Analysis of the ERG25 gene family based on the whole-genome sequence in Trametes versicolor and its response to light stress.

Ergosterol, a precursor of vitamin D₂ and a substrate for steroid drug synthesis, is a key metabolite in macrofungi. In this study, Trametes versicolor PS genome (58.86 Mb) was assembled using HiFi sequencing and 79 genes involved in ergosterol biosynthetic pathways were annotated. Six ERG25 family members (TvERG25-1 ~ 6) were identified, encoding proteins of 327 ~ 372 amino acids with 37,617 ~ 42,809 Da MW. TvERG25-1 and TvERG25-4 displayed highly similar gene architectures, and together with TvERG25-3, shared conserved motif and clustered within subfamily II, whereas TvERG25-2 and TvERG25-6 contained fewer conserved motifs. Light-responsive elements were abundant in six genes. HPLC analysis revealed ergosterol level in T. versicolor mycelia increased under white, blue, and green light stress (P < 0.001), peaking under blue light (2076.0 ± 1.1 μg/g). Ergosterol levels correlated positively with TvERG25-2, TvERG25-4, and TvERG25-6 expression. This study establishes a basis for elucidating TvERG25 function and for developing T. versicolor strains with enhanced ergosterol content.