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milR4 and milR16 Mediate Fruiting Body Development in the Medicinal Fungus Cordyceps militaris

Summary

This research explores how small RNA molecules called milRNAs control the development and reproduction of the medicinal mushroom Cordyceps militaris. The study found that specific milRNAs are essential for the mushroom to properly form its reproductive structures. Impacts on everyday life: – Helps improve cultivation methods for medicinal mushrooms – Advances understanding of how fungi reproduce and develop – Could lead to better production of mushroom-based medicines – Provides insights into natural gene regulation mechanisms – May enable development of new biotechnology applications

Background

Cordyceps militaris readily performs sexual reproduction, providing a model for understanding sexual development processes. It can regulate human gene expression through diet-derived miRNA-like RNAs (milRNAs). However, studies of miRNAs in C. militaris have been limited.

Objective

To identify and characterize miRNA-like RNAs involved in sexual development of C. militaris and investigate their regulatory functions during fruiting body formation.

Results

38 milRNAs were identified, with 19 being specific for sexual development. Disruption of milR4 prevented fruiting body formation, while its overexpression led to premature perithecium formation. Disruption of milR16 resulted in abnormal pale yellow fruiting body primordium. Expression analysis showed these milRNAs indirectly regulate many genes involved in mycelium growth and sexual development.

Conclusion

This study provides the first genome-wide analysis of milRNAs in C. militaris development stages. The results demonstrate that milRNAs play vital roles in regulating sexual development and fruiting body formation in C. militaris, contributing to understanding milRNA function mechanisms across different kingdoms.
  • Published in:Frontiers in Microbiology,
  • Study Type:Experimental Research,
  • Source: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.00083
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