Insights into the Aquatic Fungus Blastocladiella emersonii
Author Information
Author(s): Karina F. Ribichich, Georg Raphaela C., Gomes Suely L.
Primary Institution: Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo
Hypothesis
Can ancestral characteristics of fungi and animals be identified in the aquatic fungus Blastocladiella emersonii?
Conclusion
The study identified sequences in B. emersonii that were previously thought to be specific to animals or plants, indicating its unique evolutionary position.
Supporting Evidence
- B. emersonii sequences were identified as putatively absent from other fungi or not previously described.
- Possible orthologues of genes specific to animals and/or plants were found in B. emersonii.
- Genes conserved in fungi showed a large difference in divergence rate in B. emersonii.
Takeaway
Scientists studied a water fungus and found genes that are usually only seen in animals and plants, showing that this fungus is more special than we thought.
Methodology
The study used comparative analyses of expressed sequence tags (ESTs) from B. emersonii against databases of fungal, animal, and plant proteins.
Limitations
The study's findings are based on comparative analyses, which may not capture all relevant sequences due to database limitations.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website