Phylogenetic and functional analyses of -methyladenosine RNA methylation factors in the wheat scab fungus .

In eukaryotes, -methyladenosine (mA) RNA modification plays a crucial role in governing the fate of RNA molecules and has been linked to various developmental processes. However, the phyletic distribution and functions of genetic factors responsible for mA modification remain largely unexplored in fungi. To get insights into the evolution of mA machineries, we reconstructed global phylogenies of potential mA writers, readers, and erasers in fungi.

Transcriptional Divergence Underpinning Sexual Development in the Fungal Class Sordariomycetes.

Gene expression divergence through evolutionary processes is thought to be important for achieving programmed development in multicellular organisms. To test this premise in filamentous fungi, we investigated transcriptional profiles of 3,942 single-copy orthologous genes (SCOGs) in five related sordariomycete species that have morphologically diverged in the formation of their flask-shaped perithecia. We compared expression of the SCOGs to inferred gene expression levels of the most recent common ancestor of the five species, ranking genes from their largest increases to smallest increases in expression during perithecial development in each of the five species.

Effect of Isolation Conditions on Diversity of Endolichenic Fungal Communities from a Foliose Lichen, .

Endolichenic fungi (ELF) are emerging novel bioresources because their diverse secondary metabolites have a wide range of biological activities. Metagenomic analysis of lichen thalli demonstrated that the conventional isolation method of ELF covers a very limited range of ELF, and the development of an advanced isolation method is needed. The influence of four variables were investigated in this study to determine the suitable conditions for the isolation of more diverse ELF from a radially growing foliose lichen, Four variables were tested: age of the thallus, severity of surface-sterilization of the thallus, size of a thallus fragment for the inoculation, and nutrient requirement.

Identification of Headspace Volatile Compounds of Blended Coffee and Application to Principal Component Analysis.

Coffee can be blended to create a variety of products to meet consumer's needs. In order to uncover the blending effect of coffee beans, we performed an experiment using principal component analysis (PCA). Twelve varieties of green beans were tested in 11 experimental groups, and the volatile compounds of the beans were analyzed.