Get the latest Science News and Discoveries

These mushrooms have “massively expanded” genomes to make them more adaptable to multiple lifestyles - EurekAlert


A study of multiple Mycena mushroom species reported in the journal Cell Genomics has found that they have unexpectedly large genomes. While the mushrooms had been thought to be purely saprotrophic – living by degrading dead organic material alone – the discovery suggests that they may instead have a collection of genes to enable them to adapt to different lifestyles as circumstances change. Interestingly, they show certain Mycena strains living in the Arctic have some of the largest mushroom genomes ever described.   These mushrooms show widespread growth across their genome. This includes not only the genes that help them invade or interact with plants and break down carbon, but also genes whose functions are not yet known but are likely important. Additionally, there are many repetitive, non-coding elements and genes that they have acquired from other, unrelated fungi through horizontal gene transfer. 

None

Get the Android app

Or read this on Eureka Alert

Read more on:

Photo of multiple lifestyles

multiple lifestyles

Photo of Genomes

Genomes

Photo of Mushrooms

Mushrooms

Related news:

News photo

Take-off! Researchers map fly’s neural networ - EurekAlert

News photo

Rice and MD Anderson launch Cancer Bioengineering Collaborative - EurekAlert

News photo

Long-standing marine mystery solved: How algae get nitrogen to grow - EurekAlert