Dr. Yen-Ping Hsueh’s group unveiled the molecular mechanism of prey-sensing and nematode-killing in nematophagous fungi

Carnivorous fungi prey on nematodes under nutrient-deprived conditions. Nematode-trapping fungi use GPCRs to sense nematode-derived signals, such as ascarosides, to trigger trap development. Oyster mushrooms produce 3-octanone to paralyze and kill nematodes when they encounter toxocysts on the hyphae.