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Advances in Understanding Mating Type Gene Organization in the Mushroom-Forming Fungus Flammulina velutipes

Summary

This research explores how the winter mushroom (Flammulina velutipes) controls its mating and reproduction at the genetic level. The study revealed complex genetic systems that determine sexual compatibility between different mushroom strains. Understanding these mating mechanisms is crucial for mushroom cultivation and breeding. Impacts on everyday life: – Helps improve commercial cultivation of edible mushrooms – Enables development of better mushroom varieties for food production – Advances understanding of fungal reproduction relevant to agriculture – Contributes to breeding programs for enhanced mushroom traits – Provides insights for controlling fungal growth in various applications

Background

Sexual development in basidiomycetous fungi is controlled by specialized genes located at distinct mating type (MAT) loci. In most mushroom-forming fungi, two different and unlinked MAT loci can be found: MAT-A and MAT-B, recently renamed HD and PR loci respectively. The initiation of sexual development in Flammulina velutipes is controlled by genes at these two independent mating type loci.

Objective

To expand understanding of the F. velutipes mating type system by analyzing the MAT loci from multiple strains and determining how the HD and PR subloci participate in mating.

Results

The HD locus contained homeodomain genes at two separated locations: sublocus HD-a and HD-b. The HD-b subloci contained strain-specific Hd1/Hd2 gene pairs that showed a role in mating. The PR locus contained pheromone receptor and pheromone precursor genes at two locations (PR-a and PR-b), with both subloci containing strain-specific genes indicating roles in mating. While PR-a and PR-b typically cosegregated, evidence showed they could recombine within the PR locus.

Conclusion

At least three of the four MAT subloci participate in mating in F. velutipes. New HD and PR loci can be generated through intralocus recombination. The HD-b sublocus was confirmed to be active in mating, while the role of HD-a remained undetermined. Both PR-a and PR-b subloci appear to be involved in mating compatibility.
  • Published in:G3: Genes | Genomes | Genetics,
  • Study Type:Genomic Analysis,
  • Source: 10.1534/g3.116.034637
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