Like fireflies and many deep-sea creatures, certain fungi can naturally emit light through bioluminescence pathways in which specialized enzymes convert chemical energy into visible light. Medical researchers have used fungal light-producing enzymes in the fungal bioluminescence pathway (FBP) to visually track processes like tumor progression and inflammatory responses. New research published in The FEBS Journal provides insights that may help improve and expand such bioluminescence-based tools and applications.

Like fireflies and many deep-sea creatures, certain fungi can naturally emit light through bioluminescence pathways in which specialized enzymes convert chemical energy into visible light. Medical researchers have used fungal light-producing enzymes in the fungal bioluminescence pathway (FBP) to visually track processes like tumor progression and inflammatory responses. New research published in The FEBS Journal provides insights that may help improve and expand such bioluminescence-based tools and applications.

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  • OwOarchist@pawb.socialEnglish
    2·
    24 hours ago

    While we’re here … I’ve sometimes wondered, why the fuck did bioluminescent fungi evolve that ability?

    Sure, lots of organisms have bioluminescence. Often used as signals to find mates or to attract prey. Occasionally as a way to confuse predators. Sometimes even as flashlights to cast light ahead and see better.

    But a fungus has none of these motivations. It’s not trying to signal mates – it doesn’t need a mate to reproduce in the first place, and even if it did, their potential mates don’t have eyes to see the glow. They’re not trying to attract prey – they don’t actively hunt. Predators won’t be very confused – if anything, they’ll be attracted to it, making the fungus easier to find. And they’re certainly not using the illumination to see better – once again, they have no eyes.

    And in addition to having no apparent benefits, bioluminescence has a lot of drawbacks as well. As mentioned before, it makes the fungus very easy to spot and identify for potential predators. It will also come at a significant metabolic energy cost. The energy of that light has to come from somewhere, and the cellular machinery necessary to produce it is complex and requires a lot of extra maintenance.

    So … what’s in it for the fungus? Why would any fungus evolve this ability, and if one randomly did, how did this ability help it to survive, rather than quickly driving it to extinction? Why would any fungus want to glow?