Expression of tyrosinase genes associated with fruiting body formation and pigmentation in Grifola frondosa

Publication date: Available online 11 April 2019Source: MycoscienceAuthor(s): Nobuhisa Kawaguchi, Mirai Hayashi, Shota Nakano, Norihiro Shimomura, Takeshi Yamaguchi, Tadanori AimiAbstractChemical and physical properties (including ultraviolet spectrum) of a brown pigment isolated from Grifola frondosa fruiting bodies were almost identical to those of fungal melanin. From the full genome sequence of G. frondosa, genes involved in the melanin biosynthesis pathway of this polypore mushroom were identified, including tyrosinases (tyr1 and tyr2). Transcriptional analyses showed dramatic changes only in the expression of tyr2 in the primordial stage. Immuno-electron microscopy using anti-tyrosinase antibodies showed that TYR2 localizes in the cell walls of primordia. Therefore, TYR2 may be closely associated with melanin biosynthesis in this polypore mushroom G. frondosa, and melanin might be produced in the cell wall.

Source: Mycoscience - April 13, 2019 Category: Biology Source Type: research