Agaricus bisporus genome sequence: A commentary

• Published in: Fungal genetics and biology Vol. 55; pp. 2 - 5
• Main Authors: Kerrigan, Richard W., Challen, Michael P., Burton, Kerry S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.06.2013
• Subjects: Agaricus - drug effects; Agaricus - radiation effects; Agaricus bisporus; Bioremediation; carbon; Carbon cycling; Carbon Dioxide - metabolism; Cultivated mushroom; Fruiting Bodies, Fungal - growth & development; gene expression regulation; Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal - drug effects; Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal - radiation effects; genes; Genome adaptation; geographical distribution; industrialization; leaves; lignin; lignocellulose; mushrooms; mycelium; nitrogen; Octanols - metabolism; peroxidases; phosphorus; Physiological specialization; potassium; promoter regions; soil; transcriptomics; Genome adaptation; Agaricus bisporus; Bioremediation; Physiological specialization; Cultivated mushroom; Carbon cycling
• ISSN: 1087-1845; 1096-0937
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fgb.2013.03.002

•Genomes of two phylogenetically distinct Agaricus bisporus isolates sequenced.•Adaptation to humic environment shown by gene composition and expression profiles.•Novel humic response promoter element hypothesized.•Humicolous – a new eco-nutritional classification of lignocellulosic fungi proposed.•Humicolous expands lignocellulosic categories beyond white- and brown-rots. The genomes of two isolates of Agaricus bisporus have been sequenced recently. This soil-inhabiting fungus has a wide geographical distribution in nature and it is also cultivated in an industrialized indoor process ($4.7bn annual worldwide value) to produce edible mushrooms. Previously this lignocellulosic fungus has resisted precise econutritional classification, i.e. into white- or brown-rot decomposers. The generation of the genome sequence and transcriptomic analyses has revealed a new classification, ‘humicolous’, for species adapted to grow in humic-rich, partially decomposed leaf material. The Agaricus biporus genomes contain a collection of polysaccharide and lignin-degrading genes and more interestingly an expanded number of genes (relative to other lignocellulosic fungi) that enhance degradation of lignin derivatives, i.e. heme-thiolate peroxidases and β-etherases. A motif that is hypothesized to be a promoter element in the humicolous adaptation suite is present in a large number of genes specifically up-regulated when the mycelium is grown on humic-rich substrate. The genome sequence of A. bisporus offers a platform to explore fungal biology in carbon-rich soil environments and terrestrial cycling of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.