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Transcriptom Analysis of Auricularia auriculla-judae Fruit Body Treated with Gamma Radiation on Mycelium

Summary

Researchers studied how the wood ear mushroom (Auricularia auricula-judae) responds to gamma radiation at the genetic level. They found that when exposed to radiation, the mushroom activates DNA repair mechanisms and eliminates damaged cells through cell death, rather than relying on antioxidant defenses like some other fungi. This research helps us understand how edible mushrooms naturally protect themselves from radiation damage.

Background

Auricularia auricula-judae is an edible mushroom with medicinal properties. Fungi demonstrate high resistance to gamma radiation, but molecular mechanisms in edible mushrooms remain largely unexplored compared to yeast model organisms.

Objective

To examine the response of A. auricula-judae to gamma radiation through comparative transcriptome analysis using RNA-Seq on fruit bodies derived from mycelium exposed to 200 Gray of gamma radiation, and to identify genes responding to gamma radiation-induced cellular damage.

Results

A total of 69,183 unigenes were generated. Transcriptome analysis revealed down-regulated expression in amino acid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, and cell cycle regulation genes. DNA repair genes were up-regulated while antioxidant and laccase genes were down-regulated, indicating enhanced cell death and DNA repair mechanisms as primary defense responses.

Conclusion

A. auricula-judae responds to gamma radiation through cell death and DNA repair processes rather than antioxidant defense mechanisms. This study provides valuable data for understanding radiation resistance responses in edible mushrooms and contributes to understanding alternative radiation resistance mechanisms in fungi.
  • Published in:Mycobiology,
  • Study Type:Experimental Transcriptome Analysis,
  • Source: PMID: 40766042, DOI: 10.1080/12298093.2025.2532236
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