Mating is an essential step in the life cycle of sexually reproducing organisms. The function of mating type (MAT) genes in fungi impose barriers to self-fertilization and thus maintain genetic variability within populations. Basidiomycota constitute a large fungal group with many forms, including rusts and black spike diseases that cause plant diseases, mushrooms, and other large forms. A remarkable feature of this taxon is that they have evolved multiple alleles of mating type genes that can shape thousands of mating types. Only the mushroom-forming Basidiomycota have a large allelic series at both loci, often referred to as the A and B mating type loci. This molecular interaction that allows mating cells to distinguish between self and nonself has not only attracted great interest among fungal biologists but has also provided exciting insights into the complex interactions that control the development of higher eukaryotes.
Fig. 1. Schematic comparison of genomic regions from C. cinerea to C. disseminatus A and B mating-type loci. (James TY et al., 2006)
Services
Compared to other fungi, mushroom fungi have a complex mating type system with redundant functional loci (subloci) and many allelic subloci. Our expert team focused on the mating-type gene organization of the model organisms Schizophyllum commune and Coprinus cinereus to analyze the molecular genetics of mushroom mating. We provide linkage mapping and DNA sequencing to characterize the nature of self-compatible mutant mating types of C. cinerea and S. commune. In addition, we can provide an in-depth analysis of the molecular control of mushroom mating types in C. cinerea, simplifying cloning and comparative analysis.
We also focused on the identification of other mushroom mating type genes:
- Coprinus disseminatus
Mushrooms in the genus Coprinus provide an excellent group for studying the evolution of mating systems and mating type genes, as each known mating system is represented by multiple species. Lifeasible provides the genetic structure of the bipolar mating system of the wood-rotting fungus Coprinus disseminatus. Based on the knowledge of mating type motifs in other fungi, we can clone and sequence DNA regions containing homologs of mating type genes. In addition, we use population genetics methods to determine what changes may have occurred in the mating-type genes of the hypothetical quadrupolar ancestor during its transition to the bipolar system.
- Flammulina velutipes
The genetics of the mating type system of F. velutipes remains unknown, except for the quadrupolar mating system with multiple alleles. Lifeasible can provide the genetic structure of the mushroom F. velutipes to map the mating type genes, use comparative genomics to understand evolutionarily relevant differences in the F. velutipes locus and apply this knowledge to our clients' mushroom breeding programs.
Lifeasible offers a customized process for the identification of mushroom mating type genes.
- Strain culture.
- Genome and transcriptome sequencing of strains.
- Identification of mating type genes and analysis of predicted proteins.
- Phylogenetic analysis of pheromone receptors and pheromone receptor-like proteins.
- Hybridization of strains and isolation of mating type genes.
Available Information about Mushrooms
- The molecular nature of mating type genes.
- Evolution of multiple alleles and multispecific mating type motifs.
- The potential role of newly discovered receptor-like genes.
We can analyze the genetics behind various mushroom bipolar mating systems by using mating tests, isolation of molecular markers, and DNA sequencing of large genomic regions. Currently, mushroom mating type genes are widely used to construct haploid, mononuclear, mushroom production strains and primers for PCR-based mating type identification. In particular, genes associated with specific mating types will serve as important molecular markers for breeding. If you are interested in our services, please contact us.
Reference
- James TY, et al. (2006) Evolution of the bipolar mating system of the mushroom Coprinellus disseminatus from its tetrapolar ancestors involves loss of mating-type-specific pheromone receptor function. Genetics. 172(3):1877-91.
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