Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Candidate Genes Involved in Light-Induced Primordium Differentiation in Pleurotus eryngii

Pleurotus eryngii, a highly valued edible fungus, is one of the major commercially cultivated mushrooms in China. The development of P. eryngii, especially during the stage of primordium differentiation, is easily affected by light. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the response of primordium differentiation to light remains unknown. In the present study, primordium expression profiles under blue-light stimulation, red-light stimulation, and exposure to darkness were compared using high-throughput sequencing. A total of 16,321 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified from three comparisons. GO enrichment analysis showed that a large number of DEGs were related to light stimulation and amino acid biosynthesis. KEGG analyses demonstrated that the MAPK signaling pathway, oxidative phosphorylation pathway, and RNA transport were most active during primordium differentiation. Furthermore, it was predicted that the blue-light photoreceptor WC-1 and Deoxyribodipyrimidine photolyase PHR play important roles in the primordium differentiation of P. eryngii. Taken together, the results of this study provide a speculative mechanism that light induces primordium differentiation and a foundation for further research on fruiting body development in P. eryngii.

Automated summary

This study compared the primordium expression profiles of Pleurotus eryngii under blue-light stimulation, red-light stimulation, and darkness using high-throughput sequencing. A large number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to light stimulation and amino acid biosynthesis were identified. The MAPK signaling pathway, oxidative phosphorylation pathway, and RNA transport were shown to be most active during primordium differentiation. The blue-light photoreceptor WC-1 and Deoxyribodipyrimidine photolyase PHR were predicted to play important roles in the primordium differentiation of P. eryngii. The results of this study provide a speculative mechanism for light-induced primordium differentiation and a foundation for further research on fruiting body development in P. eryngii.