published this weekend in the prestigious journal Nature
Prof. Jordan: "Decoding the first complete genome sequence of a filamentous fungus is a breakthrough for a deeper understanding of the genetic basis of the representative of the mushroom kingdom"
77 researchers from 7 countries in the world, among them Prof. Oded Jordan from the Faculty of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences of the Hebrew University, deciphered the first genome of a filamentous fungus. This fungus was used as a basis for determining the relationship between genes and proteins (a Nobel Prize was awarded for this discovery about 50 years ago). This research was published over the weekend in the prestigious journal Nature.
"Decoding the first full genome sequence of a filamentous fungus is a breakthrough for a deeper understanding of the genetic basis of the representative of the mushroom kingdom. The findings have implications for other living things, including humans (many of the basic cellular processes in fungi are the same as those that occur in animals, a fact that enables the advancement of research in parallel research systems.) In addition, it was found that a considerable number of human genes for which it is known that defects in them may to cause diseases, there are parallels in fungi. The ease and speed with which research can be carried out in fungi will allow the acceleration of research on the structure and function of these genes, information that will facilitate therapeutic intervention in the future. and mushrooms similar to it."
"Decoding the genome opens the door to extensive future activity. According to the information available today, about 40% of the genes found have no corresponding genes in any other organism. It is likely that among the many genes unique to the fungus, certain genes can be activated to create antifungal substances that will be used in medicine and agriculture."
"In addition, genetic mapping has broken a path to intervene in the processes of development and production of proteins in the filamentous fungus and other fungi. This fact has many potential meanings in the field of biotechnology. It is possible and in the future it will be possible to change and improve natural products produced by fungi such as antibiotic drugs. Mushrooms can be used as "home- A factory for proteins, to improve the production of hormones artificially.
According to Prof. Oded Yordan: "Items from the mushroom kingdom, which numbers more than a million types of fungi, inhabit every known niche. There are fungi, among them various molds, that cause diseases in humans, animals, and plants. There are fungi that produce toxins, among them those that have the potential to be used as a means of biological warfare. There are fungi that produce Substances with "positive" activity such as substances from which antibiotic drugs can be derived. Certain fungi are "factories" for proteins used in industry, such as: an ingredient
The "bio" (the enzyme used to break down fats and proteins) in the washing powders, in many cases, originates from fungi. There is, of course, also a variety of edible mushrooms."
"The genetic mapping shows that the fungus has about 10,000 genes, a number that is between half and a quarter of the number of genes estimated to exist in humans, and almost double that of bacteria. Based on the decoding of the perfect sequence and the analysis of "gene families", it can be seen that the filamentous fungus has several highly effective mechanisms , which protect the genome from foreign penetration by factors such as viruses and other genetic factors containing foreign DNA And we prevent the establishment of these factors, so that they do not take advantage of the mushroom's resources and harm it."
"One of the most notable surprises we received is the fact that the filamentous fungus, which is not considered to cause disease, contains a significant number of genes that have so far only been known in disease-causing fungi. This result raises many questions about the evolution of fungi, including the transition between parasitic and independent lifestyles In mushrooms", Prof. Jordan concludes.
The genome scientist - plants
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