Abstract
BackgroundSexual development in Flammulina velutipes is controlled by two different mating type loci (HD and PR). The HD locus contains homeodomain (Hd) genes on two separate HD subloci: HD-a and HD-b. While the functionality of the HD-b sublocus has been largely confirmed, the status and content of the HD-a sublocus has remained unclear.MethodsTo examine the function of the HD-a sublocus, genome sequences of a series of F. velutipes strains were analyzed and tested through series of amplification by specific primer sets. Furthermore, activity of di-allelic HD-a locus was confirmed by crossing strains with different combinations of HD-a and HD-b subloci.ResultsSublocus HD-b contained a large variety of fixed Hd1/Hd2 gene pairs, while the HD-a sublocus either contained a conserved Hd2 gene or, a newly discovered Hd1 gene that was also conserved. Identification of whole HD loci, that is, the contents of HD-a and HD-b subloci in a strain, revealed that strains with similar HD-b subloci could still form normal dikaryons if the two genes at the HD-a sublocus differed. At least di-allelic HD-a sublocus, is thus indicated to be actively involved in mating type compatibility.ConclusionsHD-a sublocus is active and di-allelic. Using the new information on the HD subloci, primers sets were developed that specifically amplify HD-a or HD-b subloci in the majority of F. velutipes strains. In this way, unknown HD mating types of F. velutipes can now be quickly identified, and HD mating type compatibility conferred by HD-a or HD-b can be confirmed by PCR.
Highlights
Mating in basidiomycetous fungi is controlled by sets of specialized genes that are located at mating type (MAT) loci called MAT-A and MAT-B
We present a detailed structure of the HD locus in F. velutipes, and report primer sets with which the contents of both HD subloci in F. velutipes can be amplified
In order to maintain clarity concerning the growing number of identified FvHd genes and mating types, we propose renaming of these genes and their corresponding HD loci in a more logical fashion, based on the information that at least two HD subloci exist in F. velutipes
Summary
Mating in basidiomycetous fungi is controlled by sets of specialized genes that are located at mating type (MAT) loci called MAT-A and MAT-B Brown & Casselton, 2001; Raudaskoski & Kothe, 2010; Kües, James & Heitman, 2011; Raudaskoski, 2015), more recently referred to as HD (homeodomain) and PR (pheromone receptor) loci, respectively (Maia et al, 2015; Wang et al, 2016) Genes at these loci control the HD or PR mating type pathways that regulate various steps in the formation of a dikaryon and in sexual reproduction (Kües, James & Heitman, 2011; Kües, 2015; Maia et al, 2015; Coelho et al, 2017). Using the new information on the HD subloci, primers sets were developed that amplify HD-a or HD-b subloci in the majority of F. velutipes strains In this way, unknown HD mating types of F. velutipes can be quickly identified, and HD mating type compatibility conferred by HD-a or HD-b can be confirmed by PCR
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