Scientists found out genes involved in a compound in lichens with antiviral activity
E-Mail An international study led by researchers from the Faculty of Pharmacy at the Complutense University of Madrid has identified a series of biosynthetic genes involved in the production of usnic acid in lichen, a compound showing antiviral, antioxidant, neuroprotective, antibacterial and anticancer activity. Not all lichens --composite organisms resulting from the symbiosis of fungi and green algae or cyanobacteria-- produce this compound, and this study, published in Genome Biology and Evolution, has revealed why there is a loss of specific biosynthetic genes in non-producing specie...
Source: eurekalert.org