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A Jacalin-Related Lectin Regulated the Formation of Aerial Mycelium and Fruiting Body in Flammulina velutipes

Summary

This research investigated how a specific protein called Fv-JRL1 controls mushroom growth and development in the commonly cultivated winter mushroom (Flammulina velutipes). The study revealed that this protein plays a crucial role in forming the mushroom’s structure and determining when it produces its edible fruiting bodies. Impacts on everyday life: • Improved understanding of mushroom growth could lead to better cultivation methods for commercial mushroom production • More efficient mushroom farming could result in increased availability and potentially lower costs for consumers • Knowledge gained could help develop new techniques for growing other economically important mushroom species • Better control over mushroom development could lead to higher quality products in the food industry • Understanding these biological processes contributes to sustainable agriculture practices

Background

Lectins are non-immunoglobulin proteins widely distributed among organisms that perform various functions. In mushrooms, lectins have captured increased attention due to their antitumor, antiproliferative, and immunomodulatory activities. Flammulina velutipes is one of the six most widely grown and consumed mushroom species globally, expressing high levels of lectins. However, the physiological roles of lectins from F. velutipes in nature are not well understood.

Objective

To identify and characterize a jacalin-related lectin (JRL) gene from F. velutipes, designated as Fv-JRL1, and investigate its role in fruiting body formation through expression analysis and functional studies using RNA interference and overexpression approaches.

Results

The study found that Fv-JRL1 expression was maximal at the primordia formation stage before declining in later developmental stages. RNAi-silenced strains showed reduced aerial mycelium, fewer primordia, and delayed fruiting body formation. In contrast, overexpression of Fv-JRL1 resulted in increased aerial mycelium growth and accelerated fruiting body formation.

Conclusion

The jacalin-related lectin gene Fv-JRL1 in F. velutipes plays an important regulatory role in the formation of aerial mycelium and fruiting body development, providing new insights into the physiological functions of lectins in mushroom development.
  • Published in:International Journal of Molecular Sciences,
  • Study Type:Experimental Research,
  • Source: 10.3390/ijms17121884
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