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Alternative oxidase gene induced by nitric oxide is involved in the regulation of ROS and enhances the resistance of Pleurotus ostreatus to heat stress

Summary

Oyster mushrooms are commonly grown in controlled facilities but struggle with high summer temperatures. This study found that a molecule called nitric oxide helps mushroom cells survive heat stress by activating a special protein called alternative oxidase (AOX), which reduces harmful molecules called reactive oxygen species. By understanding this mechanism, growers may be able to improve mushroom cultivation and yield during hot weather.

Background

Pleurotus ostreatus cultivation is negatively affected by high summer temperatures, which induce reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and cellular damage. Nitric oxide (NO) plays an important regulatory role in abiotic stress responses, and previous studies suggest NO can induce alternative oxidase (aox) expression to enhance heat stress resistance.

Objective

To investigate the regulatory pathway through which NO alleviates heat stress-induced damage in P. ostreatus mycelia, with emphasis on the function and regulation of the aox gene and its role in ROS production and antioxidant enzyme expression.

Results

NO reduced NADH and ATP levels while decreasing H2O2 and O2− production. RNA-Seq identified 579 NO-regulated genes enriched in oxidation-reduction pathways. OE-aox strains showed faster growth recovery after heat stress with reduced ROS accumulation, while RNAi-aox strains exhibited opposite effects. The aox gene regulated antioxidant enzyme expression through retrograde signaling.

Conclusion

NO induces aox gene expression to enhance P. ostreatus heat stress resistance by reducing ROS production through TCA cycle regulation and mediating retrograde signaling pathways that control antioxidant enzyme gene expression. These findings provide new insights into fungal AOX functions and NO-mediated stress responses.
  • Published in:Microbial Cell Factories,
  • Study Type:Experimental Research,
  • Source: PMC8287771, PMID: 34281563, DOI: 10.1186/s12934-021-01626-y
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