Complete mitochondrial genome of the medicinal mushroom Ganoderma lucidum

PLoS One. 2013 Aug 26;8(8):e72038. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0072038. eCollection 2013.

Abstract

Ganoderma lucidum is one of the well-known medicinal basidiomycetes worldwide. The mitochondrion, referred to as the second genome, is an organelle found in most eukaryotic cells and participates in critical cellular functions. Elucidating the structure and function of this genome is important to understand completely the genetic contents of G. lucidum. In this study, we assembled the mitochondrial genome of G. lucidum and analyzed the differential expressions of its encoded genes across three developmental stages. The mitochondrial genome is a typical circular DNA molecule of 60,630 bp with a GC content of 26.67%. Genome annotation identified genes that encode 15 conserved proteins, 27 tRNAs, small and large rRNAs, four homing endonucleases, and two hypothetical proteins. Except for genes encoding trnW and two hypothetical proteins, all genes were located on the positive strand. For the repeat structure analysis, eight forward, two inverted, and three tandem repeats were detected. A pair of fragments with a total length around 5.5 kb was found in both the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes, which suggests the possible transfer of DNA sequences between two genomes. RNA-Seq data for samples derived from three stages, namely, mycelia, primordia, and fruiting bodies, were mapped to the mitochondrial genome and qualified. The protein-coding genes were expressed higher in mycelia or primordial stages compared with those in the fruiting bodies. The rRNA abundances were significantly higher in all three stages. Two regions were transcribed but did not contain any identified protein or tRNA genes. Furthermore, three RNA-editing sites were detected. Genome synteny analysis showed that significant genome rearrangements occurred in the mitochondrial genomes. This study provides valuable information on the gene contents of the mitochondrial genome and their differential expressions at various developmental stages of G. lucidum. The results contribute to the understanding of the functions and evolution of fungal mitochondrial DNA.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • DNA, Circular / chemistry
  • DNA, Circular / genetics
  • DNA, Fungal / chemistry
  • DNA, Fungal / classification
  • DNA, Fungal / genetics
  • DNA, Mitochondrial / chemistry
  • DNA, Mitochondrial / classification
  • DNA, Mitochondrial / genetics*
  • Fungal Proteins / classification
  • Fungal Proteins / genetics
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal
  • Gene Order
  • Genes, Fungal / genetics
  • Genes, Mitochondrial / genetics*
  • Genome, Mitochondrial / genetics*
  • Mitochondrial Proteins / classification
  • Mitochondrial Proteins / genetics*
  • Molecular Sequence Annotation
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Phylogeny
  • Reishi / genetics*
  • Reishi / growth & development
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • Transcriptome

Substances

  • DNA, Circular
  • DNA, Fungal
  • DNA, Mitochondrial
  • Fungal Proteins
  • Mitochondrial Proteins

Associated data

  • GENBANK/HF570115

Grants and funding

This work was supported by a start fund from the Chinese Academy of Medical Science (Grant No. 431118) granted to C. Liu; the Basic Scientific Research Operation Grants for State-Level Public Welfare Scientific Research Initiatives (Grant No. YZ-12-04) granted to C. Liu; a research grant for returned Overseas Chinese Scholars, Ministry of Human Resources (Grant No. 431207) granted to C. Liu; a grant from the National Science Foundation (Grant No. 81202859) for HM. Chen; a grant from the National Science Foundation (Grant No. 81173660) for J. Lan; and the Program for Changjiang Scholars and Innovative Research Team in the University of Ministry of Education of China (Grant No. IRT1150). The funders had no role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.