A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Orthrus: a Pumilio-family gene involved in fruiting body and dark stipe development in Coprinopsis cinerea
Authors: Szathmari, Benedek; Balint, Balazs; Hegedus, Botond; Viragh, Mate; Hou, Zhihao; Liu, Xiao-Bin; Wu, Hongli; Foldi, Csenge; Gagneur, Julien; Promeuschel, Johann; Csernetics, Arpad; Nagy, Laszlo G.
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Publishing place: LAUSANNE
Publication year: 2025
Journal: FRONTIERS IN FUNGAL BIOLOGY
Journal name in source: Frontiers in Fungal Biology
Journal acronym: FRONT FUNGAL BIOL
Article number: 1633301
Volume: 6
Number of pages: 13
eISSN: 2673-6128
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/ffunb.2025.1633301
Web address : https://doi.org/10.3389/ffunb.2025.1633301
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/499703410
Fruiting bodies of mushroom-forming fungi (Agaricomycetes) are complex multicellular structures whose formation is regulated by a developmental program that dynamically responds to environmental changes, such as light intensity. However, the genetic architecture and regulation of this developmental program are poorly known. Here, we characterize a novel Pumilio family gene, ort2, which influences fruiting body development, particularly the formation of dark stipes, a light-dependent alternative developmental trajectory. Phylogenetic analysis of this RNA-binding protein family in fungi revealed a distinct subfamily structure, with high conservation of each subfamily within Agaricomycetes. Reverse genetics experiments in the model species Coprinopsis cinerea revealed that ort2 disruptants produced fruiting bodies, but were deficient in dark stipe formation, whereas the overexpression mutants produced significantly more dark stipes. The gene was named after Orthrus, the two-headed dog of classical mythology, based on rare but reproducible branching fruiting body phenotypes observed upon overexpression. Our findings reveal fruiting-related functions for ort2, a novel conserved RNA-binding protein, and may serve as a novel entry point for understanding the molecular basis of dark stipe development.
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Funding information in the publication:
The author(s) declare that financial support was received for the research and/or publication of this article. They acknowledge support by the National Research Development and Innovation Office (Grant No. OTKA 142188), the European Research Council (grant no. 101086900 to L.G.N.), and the Hungarian Research Network (KSZF-65/2023, to LN.). This research work was conducted with the support of the National Academy of Scientist Education Program of the National Biomedical Foundation under the sponsorship of the Hungarian Ministry of Culture and Innovation. Supported by the professional funding of the University Researcher Scholarship Program of the Hungarian Ministry of Culture and Innovation, financed by the National Research, Development and Innovation Fund.
