Time-course transcriptome of Blakeslea trispora minus (-) mating strain during mating fermentation
Blakeslea trispora is a heterothallic zygomycete fungus of major industrial importance for the commercial production of beta-carotene and lycopene, in which carotenoid biosynthesis is strongly induced by co-culturing the compatible plus (+) and minus (-) mating strains. This project profiles the temporal transcriptome of the minus (-) mating strain at seven time points (0, 24, 48, 72, 96, 108, and 120 h) across the entire mating-fermentation cycle, covering early mating recognition, peak trisporoid signaling, maximal carotenoid accumulation, and late stationary phase. The goals are to identify stage-specific differentially expressed genes, reconstruct the regulatory network linking pheromone perception, trisporoid biosynthesis, and carotenogenesis, and uncover mating-type-specific transcriptional features of the minus (-) partner. The dataset provides a comprehensive transcriptomic resource for understanding fungal sexual development and chemical communication between mating partners, and supports the rational engineering of high-yielding carotenoid-producing strains for industrial biotechnology.