Expression analysis of glucan synthase in edible mushrooms Lentinula edodes and Pleurotus eryngii and their potential for wound-healing applications
by Momo Hayashi
Category: STEM
Abstract – Mushrooms are valued in traditional medicine for their healing properties. In particular, β-glucans found in edible fungi, grains, and yeast have been demonstrated to promote wound healing. In this study, we aim to characterize the expression of glucan synthase in Lentinula edodes (shiitake) and Pleurotus eryngii (eryngii), as well as the expression in organic and conventionally-raised shiitake. Through semi-quantitative RT-PCR, we found that organic shiitake showed the highest expression of glucan synthase, followed by conventionally-raised eryngii and shiitake. Our preliminary findings suggest that organic shiitake has the highest potential for wound healing applications.