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Genetic Structure and Evolutionary Diversity of Mating-Type (MAT) Loci in Hypsizygus marmoreus

Summary

This research investigated how mushrooms control their mating and reproduction at the genetic level, specifically in the edible mushroom Hypsizygus marmoreus. The study revealed the complex genetic systems that determine whether two mushroom strains can successfully mate and reproduce. This has important implications for mushroom cultivation and breeding. Impacts on everyday life: – Helps improve cultivation methods for edible mushrooms – Enables development of better mushroom varieties through selective breeding – Contributes to understanding fundamental processes of fungal reproduction – Provides insights that could help control fungal diseases – Advances our knowledge of how organisms evolve and maintain genetic diversity

Background

Sexual reproduction in Basidiomycetes is regulated by mating-type genes that control the establishment of heterokaryotic mycelia and subsequent formation of fruiting bodies. In the phylum Basidiomycota, sexual reproduction is often dictated by two sets of specific independent mating-type genes controlling different stages of the sexual cycle. The tetrapolar system comprises two unlinked mating-type loci – the homeodomain (HD) transcription factor genes and pheromone/pheromone receptor genes (P/R).

Objective

This study aimed to analyze the genetic structure and diversity of MAT loci in the tetrapolar system of H. marmoreus through sequencing of 54 heterokaryon and 8 homokaryon strains. The goals were to: 1) identify the genetic structure and explore diversity of the mating type loci, 2) understand the evolution of the mating type loci in fungi, and 3) provide clues for compatible mating patterns.

Results

The study found that within the HD loci, while gene order was conserved, gene contents were variable. The HD loci haplotypes were classified into four types that were heritable and tightly linked. The P/R loci contained three pheromone receptors, three pheromones, and two pheromone receptor-like genes. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the STE3 genes diverged before speciation. The diversity of HD and P/R loci in Agaricales and Boletales may contribute to mating compatibility. Expression levels of HD and P/R loci genes were higher in compatible strains compared to homonuclear strains.

Conclusion

The study provided insights into the genomic basis of mating compatibility in H. marmoreus by revealing the structure and diversity of MAT loci. The findings showed that gene rearrangements are common in Agaricales fungi around HD loci. The research demonstrated that both HD and P/R loci act as switches for mating processes, with the diversity of these loci in Agaricales and Boletales likely contributing to mating compatibility.
  • Published in:IMA Fungus,
  • Study Type:Genomic Analysis,
  • Source: 10.1186/s43008-021-00086-8
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