Regulatory networks often converge on very similar cis sequences to drive transcriptional programs due to constraints on what transcription factors are present. To determine the role of constraint loss on cis element evolution, we examined the recent appearance of a thiamine starvation regulated promoter in Candida glabrata. This species lacks the ancestral transcription factor Thi2, but still has the transcription factor Pdc2, which regulates thiamine starvation genes, allowing us to determine the effect of constraint change on a new promoter. We identified two different cis elements in C. glabrata - one present in the evolutionarily recent gene called CgPMU3, and the other element present in the other thiamine (THI) regulated genes. Reciprocal swaps of the cis elements and incorporation of the S. cerevisiaeThi2 transcription factor-binding site into these promoters demonstrate that the two elements are functionally different from one another. Thus, this loss of an imposed constraint on promoter function has generated a novel cis sequence, suggesting that loss of trans constraints can generate a non-convergent pathway with the same output.

Nodular amyloidosis (NA) is a rare type of primary localized cutaneous amyloidosis in which light chain amyloid deposits in the skin without concurrent systemic involvement. We report a challenging case of NA on the scalp, mimicking primary scarring alopecia, in a relatively young and healthy 36‐year‐old man. In addition to a nonspecific clinical appearance with a broad differential, NA can be a difficult diagnosis because it may require ancillary testing, such as liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry to type the amyloid protein, and hematology–oncology workup to exclude systemic disease. Pathologists can highlight the importance of systemic evaluation in their reports to ensure patients receive appropriate management.