Chromosome Mystery Of Mushrooms

how many chromosomes do mushrooms have

Mushrooms, a type of fungus, have varying numbers of chromosomes depending on the species. For instance, the oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) has been the subject of genetic studies, with researchers physically mapping some genes or phenotypic markers on specific chromosomes. Another species, Coprinopsis cinerea (formerly known as Coprinus cinereus), has been studied to gain insights into the evolution of multicellular fungi by examining its assembled chromosomes. Furthermore, the chromosome number in the two-spored cultivated mushroom Agaricus campestris Fr. var. bisporus has been reported as approximately eight by some researchers, while others have suggested a chromosome number of n = 9.

Characteristics Values
Number of chromosomes in the wild mushroom Not clear
Number of chromosomes in the oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) Not clear
Number of chromosomes in the mushroom Coprinopsis cinerea (Coprinus cinereus) Not clear
Number of chromosomes in the two-spored cultivated mushroom, Agaricus campestris Fr. var. bisporus 8

anspore

Chromosome count in wild mushrooms

The number of chromosomes in wild mushrooms has been a subject of interest for cytologists since the early 20th century. While there is limited information specifically about wild mushrooms, studies on the chromosome count of cultivated and edible mushrooms provide some insights.

One of the earliest mentions of mushroom chromosome counts is by Sass, who reported a diploid chromosome number of approximately eight in the two-spored cultivated mushroom, Agaricus campestris Fr. var. bisporus. However, Colson later reported a chromosome number of n = 9 for the same species. These studies laid the groundwork for further investigations into the chromosome counts of various mushroom species.

For example, research on the oyster mushroom, Pleurotus ostreatus, has led to the construction of a genetic linkage map. This map covers nearly the whole genome of P. ostreatus, allowing for the physical mapping of some genes or phenotypic markers on specific chromosomes. The availability of this linkage map opens up possibilities for addressing basic and applied questions related to chromosome length polymorphisms, quantitative trait loci, and breeding strategies.

Another species that has been studied is Coprinopsis cinerea (formerly known as Coprinus cinereus) . Sequencing and analysis of its chromosome assemblies have provided insights into the evolution of multicellular fungi, including gene order, whole-genome duplication, and the location of large gene families. Studies on C. cinerea have also contributed to our understanding of meiotic chromosome behavior due to its small nuclear volume, which facilitates cytological and molecular analyses.

In summary, while the specific chromosome count for wild mushrooms may not be readily available, studies on cultivated, edible, and other wild mushroom species suggest that the chromosome count varies across different mushroom species. The availability of genetic linkage maps and sequencing data is helping to improve our understanding of chromosome counts and their implications for mushroom biology, evolution, and potential applications.

anspore

Chromosome count in cultivated mushrooms

The chromosome count in cultivated mushrooms has been a subject of interest for cytologists since the early 20th century. The focus has been on the two-spored cultivated mushroom, Agaricus campestris Fr. var. bisporus, which is also known as the button mushroom and is one of the world's most cultivated mushroom species.

Early studies by Sass and Colson reported a diploid chromosome number of approximately eight and nine, respectively. These investigations paved the way for further research on nuclear behaviour and basidiospore formation in cultivated mushrooms.

The button mushroom Agaricus bisporus var. bisporus, a haploid offspring of single-spore isolates, has been found to exhibit a unique recombination landscape. It retains most of its heterozygosity by restricting recombination between homologs to chromosome ends and combining non-sister nuclei in its offspring. This mechanism explains the genetic similarity between present-day white cultivars and the first hybrid marketed in 1980.

Another cultivated mushroom that has gained economic importance is Pleurotus ostreatus, commonly known as the oyster mushroom. It is the second most important mushroom in the world market after Agaricus bisporus. The availability of a genetic linkage map for P. ostreatus has opened up possibilities for addressing basic and applied questions related to marker syntheny, chromosome length polymorphisms, and breeding strategies.

In summary, the chromosome count in cultivated mushrooms varies, with early studies reporting diploid numbers of approximately eight or nine. Further research has focused on understanding the recombination landscape and genetic similarities between different cultivars. The availability of genetic linkage maps for certain cultivated mushrooms, such as P. ostreatus, has facilitated breeding studies and applications in various industries.

Mushroom Ordering: Best Places to Buy

You may want to see also

anspore

Chromosome count in oyster mushrooms

Mushrooms, including oyster mushrooms, are classified as fungi. Fungi are distinct from animals and plants because they reproduce through the production and release of spores. Oyster mushrooms are commercially cultivated worldwide, especially in developing countries, for their ease of cultivation and high biological efficiency. Oyster mushrooms are also prized for their gastronomic value and nutraceutical properties.

The oyster mushroom, or Pleurotus ostreatus, is one of the most cultivated edible mushrooms globally. It is also a carnivorous fungus, capable of paralysing and killing nematodes within minutes. The genome sequence of the oyster mushroom has been determined to be 40.6 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 12 chromosomal pseudomolecules. The availability of a high-quality whole-genome sequence (WGS) allows the development of genome-wide markers and the construction of a saturated genetic linkage map covering all chromosomes.

Genetic linkage maps have been generated for several oyster mushroom species, including P. ostreatus, Pleurotus pulmonarius, Pleurotus eryngii, and Pleurotus tuoliensis. The genetic linkage map of P. ostreatus covers nearly its entire genome. The availability of this map opens up the possibility of addressing basic and applied questions related to marker syntheny, chromosome length polymorphisms, and quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping. QTL mapping facilitates marker-assisted breeding, which is important for improving commercially desirable traits such as cap colour.

The cap colour of the oyster mushroom is determined by a major locus (PPC1) on chromosome 8, with several smaller QTL modifiers. Consumers generally prefer darker mushrooms, so breeding efforts are focused on producing superior cultivars with darker caps. The genetic control of cap colour must be understood to perform marker-assisted breeding effectively.

Mushrooms and HS: Is There a Link?

You may want to see also

anspore

Chromosomal rearrangement in mushrooms

The number of chromosomes in mushrooms varies across different species. For instance, the mushroom Coprinopsis cinerea has 13 chromosomes, while the oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) has 178 chromosomes.

In Neurospora, for example, chromosome rearrangements are often signalled by the appearance of unpigmented deficiency ascospores. Different types of rearrangements have been observed, including reciprocal translocations, insertional translocations, quasiterminal translocations, pericentric inversions, intrachromosomal transpositions, and complex or cryptic rearrangements. These rearrangements can have various effects on the mushroom's phenotype and environmental adaptation. For instance, in Penicillium chrysogenum, specific DNA sequences have been found to lead to amplifications of gene clusters involved in penicillin biosynthesis.

Chromosomal rearrangements can also play a role in genetic mapping and breeding strategies. For instance, the construction of a genetic linkage map for Pleurotus ostreatus has enabled the physical mapping of genes and phenotypic markers on specific chromosomes. This information can be used to design breeding strategies and positional cloning of genes of interest. Additionally, the availability of a linkage map allows for the analysis of chromosome length polymorphisms and the study of genetic control over polygenic characters, such as growth rate, yield, and pathogen tolerance.

anspore

Genetic linkage mapping in mushrooms

The number of chromosomes in mushrooms varies between species. For instance, the chromosome number in the two-spored cultivated mushroom, Agaricus campestris Fr. var. bisporus, was determined to be approximately eight. However, a later, more comprehensive study reported a chromosome number of n = 9.

Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus)

Pleurotus ostreatus, also known as the oyster mushroom, is the second most important mushroom in the world market. It is edible and has various applications beyond food production, including paper pulp bleaching, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. Despite its economic significance, limited genetic studies have been conducted due to challenges in performing directed crosses between strains and inconsistent data regarding its genetic material.

To address these challenges, researchers have constructed a genetic linkage map of P. ostreatus. This map is based on the segregation of 178 random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers and 23 restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers. The availability of this genetic linkage map opens up possibilities for addressing basic and applied questions related to marker syntheny between strains and species, chromosome length polymorphisms, and mapping quantitative trait loci (QTL).

Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus cornucopiae)

Pleurotus cornucopiae is one of the main oyster mushroom species, known for its dark-gray caps. It is commercially grown and consumed worldwide, and its easy cultivation and high biological efficiency make it an important protein source in developing countries. However, the shortage of superior cultivars remains a problem in the oyster mushroom industry.

To address this issue, researchers have constructed a saturated genetic linkage map of P. cornucopiae using a segregating population of 122 monokaryons and 3,449 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers. This map covers 961.6 centimorgans (cM) with an average marker spacing of 0.27 cM. The genetic linkage map was used to assist in genome assembly and identify six QTLs that control cap color, accounting for a total phenotypic variation of 65.6%. These findings provide a foundation for marker-assisted breeding and studies on the biological mechanisms regulating cap color in oyster mushrooms.

Mushroom Mystery: Black Inside Explained

You may want to see also

Frequently asked questions

The number of chromosomes in mushrooms varies depending on the species. For example, the oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) has a diploid chromosome number of approximately eight, while the Coprinopsis cinerea mushroom has a higher number of chromosomal rearrangements.

The chromosome count in mushrooms is influenced by factors such as the species, mating-type loci, and environmental conditions. For instance, the oyster mushroom has a different chromosome count compared to the Coprinopsis cinerea species.

Understanding the chromosome count in mushrooms, such as the oyster mushroom, can provide insights into their genetics, evolution, and potential applications. This knowledge can be applied in fields like food production, paper pulp bleaching, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.

Written by
Reviewed by

Explore related products

Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment