Abstract
The function of small secreted proteins (SSPs) in saprotrophic fungi is, for the most part, unknown. The white-rot mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus produces considerable amounts of SSPs at the onset of secondary metabolism, during colony development, and in response to chemical compounds such as 5-hydroxymethylfurfural and aryl alcohols. Genetic manipulation of Ssp1, by knockdown (KDssp1) or overexpression (OEssp1), indicated that they are, in fact, involved in the regulation of the ligninolytic system. To elucidate their potential involvement in fungal development, quantitative secretome analysis was performed during the trophophase and the idiophase and at a transition point between the two growth phases. The mutations conferred a time shift in the secretion and expression patterns: OEssp1 preceded the entrance to idiophase and secondary metabolism, while KDssp1 was delayed. This was also correlated with expression patterns of selected genes. The KDssp1 colony aged at a slower pace, accompanied by a slower decline in biomass over time. In contrast, the OEssp1 strain exhibited severe lysis and aging of the colony at the same time point. These phenomena were accompanied by variations in yellow pigment production, characteristic of entrance of the wild type into idiophase. The pigment was produced earlier and in a larger amount in the OEssp1 strain and was absent from the KDssp1 strain. Furthermore, the dikaryon harboring OEssp1 exhibited a delay in the initiation of fruiting body formation as well as earlier aging. We propose that Ssp1 might function as a part of the fungal communication network and regulate the pattern of fungal development and metabolism in P. ostreatus.
Original language | English |
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Article number | e00761-19 |
Journal | Applied and Environmental Microbiology |
Volume | 85 |
Issue number | 15 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2019 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:We thank the Smoler Proteomics Center at Technion, Israel, for their help in protein mass spectrometry and the statistical analysis of the secretome. This study was supported by a grant from the Israel Science Foundation (ISF) to O.Y. and Y.H. D.F. was supported by a fellowship from the President of Israel fund granted by the Estates Committee.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2019 American Society for Microbiology.
Keywords
- Idiophase
- Pleurotus
- Small secreted proteins
- White-rot fungus