The Performance and Evolutionary Mechanism of Ganoderma lucidum in Enhancing Selenite Tolerance and Bioaccumulation

Summary

This research explores how a specially adapted mushroom species can help clean up toxic selenium pollution from the environment. Scientists developed a more resilient version of the medicinal mushroom Ganoderma lucidum that can tolerate and accumulate high levels of selenium without being harmed. The study reveals the biological mechanisms that allow this fungus to safely process selenium, which could lead to better methods for cleaning contaminated soil and water. Key impacts on everyday life: • Provides a natural solution for cleaning up toxic selenium pollution from soil and water • Demonstrates how beneficial fungi can be adapted to solve environmental problems • Offers potential for developing safer and more cost-effective environmental cleanup methods • Could help prevent selenium contamination from entering the food chain • Advances our understanding of how organisms can adapt to handle toxic substances

Background

Selenium (Se) pollution poses serious threats to terrestrial ecosystems. While mushrooms are important sources of Se with potential for bioremediation, they must possess the ability to tolerate high levels of Se to be effective. Through adaptive evolution, researchers isolated selenite-tolerance-enhanced Ganoderma lucidum JNUSE-200 to study mechanisms of Se tolerance and accumulation.

Objective

To explore the molecular mechanism responsible for selenite tolerance and accumulation in G. lucidum JNUSE-200 by comparing it with the original strain, G. lucidum CGMCC 5.26, using physiological and transcriptomic approaches.

Results

G. lucidum JNUSE-200 demonstrated tolerance to 200 mg/kg selenite in liquid culture and exhibited normal growth, while G. lucidum CGMCC 5.26 experienced reduced growth, red coloration, and unpleasant odor. The study revealed that G. lucidum JNUSE-200 developed a triple defense mechanism against high-level selenite toxicity, and key genes responsible for improved selenite tolerance were identified.

Conclusion

The study provides novel insights into fungal tolerance towards selenite by identifying a triple defense mechanism involving dispersed mycelial morphology, thickened cell walls, membrane channels regulating selenite absorption, and internal metabolic pathway differences. This research benefits bioprocesses involving fungal selenite transformation and offers theoretical guidance for bioremediation applications.
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