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The Stress of Fungicides Changes the Expression of Clock Protein CmFRQ and the Morphology of Fruiting Bodies of Cordyceps militaris

Summary

Researchers treated a medicinal mushroom (Cordyceps militaris) with antifungal drugs at non-lethal doses and found that this stress affected the mushroom’s internal clock and fruiting body development. Interestingly, while most fungicides caused the fruiting bodies to degenerate, one drug (5-fluorocytosine) surprisingly rejuvenated degenerated strains. The effects persisted even after removing the drugs, suggesting fungicides cause lasting changes to the mushroom’s circadian rhythm.

Background

Fungicides create selection pressure on fungi, potentially inducing genetic and physiological changes. Circadian clock mechanisms regulate morphology, physiology, and development in eukaryotic cells. This study examines how fungicide stress affects clock protein expression and fruiting body morphology in Cordyceps militaris.

Objective

To investigate how non-lethal doses of four fungicides (amphotericin B, L-cysteine, terbinafine, and 5-fluorocytosine) affect the expression of the circadian clock protein CmFRQ and fruiting body morphology in two different mating-type strains of Cordyceps militaris.

Results

Amphotericin B, terbinafine, and 5-fluorocytosine increased CmFRQ expression in strain TN mycelium, while L-cysteine inhibited it. All four fungicides reduced CmFRQ in strain CmFRQ454. After fungicide removal, effects persisted in subculture S1. Fruiting bodies showed degeneration in most treatments, but 5-fluorocytosine led to rejuvenation in the degenerated CmFRQ454 strain.

Conclusion

Fungicide stress bidirectionally affects circadian clock protein expression and fruiting body morphology differently depending on mating type. The sustained effects after fungicide removal suggest long-term circadian clock disruption. These findings indicate fungicides can induce both degeneration and rejuvenation of fruiting bodies, contributing to morphological diversity in C. militaris.
  • Published in:Journal of Fungi,
  • Study Type:Experimental Study,
  • Source: PMID: 38392822, DOI: 10.3390/jof10020150
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