Physiological changes and gene responses during Ganoderma lucidum growth with selenium supplementation

Area of Science:

• Mycology
• Biotechnology
• Nutritional Science

Background:

• Ganoderma lucidum (Basidiomycota) is valued for its health and nutritional properties.
• Selenium supplementation is explored as a method to enhance its nutritional profile and physiological characteristics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the physiological and gene expression changes in Ganoderma lucidum upon selenium supplementation.
• To identify key genes and pathways regulated by selenium during different growth stages.

Main Methods:

• Cultivation of Ganoderma lucidum with varying selenium levels.
• High-throughput RNA-Seq technology for transcriptome analysis.
• Comparison of gene expression between selenium-supplemented and control groups.

Main Results:

• Selenium supplementation increased stipe length and cap size, while decreasing cap thickness.
• Mineral salt and selenium promoted triterpene acid and selenium formation, with optimal yield at 200 µg/g selenium.
• Transcriptome analysis revealed significant gene expression changes, with notable upregulation in carbon metabolism (budding stage) and amino acid biosynthesis (mature stage).
• Specific selenium-related genes (GL23172-G, GL29881-G, GL28298-G) were identified as regulators of oxidoreductase, antioxidant activity, and tryptophan synthesis.

Conclusions:

• Selenium supplementation significantly impacts Ganoderma lucidum morphology and physiology.
• Gene expression analysis provides insights into the molecular mechanisms of selenium's effects on G. lucidum.
• Findings offer a foundation for developing selenium-enriched functional foods and health products from Ganoderma lucidum.