The transcriptomic response of two basidiomycete fungi to plant biomass is modulated by temperature to a different extent

• Published in: Microbiological research 2023-05, Vol.270, p.127333-127333, Article 127333
• Main Authors: Peng, Mao, Bervoets, Sander, Chin-A-Woeng, Thommas, Granchi, Zoraide, Hildén, Kristiina, Mäkelä, Miia R., de Vries, Ronald P.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Basidiomycete; Biomass; CAZymes; Fungal Proteins - genetics; Glycoside Hydrolases - metabolism; Lignin - metabolism; Plant biomass conversion; Temperature; Temperature adaptation; Trametes - genetics; Trametes - metabolism; Transcriptome; Transcriptome analysis
• ISSN: 0944-5013; 1618-0623
• DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2023.127333

Many fungi show a strong preference for specific habitats and growth conditions. Investigating the molecular mechanisms of fungal adaptation to varying environmental conditions is of great interest to biodiversity research and is important for many industrial applications. In this study, we compared the transcriptome profiles of two previously genome-sequenced white-rot wood-decay fungi, Trametes pubescens and Phlebia centrifuga, during their growth on two common plant biomass substrates (wheat straw and spruce) at two temperatures (15 °C and 25 °C). The results showed that both fungi partially tailored their molecular responses to different types of carbon sources, differentially expressing genes encoding polysaccharide degrading enzymes, transporters, proteases and monooxygenases. Notably, more lignin modification related AA2 genes and cellulose degradation related AA9 genes were differentially expressed in the tested conditions of T. pubescens than P. centrifuga. In addition, we detected more remarkable transcriptome changes to different growth temperature in P. centrifuga than in T. pubescens, which reflected their different ability to adapt to the temperature fluctuations. In P. centrifuga, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to temperature response mainly encode protein kinases, trehalose metabolism, carbon metabolic enzymes and glycoside hydrolases, while the main temperature-related DEGs identified in T. pubescens are only the carbon metabolic enzymes and glycoside hydrolases. Our study revealed both conserved and species-specific transcriptome changes during fungal adaptation to a changing environment, improving our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying fungal plant biomass conversion at varying temperatures. •Trametes pubescens and Phlebia centrifuga partially tailored their transcriptome responses to two tested plant biomasses.•More notable transcriptome change to different growth temperature was observed for P. centrifuga than for T. pubescens.•Fungal transcriptome response to changing carbon source and temperature could be linked to their geographical distribution.