Comparative Proteomic Analyses within Three Developmental Stages of the Mushroom White Hypsizygus marmoreus

(1) Background: The Hypsizygus marmoreus is a popular edible mushroom in East Asian markets. In a previous study, we reported the proteomic analyses of different developmental stages of H. marmoreus, from primordium to mature fruiting body. However, the growth and protein expression changes from scratching to primordium are unclear. (2) Methods: A label-free LC-MS/MS quantitative proteomic analysis technique was adopted to obtain the protein expression profiles of three groups of samples collected in different growth stages from scratching to the tenth day after scratching. The Pearson's correlation coefficient analysis and principal component analysis were performed to reveal the correlation among samples. The differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were organized. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis was performed to divide the DEPs into different metabolic processes and pathways. (3) Results: From the 3rd day to the 10th day after scratching, mycelium recovered gradually and formed primordia. Compared with the Rec stage, 218 highly expressed proteins were identified in the Knot stage. Compared with the Pri stage, 217 highly expressed proteins were identified in the Rec stage. Compared with the Pri stage, 53 highly expressed proteins were identified in the Knot stage. A variety of the same highly expressed proteins were identified in these three developmental stages, including: glutathione S-transferase, acetyltransferase, importin, dehydrogenase, heat-shock proteins, ribosomal proteins, methyltransferase, etc. The key pathways in the development of H. marmoreus are metabolic process, catabolic process, oxidoreductase activity and hydrolase activity. DEPs in the Knot or Pri stages compared with the Rec stage were significantly decreased in the metabolic-, catabolic- and carbohydrate-related process; and the oxidoreductase, peptidase, and hydrolase activity, which can serve as targets for selectable molecular breeding in H. marmoreus. A total of 2000 proteins were classified into eight different modules by WGCNA, wherein 490 proteins were classified into the turquoise module. (4) Conclusions: Generally, from the 3rd day to the 10th day after scratching, mycelium recovered gradually and formed primordia. Importin, dehydrogenase, heat-shock proteins, ribosomal proteins, transferases were all highly expressed in these three developmental stages. DEPs in the Rec stage compared with the Knot or Pri stages were significantly enriched in the metabolic-, catabolic- and carbohydrate-related process; and in oxidoreductase, peptidase and hydrolase activities. This research contributes to the understanding of the mechanisms of the development changes before primordium of H. marmoreus.