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The Transcriptional Landscape of Basidiosporogenesis in Mature Pisolithus microcarpus Basidiocarp

Summary

This research examined how genes are activated during spore formation in an important symbiotic fungus that helps trees grow. The study revealed complex genetic programs that control spore development and energy storage in the fungus. This knowledge advances our understanding of fungal reproduction and could help improve forest management. Impacts on everyday life: – Better understanding of beneficial fungi could improve tree growth in forestry – Knowledge of fungal spore formation may help develop better fungal inoculants for plants – Insights into lipid metabolism could be relevant for biofuel production – Understanding symbiotic relationships between fungi and trees helps protect forest ecosystems – Could lead to improved methods for growing valuable edible mushrooms

Background

Pisolithus microcarpus is a gasteromycete fungus that produces closed basidiocarps in symbiosis with eucalypts and acacias. The fungus forms complex basidiocarps containing peridioles at different developmental stages and an upper layer of basidiospores. During basidiosporogenesis within the peridioles, fatty acid reserves are maintained throughout development. While previous studies have described the physical process of basidiosporogenesis inside peridioles, little is known about the gene expression changes occurring during this part of the fungal life cycle.

Objective

To analyze gene transcription during peridiole and basidiospore development in P. microcarpus, with specific focus on cell cycle progression and lipid metabolism pathways.

Results

The study identified 737 regulated genes between adjacent compartments, representing 3.49% of genes in the P. microcarpus genome. Three major clusters of regulated genes showed differential expression between peridiole stages and basidiospores. During peridiole development, transcripts related to cellular processes, signaling, and information storage were detected, particularly those encoding transcription factors, DNA polymerase subunits, DNA repair proteins, and chromatin structure genes. In both internal and free basidiospores, upregulated transcripts were primarily involved in primary metabolism, especially fatty acid metabolism. High expression of β-oxidation and glyoxylate shunt-related transcripts indicated fatty acids served as a major carbon source during basidiosporogenesis.

Conclusion

Basidiocarp formation in P. microcarpus involves complex gene regulation throughout peridiole development. The study identified coordinated waves of transcript regulation and key transcription factors potentially controlling development. This represents the first description of gene expression patterns during basidiocarp formation in an ectomycorrhizal gasteromycete fungus, providing insights into genes crucial for developmental processes.
  • Published in:BMC Genomics,
  • Study Type:Transcriptome Analysis,
  • Source: 10.1186/s12864-017-3545-5
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