A mechanistic study on the biosynthetic regulation of bioactive metabolite Antroquinonol from edible and medicinal mushroom Antrodia camphorata

Abstract Antroquinonol, an important bioactive metabolite from the edible mushroom Antrodia camphorata , was difficult to be synthesised by conventional submerged fermentation. The present study revealed the mechanisms related to the stimulatory effect of coenzyme Q 0 , camphorwood leach liquor and soybean oil on the biosynthesis of antroquinonol. Addition of coenzyme Q 0 could up-regulate the expression of S-adenosylmethionine synthetase, affording methyl group for the biosynthesis of antroquinonol. Heat shock proteins and tricarboxylic acid cycle related proteins were found to participate in the biosynthetic pathway. Camphorwood leach liquor could provide the precursor of antroquinonol by acting as donor of quinone nucleus. Soybean oil could increase the permeability of mycelial cell membrane and the extraction efficiency for the intracellular hydrophobic antroquinonol. This study advances our understanding on how stimulatory agents can be used to regulate the biosynthesis of valuable metabolites produced from mushroom mycelia and facilitate the development of submerged fermentation for potential industrial application.