# The Role of Nitric Oxide in the Growth and Development of Schizophyllum commune Under Anaerobic Conditions

## TL;DR

This paper explores how nitric oxide affects the growth of a fungus called Schizophyllum commune in low-oxygen environments.

## Contribution

The study reveals that nitric oxide plays a critical role in fungal growth and spore development under anaerobic conditions.

## Key findings

- Endogenous nitric oxide levels increase during mycelial growth and spore germination.
- Nitric oxide scavenging inhibits growth and spore germination while reducing gene expression.
- Exogenous nitric oxide promotes mycelial growth and primordia formation.

## Abstract

Nitric oxide (NO) is a widely recognized signaling molecule found across various organisms, yet its specific effects on fungal growth and development under anaerobic conditions remain underexplored. This study investigates how NO influences the growth and development of Schizophyllum commune 20R-7-F01 under anaerobic environments. The results demonstrated an increase in endogenous NO levels during mycelial growth and basidiospore germination. The addition of cPTIO, a NO scavenger, inhibited mycelial growth, delayed basidiospore germination, and reduced the expression of genes involved in basidiospore germination, highlighting the critical role of NO in fungal growth and development. On the other hand, exogenous NO supplementation accelerated mycelial growth and facilitated the formation of primordia, suggesting NO’s potential as a key regulator of fungal development. These findings deepen our understanding of NO’s contribution to fungal growth in anaerobic conditions and offer new perspectives on its role as a signaling molecule in the development of S. commune communities, shedding light on the metabolic regulation of anaerobic microorganisms.