Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 13, 2026

Evaluating Leaf Responses to Microbial Secondary Metabolites Using A High-Throughput Format
05:51

Evaluating Leaf Responses to Microbial Secondary Metabolites Using A High-Throughput Format

Published on: December 5, 2025

510

Leaderless RiPPs expand the repertoire of fungal secondary metabolites

Sung Chul Park1, Livia D S Oster2, Jacob Golan3

  • 1Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
|February 11, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Scientists discovered a new class of leaderless fungal peptides in Amanita mushrooms. These novel peptides are highly expressed in invasive populations, potentially explaining the mushroom

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
  • Mycology
  • Bioinformatics

Background:

  • Ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs) are diverse secondary metabolites found across kingdoms.
  • Fungal RiPP precursors typically contain a leader sequence essential for maturation, as exemplified by MSDIN peptides in toxic Amanita mushrooms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate novel RiPP subclasses in fungi, challenging the canonical understanding of fungal RiPP precursor structures.
  • To identify and characterize leaderless RiPPs in the deadly mushroom Amanita phalloides.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a combination of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and tandem Mass Spectrometry (MS/MS) for structural analysis.
  • Employed an updated bioinformatic pipeline to associate specific MSDIN genes with identified leaderless peptides.
  • Quantified transcript expression levels of leaderless versus canonical MSDIN genes.

Main Results:

  • Discovered a novel subclass of leaderless RiPPs in Amanita phalloides, representing the first empirical example in fungi.
  • Established a direct link between specific MSDIN genes and these leaderless peptides.
  • Observed significantly higher transcript expression for leaderless MSDINs compared to canonical ones, particularly in invasive populations.

Conclusions:

  • Redefined the structural diversity of fungal RiPPs by introducing the concept of leaderless RiPPs.
  • The differential regulation and high expression of non-canonical RiPPs may play a crucial role in the invasion biology of Amanita phalloides.
Keywords:
Amanita phalloidescycloamanidesfungal secondary metabolismleaderless RiPPs

More Related Videos

A Fish-feeding Laboratory Bioassay to Assess the Antipredatory Activity of Secondary Metabolites from the Tissues of Marine Organisms16:03

A Fish-feeding Laboratory Bioassay to Assess the Antipredatory Activity of Secondary Metabolites from the Tissues of Marine Organisms

Published on: January 11, 2015

10.0K
Identification of Mouse and Human Antibody Repertoires by Next-Generation Sequencing08:51

Identification of Mouse and Human Antibody Repertoires by Next-Generation Sequencing

Published on: March 15, 2019

13.1K

Related Concept Videos

Secondary Active Transport01:55

Secondary Active Transport

One example of how cells use the energy contained in electrochemical gradients is demonstrated by glucose transport into cells. The ion vital to this process is sodium (Na+), which is typically present in higher concentrations extracellularly than in the cytosol. Such a concentration difference is due, in part, to the action of an enzyme “pump” embedded in the cellular membrane that actively expels Na+ from a cell. Importantly, as this pump contributes to the high concentration of...
138.2K
Secondary Active Transport01:32

Secondary Active Transport

One example of how cells use the energy contained in electrochemical gradients is demonstrated by glucose transport into cells. The ion vital to this process is sodium (Na+), which is typically present in higher concentrations extracellularly than in the cytosol. Such a concentration difference is due, in part, to the action of an enzyme "pump" embedded in the cellular membrane that actively expels Na+ from a cell. Importantly, as this pump contributes to the high concentration of...
9.8K
Secondary Healthcare System01:11

Secondary Healthcare System

Secondary healthcare is offered by a specialist, generally in hospitals or clinics for patients referred by primary healthcare providers. It occurs when a person has an illness or injury that requires specific medical care. Secondary care is often referred to as acute care. Secondary care can range from uncomplicated care to repair a minor laceration or treat a strep throat infection to more complicated emergent care, such as treating a head injury sustained in an automobile accident. Whatever...
2.1K
Fungal Group Zygomycota01:29

Fungal Group Zygomycota

Zygomycota, previously classified as a distinct fungal group, are primarily terrestrial, saprophytic molds that play a crucial role as decomposers. Recent phylogenetic studies have revealed that these fungi are now divided into two major clades — Mucoromycota, which includes many symbiotic species, and Zoopagomycota, which primarily consists of parasitic and pathogenic fungi. These groups exhibit distinct ecological roles and reproductive strategies while sharing key structural and...
1.4K
Primary and Secondary Growth in Roots and Shoots03:02

Primary and Secondary Growth in Roots and Shoots

Vascular plants, which account for over 90% of the Earth’s vegetation, all undergo primary growth—which lengthens roots and shoots. Many land plants, notably woody plants, also undergo secondary growth—which thickens roots and shoots.
60.7K
Secondary Distribution01:25

Secondary Distribution

Secondary distribution systems provide electrical energy at the utilization voltage levels from distribution transformers to customer meters. Typical secondary voltages in the United States include 120/240 V for residential use, 208Y/120 V for residential and commercial use, and 480Y/277 V for industrial and high-rise commercial use.
In residential areas, 120/240 V single-phase, three-wire service is commonly used for lighting, outlets, and large appliances. Urban areas with high-density loads...
584