TMT-based quantitative proteomic analysis of postharvest Coprinus comatus fruiting body during storage

Coprinus comatus is a highly perishable edible mushroom and it is difficult to keep fresh after harvest. The high content of moisture, maintained respiration and absence of protective cuticle layer are the main factors of short shelf life. In this study, we used tandem mass tags (TMT)-based quantitative proteomic technique to investigate the proteome responses of postharvest mushrooms during 16 d of storage at 8 +/- 1 celcius. The quality parameters of mushroom fruiting body including firmness, weight loss, browning index and respiration rate were determined. A total of 168 differentially abundant proteins (DAPs) were overlapped in the comparison groups (8 d-storage treatment group vs. control group and 16 d-storage treatment group vs. control group), of which 74 DAPs were up-regulated and 86 DAPs were down-regulated during the postharvest storage. Based on Gene Ontology (GO) annotation, the major biological processes were metabolic process and cellular process. Catalytic activity, binding and structural molecular activity were the predominant molecular functions. The cellular components were primarily cell and cell part. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis indicated that these DAPs were mainly involved in ribosome, glycolysis, citrate cycle and glutamate metabolism. AMPK and FOXO signaling pathways also participated in the postharvest physiology of mushrooms. Our results provide insights into the biological processes of Coprinus comatus fruiting body during storage and a theoretical basis for developing effective postharvest technology for fresh Coprinus comatus.

Automated summary

This study investigated the proteome responses of Coprinus comatus fruiting body during postharvest storage using TMT-based quantitative proteomic technique. The differential abundance of proteins during storage mainly involved metabolic and cellular processes, with catalytic activity and binding as predominant molecular functions. Cellular components mainly included cell and cell part. Pathway analysis showed involvement of ribosome, glycolysis, citrate cycle, and glutamate metabolism, as well as AMPK and FOXO signaling pathways in the postharvest physiology of mushrooms.