Michael Davis
Mushrooms, a type of fungus, have been found to share more DNA with humans than with plants. In fact, humans share around 50% of their DNA with mushrooms. This discovery has led to various research studies on mushroom mitochondrial DNA, which plays a vital role in the mushroom's evolution, genetics, and health benefits. The mitochondrial genome in mushrooms is an important organelle that performs essential functions in eukaryotic cells. Furthermore, mushrooms have been found to possess mitochondrial DNAs (mtDNAs) that vary in size and gene order, with some species exhibiting unique gene arrangements. The study of mushroom mitochondrial DNA has provided valuable insights into the evolution and genetic relationships of mushroom-forming fungi, as well as their potential medicinal properties.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Mitochondrial DNA in mushrooms | Exists |
| Types of mushrooms with mitochondrial DNA | Hypsizygus marmoreus, Suillus, Agaricus bisporus, Ganoderma lucidum, Ganoderma applanatum, Ganoderma meredithiae, Taiwanofungus camphoratus, etc. |
| Mitochondrial DNA inheritance | Uniparental in most sexual eukaryotes |
| Mitochondrial DNA and human DNA | Humans share around 50% of their DNA with mushrooms |
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What You'll Learn
Mushrooms contain mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)
Mitochondria are vital organelles that play various essential roles in eukaryotic cells. They contain their own independently replicating genetic material, protected by a double membrane of comparable composition to the cellular membrane. mtDNA contains protein-encoding genes for key components that make up the respirasome. The mitochondrial genome plays an important role in aging, death, disease occurrence, and stress resistance in eukaryotes.
The mitochondrial genome in Hypsizygus marmoreus, a popular edible mushroom cultivated in East Asia, has been studied. The circular sequence of the mt genome is 102,752 bp in size and contains 15 putative protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA subunits, and 28 tRNAs. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Ascomycetes mitochondria started to diverge earlier than Basidiomycetes.
Studies have also been conducted on the evolution of mushroom mitochondrial DNA in Suillus and related genera. Within Suillus, mtDNAs vary in size from 36 to 121 kb and differ in gene order. The complete mitochondrial genome of the medicinal mushroom Ganoderma lucidum has also been sequenced and studied.
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Humans and mushrooms share 50% of their DNA
Mushrooms, or fungi, share nearly 50% of their DNA with humans. This is because fungi and animals share a more recent common ancestor than either do with the lineage leading to plants. Fungi split from the branch that produced both plants and animals, hence they are equidistant from both.
Fungi and animals share genetic characteristics that plants do not have. For example, both mushrooms and humans store carbohydrate energy as glycogen, while plants use starch to store energy. Fungi and insects use the polysaccharide chitin to build cell walls, while plants use cellulose. Mushrooms, like humans, also produce vitamin D when exposed to sunlight.
Mycologist and author Paul Stamets told WBUR that humans share nearly 50% of their DNA with fungi. He also said that people are waking up to the fact that there is a hidden underground network of fungi underneath every footstep that we take. According to Stamets, this network is critical for the survival of life on our planet.
Research has also been conducted on the mitochondrial DNA of mushrooms. For example, a study on Hypsizygus marmoreus, a high-value commercialized edible mushroom widely cultivated in East Asia, found that mitochondria are vital organelles that play various essential roles in eukaryotic cells. The study provided the Hypsizygus marmoreus mitochondrial (mt) genome assembly: the circular sequence is 102,752 bp in size and contains 15 putative protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNAs subunits, and 28 tRNAs. Another study examined the mitochondrial DNAs of Suillus, which vary in size from 36 to 121 kb and differ in gene order by only one major rearrangement.
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Mitochondrial genome plays a role in aging, death, disease occurrence, and stress resistance
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is the DNA located in the mitochondria organelles in a eukaryotic cell. It is responsible for coding essential subunits of the complex oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) system, which plays a role in cellular energy conversion. mtDNA is conserved across eukaryotic organisms due to the critical role of mitochondria in cellular respiration.
The mitochondrial genome plays a significant role in aging and age-related diseases. Mutations in the mitochondrial genome have been associated with diverse forms of human disease and aging. For example, ROS production contributes to tissue aging due to decreased metabolic function and energy production, increased cell death, and a decreased capacity to replicate the genome. In addition, a link between colorectal cancer and somatic mitochondrial mutations has been established.
The mitochondrial genome also influences disease occurrence. For example, mitochondrial DNA plays a role in neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, diabetes, and aging. The heterogeneity of the mitochondrial genome presents challenges to researchers, but emerging technologies are likely to aid in uncovering the underlying genetic mechanisms linking the mitochondrial genome to these diseases.
Additionally, the mitochondrial genome has been implicated in stress resistance. Certain insects and nematodes, such as moths and butterflies, exhibit higher stress resistance compared to mammalian systems. The mitochondrial genome organization, including gene expressivity and regulation, can influence how an organism responds to oxidative stress conditions. Variation in the composition and regulation of the mitochondrial genome could impact the mitochondrial role under stress.
While the focus of this discussion is on animals, it is worth noting that mushrooms also possess mitochondrial DNA. Studies have been conducted on the evolution of mushroom mitochondrial DNA in various species, including Suillus and Boletaceae.
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Mushrooms have medicinal properties
Mushrooms are a fungus, and some varieties, such as shiitake, oyster, maitake, and king oyster, have higher amounts of ergothioneine, an amino acid and antioxidant that prevents or slows cellular damage. Incorporating mushrooms into your diet can help lower your risk of cancer and keep cholesterol levels low. They contain compounds that inhibit the production of cholesterol, block cholesterol from being absorbed, and lower overall cholesterol in the blood.
Research has also shown that eating mushrooms can help with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), which is often a precursor to Alzheimer's disease. In a study in Singapore, participants who ate more than two cups of mushrooms a week had a 50% lower risk of developing MCI. Mushrooms are also a good source of vitamin D, which helps the body absorb calcium to maintain and build strong bones.
Mushrooms are also used in medicine for their bioactive compounds, which have a broad spectrum of pharmacological activities, including antiallergic, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, antiviral, cytotoxic, immunomodulating, antidepressive, antihyperlipidemic, antidiabetic, digestive, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, nephroprotective, osteoprotective, and hypotensive activities. They are also used as biological response modifiers (BRMs) in cancer treatments, useful for treating cancer, reducing the side effects of therapies, and improving the patient's quality of life.
Mushrooms are also considered a superfood, with many health advantages, including supporting immune function, enhancing mental clarity, and promoting overall well-being.
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Mushrooms are a source of vitamin D
Mushrooms are a good source of vitamin D. They are the only non-animal food product with substantial amounts of bioavailable vitamin D. They are hence a primary source of dietary vitamin D for vegans and vegetarians. The vitamin D in mushrooms is in the form of vitamin D2, while vitamin D3 is the most common form in animal foods.
Mushrooms belong to the Fungi kingdom, which makes them very different from plants and animals biologically, although they are considered vegetables from a culinary perspective. The most common mushroom species, when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, such as sunlight or a UV lamp, can generate nutritionally relevant amounts of vitamin D. The vitamin D content in mushrooms depends on factors such as the type and orientation of the mushrooms, whether they are sliced or whole, the distance from the lamp, the size of the mushroom, and the total number of pulses received.
Sun-dried and UV-radiation-exposed mushrooms are a good source of vitamin D. Like humans, mushrooms can synthesize vitamin D when exposed to UV light. However, mushrooms produce vitamin D2, while humans produce vitamin D3. Although vitamin D2 may not be as effective as vitamin D3, it helps raise blood levels of vitamin D. Some wild mushrooms are excellent sources of vitamin D2 due to their exposure to UV light. Morels are an example of such mushrooms.
On the other hand, most commercially grown mushrooms are cultivated in the dark and contain very little vitamin D. Even when grown in lit conditions, not all forms of light will cause mushrooms to produce vitamin D. Only certain growers utilize ultraviolet light to produce vitamin D-rich mushrooms.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, mushrooms have mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA).
Mitochondrial DNA is an organism's 'second genome' and plays a vital role in aging, death, disease occurrence, and stress resistance.
Mitochondrial DNA contains protein-encoding genes for key components that make up the respirasome. Mitochondrial DNA has a certain level of sovereignty and independence from nuclear DNA (nDNA) and has been found to have alternative genetic codes across species.
Many types of mushrooms have been found to have mtDNA, including the edible Hypsizygus marmoreus, Agaricus bisporus, and Suillus.
Yes, humans share around 50% of their DNA with mushrooms. This is because fungi are more closely related to animals than plants.
