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Influences of substrate and tissue type on erinacine production and biosynthetic gene expression in Hericium erinaceus

Summary

Researchers studied how different growing conditions affect erinacine production in lion’s mane mushroom mycelium. They found that the type of nutrients provided (substrate) significantly influences which erinacines are produced, even when the genes responsible for making these compounds show similar activity levels. Mycelium produced much more erinacines than fruit bodies, and specific nutrients could be used to encourage production of specific beneficial compounds.

Background

Lion’s mane (Hericium erinaceus) mycelium produces erinacines, cyathane diterpenoids with established neuroactivities. While fruit body tissue has characteristic secondary metabolites, it generally does not produce detectable erinacines. Substrate composition influences erinacine content in H. erinaceus mycelial cultures, similar to other fungi.

Objective

This study explored the relationship between biosynthetic gene expression and erinacine content in H. erinaceus, comparing fruit body tissue to mycelial tissue cultured in two liquid media formulations to determine how substrate and tissue type affect erinacine production and eri gene expression.

Results

Complex media yielded mycelium with significantly higher erinacine C content, while Minimal media yielded greater erinacine Q content. Despite substantial differences in erinacine concentrations, mycelial eri gene transcript levels did not differ significantly between the two liquid media preparations. Erinacine biosynthesis and eri gene expression were substantially greater in mycelia compared to fruit body tissue.

Conclusion

Substrate composition is a critical factor in erinacine production by H. erinaceus, with large differences in mycelial erinacine content occurring without significant differences in eri gene expression. Eri gene transcripts were consistently downregulated in fruit body compared to mycelium, supporting the hypothesis that fungal secondary metabolite production is influenced by tissue type and substrate components.
  • Published in:Fungal Biology and Biotechnology,
  • Study Type:Experimental Research Study,
  • Source: 10.1186/s40694-025-00194-9, PMID: 40181478
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