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Nucleus-Selective Expression of Laccase Genes in the Dikaryotic Strain of Lentinula edodes

Summary

This research investigated how genes are expressed in shiitake mushrooms when they contain two different nuclei in their cells. The study found that one nucleus can dominate gene expression over the other, which affects mushroom quality and growth. This discovery has important implications for mushroom cultivation and breeding. Impacts on everyday life: • Better understanding of how to breed higher quality mushrooms for food production • Improved methods for selecting mushroom strains for commercial cultivation • Potential for developing more efficient mushroom growing techniques • Contribution to sustainable food production through optimized mushroom farming • Enhanced ability to produce better quality shiitake mushrooms for consumers

Background

Basidiomycetes contain two nuclei of different origins in vegetative cells within a common cytoplasm. Previous mating experiments suggested that dikaryotic strains derived from certain monokaryotic strains consistently show better fruiting rates and yields regardless of partner strains, while some produce low quality fruiting bodies. This indicates possible nuclear dominance in gene expression between the two nuclei in dikaryotic cells.

Objective

To investigate whether one nucleus is dominant in allelic gene expression in dikaryotic strains of Lentinula edodes by examining single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in laccase genes of monokaryotic strains and determining the nuclear origin of expressed mRNAs in dikaryotic strains.

Results

Analysis revealed that Lcc1, Lcc2, Lcc4, Lcc7, and Lcc10 were the main expressed laccase genes. Five SNPs were found in Lcc4 and two in Lcc7. Sequence analysis showed laccase mRNAs were almost exclusively expressed from B2-originated nuclei in A5B2 and A18B2 strains, while B16 nucleus did not contribute to laccase expression in A2B16 strain.

Conclusion

The study discovered that allelic genes in dikaryotic strains have an expression bias that can govern the phenotype of basidiomycetes. The B2 nucleus dominates laccase gene expression in dikaryotic strains, which may explain its positive effect on fruiting body quality. This demonstrates the importance of selecting appropriate monokaryotic strains during mushroom breeding to achieve better quality fruiting bodies.
  • Published in:Mycobiology,
  • Study Type:Laboratory Research,
  • Source: 10.5941/MYCO.2017.45.4.379
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