MYCOLab Ai Logo - gold and army green

Genome Sequence of the Cauliflower Mushroom Sparassis crispa (Hanabiratake) and its Association with Beneficial Usage

Summary

This research decoded the genetic blueprint of the cauliflower mushroom (Sparassis crispa), a medicinal fungus with various health benefits. The study revealed new genes responsible for producing beneficial compounds and discovered previously unknown estrogen-like activities that could have therapeutic applications. Impact on everyday life: – Could lead to new natural medicines and supplements for immune system support – May provide alternative treatments for hormone-related conditions – Helps validate traditional medicinal uses of this mushroom – Could enable more efficient cultivation methods for food and medicine production – Advances our understanding of how mushrooms produce beneficial compounds

Background

Sparassis crispa, also known as cauliflower mushroom or Hanabiratake, has been traditionally used for food and medicine. It contains materials with various pharmacological activities including antitumor, antiangiogenic, antimetastatic, antimicrobial, antiviral, antioxidant, antihypertensive, antidiabetic and antiallergic properties. The mushroom is particularly known for its β-1,3-glucan content, which has demonstrated immunomodulatory effects.

Objective

This study aimed to sequence and analyze the genome of S. crispa strain Scrmy26 and explore its beneficial properties through two approaches: 1) identifying and characterizing β-glucan synthase genes and clusters of genes for secondary metabolite synthesis, and 2) investigating potential estrogenic activity in mycelial extracts.

Results

The study revealed a 39.0-Mb genome containing 13,157 predicted genes. Phylogenetic analysis showed S. crispa diverged from Postia placenta 94 million years ago. Two β-glucan synthase genes (ScrFKS1 and ScrFKS2) were identified. The mycelial extract showed estrogenic activity without promoting cell proliferation, suggesting the presence of ‘silent estrogens.’ A total of 30 gene clusters were identified for secondary metabolite synthesis.

Conclusion

The genome sequence analysis of S. crispa has provided new insights into its genetic makeup and potential therapeutic applications. The identification of β-glucan synthase genes and the discovery of silent estrogen activity in the mycelial extract expand the potential applications of this organism for medicinal and pharmacological purposes.
  • Published in:Scientific Reports,
  • Study Type:Genomic Analysis,
  • Source: 10.1038/s41598-018-34415-6
Scroll to Top