The APSES transcription factor Swi6B upregulates CATALASE 1 transcription to enhance oxidative stress tolerance of Ganoderma lucidum.

As sessile organisms, fungi often encounter various stresses throughout their lifespan, resulting in the overproduction of reactive oxygen species, which impedes the normal growth of fungi. Previously, we revealed that the Swi6B transcription factor is involved in the stress tolerance of Ganoderma lucidum. However, the underlying molecular mechanism is unclear. The present study demonstrated that oxidative stress increased the levels of Swi6B. Direct binding of Swi6B to the promoter region of catalase 1 (CAT1) resulted in increased transcription of CAT1 and reduced H(2)O(2) levels in SWI6B overexpressing strains. In addition to increased Swi6B protein, the phosphorylation level of Swi6B was increased by H(2)O(2) treatment. The overexpression of SLT2, a mitogen-activated protein kinase that interacts with Swi6B, increased the phosphorylation level of Swi6B, and treatment with H(2)O(2) further enhanced this increase. As a result, both the binding of Swi6B to the CAT1 gene and tolerance to H(2)O(2) were increased in SLT2-overexpressing strains. The present findings revealed that the Slt2-Swi6B-CAT1 pathway responds to oxidative stress and contributes to improving the survival of G. lucidum in adverse environments.IMPORTANCEIn fungi, environmental stress leads to the accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species and leads to oxidative stress. Here, we found that the overexpression of the APSES transcription factor Swi6B enhances tolerance to oxidative stress in Ganoderma lucidum. Swi6B binds to the promoter region of CAT1, which increases CAT1 transcription and reduces the H(2)O(2) levels. In addition, the phosphorylation of Swi6B by Slt2 promotes the regulation of CAT1 by Swi6B. The Slt2-Swi6B-CAT1 pathway is important for the response of G. lucidum to oxidative stress.