# Gene expression profiling to elucidate the promotive effects of the volatile organic compound 3-octanone on the mycelial growth of Ganoderma lucidum

## TL;DR

This study shows that 3-octanone promotes the growth of Ganoderma lucidum mycelium and identifies genes involved in this process.

## Contribution

The study identifies specific genes and pathways activated by 3-octanone to promote fungal growth in G. lucidum.

## Key findings

- 3-octanone promotes mycelial growth in G. lucidum, unlike 1-octen-3-ol and 3-octanol.
- 590 genes were differentially expressed after 3-octanone exposure, including those related to cell wall biosynthesis and polysaccharide degradation.
- 3-octanone may act as a signal for G. lucidum to expand its territory in wood.

## Abstract

To investigate the effects of fungal volatile organic compounds (FVOCs) on the mycelial growth of Ganoderma lucidum, and to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the growth-promoting effect of 3-octanone. G. lucidum was cultivated with 1-octen-3-ol, 3-octanol and 3-octanone for 7 days, after which colony diameter and mycelial dry weight were measured to assess their effects on mycelial growth. RNA-seq was used to investigate gene expression changes following 3-octanone exposure. While 1-octen-3-ol or 3-octanol inhibited mycelial growth in G. lucidum, 3-octanone promoted it. In total, 590 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), including 162 upregulated and 428 downregulated genes, were identified following 3-octanone exposure. Functional annotation revealed that among the DEGs, 23 genes were related to fungal cell wall biosynthesis and remodeling, whereas 21 genes were involved in plant-derived polysaccharide degradation. Furthermore, significant expression changes were observed in genes related to secondary metabolism. Our results indicate that G. lucidum can use 3-octanone as a signal to recognize other fungi, potentially facilitating the expansion of its own territory within wood in nature.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10529-026-03698-5.