Transcriptome dynamics and metabolite analysis revealed the candidate genes and regulatory mechanism of ganoderic acid biosynthesis during liquid superficial-static culture ofGanoderma lucidum

Ganoderic acid (GA), an important secondary metabolite ofGanoderma lucidum, exhibited many significant pharmacological activities. In this study, the biosynthetic mechanism of GAs was investigated by comparing metabolites and transcriptome dynamics during liquid superficial-static culture (LSSC) and submerged culture (SC). LSSC was a better method to produce GA because thirteen GAs were identified from mycelia by UPLC-QTOF-MS, and the content of all GAs was higher in LSSC than in SC. Ergosterol was accumulated during the SC process inG. lucidum. Transcriptome dynamics analysis revealedCYP5150L8was the key gene regulating lanosterol flux into GA biosynthesis. Other sixteen CYP450 genes were significantly higher expressed during the culture time in LSSC and could be potential candidate genes associated with the biosynthesis of different GAs. In addition, six of the ten expressed genes in ergosterol biosynthetic pathway shown upregulated at some time points in SC. These results not only provide a fundamental information of the key genes in ergosterol and GA biosynthetic pathway, but also provide directions for future elucidating the regulatory mechanisms of GAs inG. lucidumand enabling us to promote the development and utilization of LSSC at the industrial level.

Automated summary

Comparing metabolites and transcriptome dynamics in liquid superficial-static culture (LSSC) and submerged culture (SC), this study found that LSSC is a better method for producing Ganoderic acid (GA). Key genes regulating GA biosynthesis as well as potential candidate genes associated with different GAs were identified. Additionally, upregulation of genes in the ergosterol biosynthetic pathway during submerged culture was observed, providing insights for future research on regulatory mechanisms of GAs in Ganoderma lucidum.