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Para-Aminobenzoic Acid (PABA) Synthase Enhances Thermotolerance of Mushroom Agaricus Bisporus

Summary

This research discovered how a natural compound called PABA helps mushrooms survive high temperatures, which is a major challenge in mushroom farming. The findings could lead to improved mushroom varieties that can grow better in warm conditions. Key impacts include: – Could help develop heat-resistant mushroom strains for warmer climates – May reduce cooling costs in mushroom cultivation facilities – Could increase mushroom production in regions previously too warm for cultivation – Provides insights for developing stress-resistant crops in general – May lead to more sustainable and efficient mushroom farming practices

Background

Most mushrooms are thermo-sensitive to temperatures over 23°C, which greatly restricts their agricultural cultivation. Understanding mushroom’s innate heat-tolerance mechanisms may facilitate genetic improvements of their thermotolerance. Agaricus bisporus strain 02 is a relatively thermotolerant mushroom strain, while strain 8213 is quite thermo-sensitive.

Objective

To investigate the mechanisms underlying higher thermotolerance of strain 02 compared to strain 8213 through comparative proteomic analysis and identify novel signaling pathways and secondary messengers involved in mushroom thermotolerance.

Results

The study identified 73 proteins differentially expressed between strains 02 and 8213, with 48 having known identities. PABA synthase was found to be constitutively more abundant in strain 02 and further increased under heat stress. Exogenous PABA application improved thermotolerance of strain 8213, while inhibiting PABA synthesis compromised thermotolerance of strain 02. Transgenic overexpression of 02-derived PABA synthase enhanced thermotolerance of strain 8213. PABA was found to reduce H2O2 accumulation by increasing catalase and SOD activity, and elevate defense-related proteins like HSPs and chitinase under heat stress.

Conclusion

PABA plays a crucial role in enhancing mushroom thermotolerance through multiple mechanisms including mediating the expression of defense-related proteins and clearing H2O2 accumulation. The findings provide new insights into heat stress adaptation in mushrooms and identify PABA as a potential target for improving thermotolerance in mushroom cultivation.
  • Published in:PLoS One,
  • Study Type:Experimental Research,
  • Source: 10.1371/journal.pone.0091298
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