We found that a lack of calcium triggers completely different metabolic responses: one strain produces large amounts of fat, while the other instead produces carotenoids.
This is the first time it has been documented that calcium can drive such divergent regulatory mechanisms in two closely related fungi. The findings provide new insight into how gene regulation can evolve differently even between very close relatives – and open up new opportunities in biotechnological production of both fatty acids and carotenoids.
Read the article here: https://doi.org/10.1093/g3journal/jkaf207