Identifying the Pleurotus ostreatus α-amylase gene family and analyzing its expression during growth and development

α-Amylase is a crucial enzyme modulating carbohydrate metabolism that holds a significant role in the growth and development of animals, plants, and microbes. However, its role in mushrooms remains unclear. This study identified eight PoAmy genes within the genome of Pleurotus ostreatus that were distributed across three chromosomes. These genes were categorized into two distinct subfamilies based on their phylogenetic relationships and corroborated by the identification of conserved motifs. Gene duplication and homology analyses highlighted that PoAmys have undergone potent purifying selection throughout their evolutionary history. Furthermore, the cis-acting elements within PoAmys indicated heightened sensitivity to light and hormonal regulation. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) annotations suggested that PoAmys were involved in polysaccharide metabolism. Transcriptome data coupled with quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) results indicated that most members exhibited significant differential expression throughout growth and development, from the mycelial stage to the mature substrate. This study provides valuable insights into the role of α-amylase in P. ostreatus, providing a platform for future functional studies.