Comparative phosphoproteome analysis to identify candidate phosphoproteins involved in blue light-induced brown film formation in Lentinula edodes

Summary

Researchers studied how blue light triggers brown film formation on shiitake mushroom mycelia by analyzing protein modifications called phosphorylation. Using advanced mass spectrometry techniques, they identified thousands of phosphorylation changes in proteins when mushroom mycelia are exposed to blue light. The findings revealed that blue light activates several important processes including light sensing, pigment production, and cell wall degradation, providing insights into how mushrooms develop fruiting bodies in response to light signals.

Background

Light plays an important role in the growth and differentiation of Lentinula edodes mycelia, with blue light inducing the formation of brown film on vegetative mycelial tissues. The brown film formation is an important developmental process that represents a speciation step and protects mycelia from pathogenic organisms. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying blue light-induced brown film formation remain unclear.

Objective

To identify and characterize phosphoproteins involved in blue light-induced brown film formation in L. edodes mycelia using comparative phosphoproteome analysis. The study aimed to understand post-translational modifications at the phosphorylation level and their role in light signal transduction, cell wall degradation, and melanogenesis.

Results

A total of 11,224 phosphorylation sites were identified on 2,786 proteins, with 9,243 sites on 2,579 proteins containing quantitative information. In the blue versus red light comparison, 475 sites were up-regulated and 349 sites were down-regulated. Differentially phosphorylated proteins were associated with light signal transduction, cell wall degradation, and melanogenesis pathways.

Conclusion

This phosphoproteomics study provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms of blue light-induced brown film formation at the post-translational modification level. The findings suggest that light signal transduction, carbohydrate metabolism, and secondary metabolite biosynthesis are key processes involved in brown film formation, offering a foundation for understanding fruiting body development in shiitake mushrooms.
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