Transcriptome Analysis Identified Candidate Genes Involved in Fruit Body Development under Blue Light in Lentinula edodes

Lentinula edodes is an edible mushroom that is rich in polysaccharides, glucan, and lentinan. It is famous for its earthy, sweet, umami flavor, and is used in various foods all over the world. Although Lentinula edodes does not carry out photosynthesis with light, its fruit body development is regulated by light. In this study, we analyzed the morphological changes of L. edodes strain Sanjo701ho and identified the global gene expression patterns using EdgeR of fruit body development under blue light. The phenotype analysis under different light sources revealed that the pileus diameter grew, while the stipe length was suppressed under blue light. To understand the changes in the transcriptome under different light sources in L. edodes, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), KOG functional categories, and KEGG pathways were used and compared to the no-light condition. Lignocellulose, CAZyme, and transcription factor classified DEGs (differentially expressed genes) were identified to better understand the significant DEGs affected by light sources in the synthesis, metabolism, and recognition of complex carbohydrates. Six glycoside hydrolases (GHs), four auxiliary activities (AAs), three carbohydrate esterases (CEs), and glycosyltransferases (GTs) were identified as upregulated in the CAZyme DEGs. Furthermore, four beta-glucosidase, one glucose oxidase, and one multicopper oxidase-related gene for lignocellulolytic genes were upregulated in the blue light condition, and AT_hook transcription factor, CBFD_NFYB_HMF transcription factor, HMG_box transcription factor, and fungal specific transcription factor were upregulated in the blue light condition. This study helps us understand fruit body development in mushroom-breeding programs.