Multi-omics analysis of Taiwanofungus gaoligongensis: effects of different cultivation methods on secondary metabolites
- Author: mycolabadmin
- 8/1/2025
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Summary
Scientists studied a medicinal mushroom called Taiwanofungus gaoligongensis to understand how different growing methods affect the production of beneficial compounds. They found that growing the mushroom in special bags with certain wood substrates produced far more of the valuable compounds (up to 12-fold more) compared to growing it on rice medium. By examining which genes were active in different growing conditions, they discovered how the mushroom’s cells control the production of these medicinal compounds, which could help farmers grow more potent medicinal mushrooms.
Background
Taiwanofungus gaoligongensis is a newly identified fungal species closely related to T. camphoratus, which produces bioactive compounds including triterpenoids with notable antitumor activity. Natural fruiting bodies develop slowly with limited resources, while artificially cultured mycelia require only weeks but produce significantly lower levels of bioactive compounds.
Objective
This study aimed to investigate the effects of different cultivation methods—fruiting bodies on wood logs (GLG), mycelia in fungal cultivation bags with two substrates (NZJB and XZJB), and rice medium (DM)—on secondary metabolite production in T. gaoligongensis using multi-omics analysis.
Results
NZJB and XZJB significantly enhanced terpenoid production, with triterpenoid contents 7-fold and 3.9-fold higher than DM respectively. Antcin C peaked in XZJB (9.72-fold higher than DM), while antcin I and antrodin C were highest in NZJB. Transcriptome analysis revealed TgHMGR as a key rate-limiting enzyme, with expression regulated by transcription factors TgHSF4 and TgMYB6.
Conclusion
Cultivation in fungal cultivation bags with C. kanehirae or C. camphora substrates significantly promoted triterpenoid accumulation compared to rice medium. The study identified transcriptional regulatory mechanisms of key bioactive compound biosynthesis and provides strategies to enhance secondary metabolite production in T. gaoligongensis mycelia for improved medicinal value and production efficiency.
- Published in:Frontiers in Microbiology,
- Study Type:Experimental Research,
- Source: PMID: 40822405