Changes in Bioluminescence of Omphalotus japonicus Mycelia under Environmental Stress Conditions

Mi-Jeong Park1   Hyorim Lee1   Rhim Ryoo1,*   

1Division of Special Forest Products, Department of Forest Bioresources, National Institute of Forest Science, Suwon 16631, Korea

Abstract

Bioluminescence refers to the production and emission of light in living organisms. This phenomenon arises from luciferase-catalyzed oxidation reaction of luciferin. Bioluminescence is widely observed in marine vertebrates and invertebrates, as well as in some microorganisms and fungi. To date, approximately 80 species of fungi have been reported to be luminous. One such example is Omphalotus japonicus, which is a luminous fungus found in Korea. In this study, we examined the bioluminescence of Omphalotus japonicus mycelia. Light emission was detected at the edges of mycelia grown on solid agar medium. Notably, the intensity of bioluminescence was found to be significantly enhanced following wound induction. The increase in light intensity peaked at 3 h after mechanical damage. We also investigated the effects of extreme temperatures on bioluminescence. Unlike mechanical damage, high and low temperatures repressed the light emission from mycelia. Further investigations are required to reveal the physiological and ecological properties of fungal bioluminescent responses to environmental stresses.

Figures & Tables

Fig. 1.Bioluminescence of mycelia after wounding stress treatment. Mycelia were mechanically damaged with surgical blade. Images at bright field (top) and at a dark field (low) were acquired at each time points.