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Transcriptomic Profiling Sheds Light on the Blue-Light and Red-Light Response of Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus)

Summary

This research investigated how different types of light affect oyster mushroom growth and development. The study found that blue light helps mushrooms grow better, especially the cap portion, by activating important energy-producing pathways in the cells. Red light had the opposite effect, slightly inhibiting growth. This has practical implications for mushroom cultivation and our understanding of how fungi respond to light. Impacts on everyday life: • Improved methods for commercial mushroom cultivation using specific light wavelengths • More efficient production of edible mushrooms for food supply • Better understanding of how to control mushroom growth and quality • Potential applications in developing new lighting systems for mushroom farms • Insights into sustainable food production techniques

Background

Blue light is known to be an important environmental factor that induces mushroom primordium differentiation and fruiting body development. While blue-light treatment has been applied in oyster mushroom production, the underlying response mechanisms remain unclear. Previous studies have identified red-light and blue-light photoreceptors in fungi and described photoresponse phenomena, but the molecular mechanisms vary among different mushroom species and need to be investigated in each case.

Objective

To reveal the gene expression response mechanism of Pleurotus ostreatus to blue light and red light by conducting comparative transcriptomics analysis of the stipe, pileus, and gill under different light conditions. The study aimed to understand how different light wavelengths affect mushroom growth and development at the molecular level.

Results

Blue light enhanced the growth of all organs of P. ostreatus, especially the pileus, while red light slightly inhibited pileus growth. Blue-light treatment significantly upregulated genes involved in glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, the pentose phosphate pathway and peroxisome in the pileus. Most glycolysis and pentose phosphate pathway genes were upregulated in the pileus by blue light. Red-light treatment downregulated many respiration metabolism genes in the pileus compared to dark treatment. Additionally, 11 serine/threonine protein kinase genes were significantly upregulated in the pileus by blue light.

Conclusion

Blue light improved P. ostreatus fruiting body growth, particularly in the pileus, through enhancement of glycolysis and the pentose phosphate pathway. In contrast, red light inhibited pileus growth by decreasing the activity of these metabolic pathways. The study identified several serine/threonine protein kinase genes as potential blue-light photoreceptors and demonstrated that different light wavelengths can be used to manipulate mushroom development.
  • Published in:AMB Express,
  • Study Type:Experimental Research,
  • Source: 10.1186/s13568-020-0951-x
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