Deadly fungus tied to a pharaoh's tomb may help fight cancer
A fatal fungus once thought to be a curse could potentially help fight disease. Scientists discovered molecules in a fungus linked to Tutankhamun's tomb that stop the proliferation of cancer cells and are as effective as currently used treatments. Fungi may hold a treasure trove of medical breakthroughs just waiting to be unearthed.
The "pharaoh's curse" fungus, Aspergillus flavus, can be used to fight leukemia, according to a study published in the journal Nature Chemical Biology. The fungus is called "pharaoh's curse" because it is "linked to the deaths of several archeologists who opened ancient tombs around the world, including the famous discovery of the Tomb of Tutankhamun in the 1920s," said Popular Mechanics. At the time, many believed the deaths to be the result of an ancient curse rather than fungal inhalation.
Aspergillus flavus is known as a "microbial villain," said Popular Science. It is "one of the most frequently isolated mold species in both agriculture and medicine," and is "commonly found in soil and can infect a broad range of important agricultural crops." Exposure to the fungus can lead to lung infections, especially in those who are immunocompromised. Despite its deadly reputation, the fungus contains a class of peptides that can fight cancer when modified.
Researchers were able to isolate four molecules from A. flavus, which they named "asperigimycins." The molecules were capable of forming a unique structure of interlocking rings. "Even without genetic modifications, the asperigimycins demonstrated medical potential when mixed together with human cancer cells," said Popular Science. "Two out of the four variants had potent effects against leukemia cells." When fatty molecules called lipids were added to the mix, the asperigimycins were as effective as the FDA-approved drugs used to treat the cancer. There also seem to be no apparent side effects from A. flavus.
Asperigimycins are part of a class of molecules called ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides, or RiPPs. A number of them have been found in bacteria, but they are "rare in fungi and notoriously hard to study," said Wired. This is "mainly because no one was looking closely until now." However, "even though only a few have been found, almost all of them have strong bioactivity," Qiuyue Nie, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Pennsylvania and an author of the study, said in a statement. "This is an unexplored region with tremendous potential."
Fungi have long been a source of medicine, perhaps most famously the antibiotic penicillin. This research implies there is more where that came from. "Nature has given us this incredible pharmacy," Sherry Gao, an associate professor at UPenn and the senior author of the study, said in the statement. "It's up to us to uncover its secrets. As engineers, we're excited to keep exploring, learning from nature and using that knowledge to design better solutions." The next step in the process will be to test the newly discovered treatment on animals and then eventually on humans. It will likely still be many years before the treatments can be widely used on people.
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Keen to share your home with a Siamese cat? Find out everything there is to know about this breed
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Siamese cat overview Other names: Meezers Life expectancy: 12–15 years Size: 4–13lbs in weight, 11 inches in height Coat: pointed or colorpoint Eye colour: bright blue eyes Temperament: sociable, affectionate, vocal and intelligent Origin/native country: Thailand Siamese cats aren't hard to come by. Perhaps the most iconic example of this breed is the aptly named Si and Am in Disney's Lady and the Tramp, who are the sinister villains of the show. But in reality, this couldn't be further from the truth. Known for being affectionate, friendly, and sociable, Siamese cats are also loved by the masses for their distinctive narrow-faced look, fur coloring and beautiful blue eyes. This lap cat also has the pretty incredible ability to crave attention no matter the time of the day. Another thing to keep in mind about the Siamese is that they are rather vocal, so they could be ideal for someone who lives alone, or those who much prefer noise and chatter in their home compared to peace and quiet. And its reasons like this (and more) that have earned a 'meezer' the title of being one of the most popular cat breeds. We've compiled a guide on everything there is to know about this Velcro kitty and roped in the expertise of vet Dr Rebecca MacMillan. Are Siamese cats hypoallergenic? All allergy sufferers will be pleased to know that Siamese cats are classified as one of the hypoallergenic cat breeds due to their fur, which sheds a lot less than other breeds and the fact that they produce less of the Fel D1 protein, which can cause allergies in humans to flare up. 'These cats still produce the Fel D 1 protein in their saliva, which gets dispersed through their coat as they groom,' flags Dr MacMillan. Therefore, Siamese cats may still trigger some. But they might be less triggering than other breeds for some allergy sufferers. Are Siamese cats friendly? Despite how they are portrayed in the Disney film, Siamese cats are very friendly cats. They are also very affectionate, too. So if you love lots of love and cuddles from your fur friend, this curious cat, craves companionship and will be more than happy to snuggle up on your lap in the evening as long as they have had enough stimulation during the morning. 'I do have a bit of a soft spot for Siamese cats,' says Dr MacMillan. 'They are friendly, sociable, and enjoy spending time with people. However, they are also known for being vocal and demanding!' So much so, life with a Siamese cat will be anything but quiet as this breed is known for being one of the loudest cat breeds. 'They make great pets if you have time to give them lots of fuss and attention,' Dr MacMillan adds. Wisdom Panel Cat DNA Test | Amazon Not sure exactly what breed your cat is? 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Looking for a beautiful, low-maintenance, quiet and long-living cat? This is the breed for you –and everything you need to know
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