A minireview on current status in systematics of the genus Lentinula Pegler was presented addition of distinct collection of Cao Bang stain of shiitake from Vietnam, that were described as a new geographical race with morphologically specific characters intermediating between L. edodes and L. lateritia. Furthermore, non fertile hybrids (basidiosporeless lines) obtained by nonospore-crossing between Cao Bang strain and strains of l. edodes from Japan support so distinct differentiations, that Cao Bang shiitake would be suggested even at the rank of biologically distinct species
Antineoplastic Agents ; Lentinula ; Agaricales

Pheromone (PHB)-receptor (RCB) interaction in the mating pheromone response pathway of Lentinula edodes was investigated using synthetic PHBs. Functionality of the C-terminally carboxymethylated synthetic PHBs was demonstrated by concentration-dependent induction of a mating-related gene (znf2) expression and by pseudoclamp formation in a monokaryotic strain S1-11 of L. edodes. Treatment with synthetic PHBs activated the expression of homeodomain genes (HDs) residing in the A mating type locus, and of A-regulated genes, including znf2, clp1, and priA, as well as genes in the B mating type locus, including pheromone (phb) and receptor (rcb) genes. The synthetic PHBs failed to discriminate self from non-self RCBs. PHBs of the B4 mating type (B4 PHBs) were able to activate the mating pheromone response pathway in both monokaryotic S1-11 and S1-13 strains, whose B mating types were B4 (self) and B12 (non-self), respectively. The same was true for B12 PHBs in the B4 (non-self) and B12 (self) mating types. The synthetic PHBs also promoted the mating of two monokaryotic strains carrying B4-common incompatible mating types (A5B4 × A1B4). However, the dikaryon generated by this process exhibited abnormally high content of hyphal branching and frequent clamp connections and, more importantly, was found to be genetically unstable due to overexpression of mating-related genes such as clp1. Although synthetic PHBs were unable to discriminate self from non-self RCBs, they showed a higher affinity for non-self RCBs, through which the mating pheromone response pathway in non-self cells may be preferentially activated.
Lentinula* ; Pheromones* ; Shiitake Mushrooms*

The objectives of this study were to evaluate applicability of food waste compost (FWC) as a substrate for cultivation of Ganoderma lucidum, Lentinula edodes, and Pholiota adipose, and to determine contents of Ca, Mg, Na, and K in fruiting bodies (FB). FB yield per substrate in FWC-free controls was 53 +/- 4 g/kg for G. lucidum, 270 +/- 90 g/kg for L. edodes, and 1,430 +/- 355 g/kg for P. adipose. Substrates supplemented with FWC showed the highest FB production at FWC content of 10% for G. lucidum (64 +/- 6 g/kg), and 13% for L. edodes (665 +/- 110 g/kg) and P. adipose (2,345 +/- 395 g/kg), which were 1.2~2.5 times higher than the values for the controls. P. adipose contained higher amounts of mineral elements than the other species. Ca, Mg, Na, and K content in FB did not show a significant relation to FWC content.
Fruit* ; Ganoderma* ; Lentinula* ; Pholiota* ; Reishi* ; Shiitake Mushrooms* ; Soil*

Development of efficient substrate formulas to improve yield and shorten production time is one of the prerequisites for commercial cultivation of edible mushrooms. In this study, fifteen substrate formulas consisting of varying ratios of palm press fibre (PPF), mahogany sawdust (MS), Gmelina sawdust, wheat bran (WB), and fixed proportions of 1% calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and 1% sucrose were assessed for efficient Lentinus squarrosulus production. Proximate compositions of mushrooms produced on the different substrate formulas were also analysed and compared. Substrate formulations containing 85% PPF, 13% WB, 1% CaCO3, and 1% sucrose were found to produce the highest carpophore yield, biological efficiency and size (206.5 g/kg, 61.96%, and 7.26 g, respectively). Days to production (first harvest) tended to increase with an increase in the amount of WB in the substrate formulas, except for PPF based formulas. The addition of WB in amounts equivalent to 8~18% in substrate formulas containing 80~90% PPF resulted in a decrease in the time to first harvest by an average of 17.7 days compared to 80~90% MS with similar treatment. Nutritional content of mushrooms was affected by the different substrate formulas. Protein content was high for mushrooms produced on formulas containing PPF as the basal substrate. Thus, formulas comprising PPF, WB, CaCO3, and sucrose at 85% : 13% : 1% : 1%) respectively could be explored as starter basal ingredients for efficient large scale production of L. squarrosulus.
Agaricales ; Calcium Carbonate ; Dietary Fiber ; Lentinula* ; Singing* ; Sucrose

The effects of aeration through lid filters on the hyphal growth of Lentinula edodes (oak mushroom) in sawdust cultivation bags were investigated. The aeration treatment levels were traditional 27 mm hole cotton plugs, cotton balls and combinations of seven hole sizes x two hole positions (up and under) in the lids covering plastic bags containing 1.4 kg sawdust medium at 63% moisture that had been autoclaved for one hour and inoculated with sawdust spawn of L. edodes strain 921. Aeration treatment effects were measured based on the CO2 concentration at the 15th wk, as well as the hyphal growth rate and degree of weight loss of bags every 14 days for 15 wk. In bags with traditional cotton plugs, the CO2 concentration was 3.8 +/- 1.3%, daily mean hyphal growth was 2.3 +/- 0.6 mm and daily mean weight loss was 0.84 +/- 0.26 g. In the bags with 15 mm diameter holes, the CO2 concentration was 6.0 +/- 1.6%, daily hyphal growth was 2.8 +/- 0.2 mm and daily weight loss was 0.86 +/- 0.4 g. The bags with 15 mm holes had a higher CO2 concentration and lower water loss than bags with other hole sizes, but the hyphal growth was not significantly different from that of other bags. The weight loss of bags increased proportionally relative to the lid hole sizes. Taken together, these results indicate that traditional cotton plugs are economically efficient, but 15 mm hole lids are the most efficient at maintaining hyphal growth and controlling water loss while allowing CO2 emissions.
Lentinula ; Plastics ; Shiitake Mushrooms ; Sprains and Strains ; Weight Loss

The genus Aspergillus contains about 180 validly described saprophytic species. Nearly 10 percent of these species can cause a wide spectrum of infectious disease including life threatening invasive aspergillosis, colonization of the sinus and respiratory organs as well as allergic diseases. Cases of life threatening invasive aspergillosis have been steadily rising throughout the world. While prophylactic antifungal drugs have reduced the mortality due to invasive aspergillosis in immunosuppressed and immunodeficient patients, the overall case fatality rate remains well above 50% making it one of the most difficult microbial diseases to manage. A. fumigatus is by far the most common cause of invasive aspergillosis regardless of the underlying conditions of patients. Old concepts regarding the identification of Aspergillus species have strictly been based on morphological characteristics which have often been problematic due to their variability. The new classification concept employs phenotypic characteristics with multigene DNA sequences. The new method allowed differentiation of genetically distinct but morphologically similar sister species of A. fumigatus. The recently described A. lentinus is one such example which had previously been identified as A. fumigatus. Clinical diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis without waiting for isolation of culture has also made significant progress during the past 10 years. This lecture will focus on recent developments in the diagnosis of aspergillosis and the biological characteristics of A. fumigatus which renders it to be the primary cause of invasive aspergillosis.
Aspergillosis* ; Aspergillus* ; Base Sequence ; Classification ; Colon ; Communicable Diseases ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Lentinula ; Mortality ; Population Characteristics ; Siblings

Protoplast fusion is a useful technique for establishing fungal hybrids to overcome the natural barriers. The ultrastructure of protoplast and its fusion process were observed using a scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and a transmission electron microscopy(TEM). The protoplasts were variable in size from 0.5~15microm in diameter, and the mean diameter was about 3~5microm. It was impossible to discriminate protoplasts of Lentinula edodes from protoplasts of Coriolus versicolor by size and surface structure. Big aggregates of the dehydrated protoplasts were observed, after polyethylene glycol 4000 treatment. Nucleus, mitochondria, lipid granules and various vesicles having granules were scattered in the cytoplasm. The vesicles were heterogeneous in size and vary from one protoplast to another. The fused membrane layer of the two protoplasts was observed. Time protoplast membrane contact and reorganization of membrane components were essential condition for protoplast fusion. Transmission electron micrograph showed fused protoplasts and flattening of the cells in the area of the membrane contact. We hope that our electron microscopic observations provide some insights into the understanding of the fusion process of protoplast in fungi.
Cytoplasm ; Fungi ; Hope ; Lentinula* ; Membranes ; Mitochondria ; Polyethylene Glycols ; Protoplasts* ; Shiitake Mushrooms*

Sikhae is a Korean traditional beverage of saccharified rice. Its factory waste (SFW) is usually thrown away instead of being used. We developed a cheap substrate of SFW for use in liquid spawn that is known for its higher fruit body yields than grain spawn in sawdust cultivation. Mycelia of Lentinula edodes ASI 3046, which is regarded as the most suitable strain for sawdust cultivation, were cultured on six kinds of previous known media and SFW. As the seven kinds of media were applied, a Sikhae Factory Waste (SFW) was most excellent in growth. The dried mycelial weight in SFW was almost four times as much as that in the other media. In the flask culture, optimum culture conditions for the mycelial growth were obtained after 13 days of cultivation at media volume of 100 ml, 100 rpm, initial pH 4.5, and 25degrees C. The best mycelial growth was observed when MgSO4 . 7H2O and D-sucrose were added as a supplement in SFW. SWM must be a remarkable medium for L. edodes because of its simple preparation and low cost.
Beverages ; Edible Grain ; Fruit ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Lentinula* ; Shiitake Mushrooms* ; Waste Water*

Differential display of reverse transcription (DDRT)-PCR was conducted to have a profile of the differentially expressed genes during the formation of fruiting body of Lentinus edodes. The lines of L. edodes (ImHyup-1) employed were cultivated in the artificial blocks of sawdust, and the fruiting body was induced from the mycelia or the mass protruded from the brown surface of the sawdust blocks. RNAs were prepared from the four different developmental stages; mycelial, primordial, and stipes and pileus of fruiting body. The fragments of cDNA were synthesized from the combinations of the arbitrary primers and 3' one anchored Oligo-dT primer. Twelve combinations using the primers have been tested, and among them nineteen bands were identified as differentially expressed. Those genes were further analyzed by DNA sequencing and followed by homology search. Characterization of one clone was conducted as a preliminary data and more are under investigation.
Clone Cells ; DNA, Complementary ; Fruit ; Lentinula* ; Morphogenesis* ; Reverse Transcription ; RNA ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Shiitake Mushrooms*

Sixteen genomic DNA simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers of Lentinula edodes were developed from 205 SSR motifs present in 46.1-Mb long L. edodes genome sequences. The number of alleles ranged from 3–14 and the major allele frequency was distributed from 0.17–0.96. The values of observed and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.00–0.76 and 0.07–0.90, respectively. The polymorphic information content value ranged from 0.07–0.89. A dendrogram, based on 16 SSR markers clustered by the paired hierarchical clustering' method, showed that 33 shiitake cultivars could be divided into three major groups and successfully identified. These SSR markers will contribute to the efficient breeding of this species by providing diversity in shiitake varieties. Furthermore, the genomic information covered by the markers can provide a valuable resource for genetic linkage map construction, molecular mapping, and marker-assisted selection in the shiitake mushroom.
Alleles ; Breeding ; DNA* ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Linkage ; Genetic Variation ; Genome ; Lentinula* ; Methods ; Microsatellite Repeats ; Shiitake Mushrooms*