In November 1922, archaeologist Howard Carter peered through a small hole into the sealed tomb of King Tutankhamun. It is infamous for its ability to survive in harsh environments, including the sealed chambers of ancient tombs, where it can lie dormant for thousands of years.
When disturbed, the fungus releases spores that can cause severe respiratory infections, particularly in people with weakened immune systems. In both cases, investigations later found that A flavus was present, and its toxins were probably responsible for the illnesses and deaths.
Despite its deadly reputation, Aspergillus flavus is now at the centre of a remarkable scientific finding. Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have discovered that this fungus produces a unique class of molecules with the potential to fight cancer.
These molecules belong to a group called ribosomally synthesised and post-translationally modified peptides, or RiPPs. Aspergillus flavus quickly stood out as a prime candidate.
The researchers compared the chemicals from different fungal strains to known RiPP compounds and found promising matches. The researchers also identified similar clusters of genes in other fungi, suggesting that many more fungal RiPPs remain to be discovered.
Almost all the fungal RiPPs found so far have strong biological activity, making this an area with tremendous untapped potential.
