Integrated Enzymes Activity and Transcriptome Reveal the Effect of Exogenous Melatonin on the Strain Degeneration of Cordyceps militaris

Summary

This research investigated how treating the medicinal mushroom Cordyceps militaris with melatonin can help prevent it from losing its beneficial properties during cultivation. The study found that melatonin helps maintain the mushroom’s stability and quality by protecting it from damaging molecules and supporting its natural antioxidant systems. Impacts on everyday life: – Improved cultivation methods for medicinal mushrooms could make these natural health products more available and affordable – Better understanding of how to preserve beneficial compounds in fungi could lead to more effective supplements – Advances in preventing strain degeneration could help maintain consistent quality in mushroom-based products – The findings about melatonin’s protective effects could have applications for preserving other beneficial fungi – This research contributes to more sustainable and efficient production of natural medicines

Background

Cordyceps militaris is a valuable medicinal and edible fungus that has been industrialized with broad development prospects. It contains bioactive compounds beneficial to health. However, strain degeneration during artificial cultivation inhibits its industrial utility. Exogenous melatonin (MT) can scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) in fungus and potentially alleviate strain degeneration.

Objective

To establish the significance and molecular mechanisms of melatonin on strain degeneration by investigating the third-generation strain (W5-3) of C. militaris via morphological, biochemical, and transcriptomic approaches under MT treatment.

Results

Morphological analyses showed colony angulation was significantly weakened and aerial hypha reduced by 60 μmol L–1 MT treatment. Biochemical analyses revealed lower ROS and malondialdehyde levels, with increasing endogenous MT levels as exogenous MT increased. RNA-Seq showed several antioxidant enzyme-related genes were up-regulated under 60 μmol L–1 MT treatment, with glutathione s-transferase genes up-regulated by a factor of 11.04. Genes involved in cordycepin, adenosine and active compound biosynthesis were also up-regulated.

Conclusion

Exogenous melatonin treatment effectively alleviates strain degeneration in C. militaris by reducing ROS accumulation, enhancing antioxidant enzyme activities, and promoting the biosynthesis of beneficial compounds. The 60 μmol L–1 MT concentration was found to be optimal for maintaining strain stability and reducing degeneration effects.
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