Identification, characterization and expression of a glutamic protease gene from Ganoderma lucidum

Abstract

We identified and characterized a glutamic acid protease gene (<i>GlGLP1</i>) from <i>Ganoderma lucidum</i>. The gene consisted of three exons with a total length of 807 bp containing the start and stop codons. It encoded a 268 amino acid protein containing a signal peptide. The expression level of <i>GlGLP1</i> changed during growth and after harvesting, and was increased in the fruiting body primordia in multiple strains. These results suggest that <i>GlGLP1</i> is involved in processes from mycelium to fruiting body primordium formation. Furthermore, the expression was confirmed by separating the pileus and stipe of the fruiting body. High expression of <i>GlGLP1</i> was confirmed in the pileus part approaching maturity. <i>GlGLP1</i> was also considered to be involved in pileus maturation and sporulation.