Comparative Genomics Across Ganoderma Species to Identify Secondary Metabolite Clusters with Cytotoxic Properties

Authors

Fatima Muhammad, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow
Maya Pasapuleti, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow
Navya Mysore, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow
Emily Abraham, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow
Rajendra P. Pangeni, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow
Braham Dhillon, University of Florida IFAS, Ft. Lauderdale Research & Education CenterFollow
Navi Gill Dhillon, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow

Publication Date

2026

Keywords

ganoderma, anticancer properties, cytotoxicity, apoptosis

Abstract

Fungi in the genus Ganoderma have been widely studied in Chinese culture for their medicinal properties and promoting overall health and longevity. Our prior work on eight Ganoderma species showed that they contain Secondary Metabolite Clusters (SMCs) that code for multiple terpenes, betalactones, and ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs). These compounds are well known for their cytotoxic and anticancer potential. Using the bioinformatics platform antiSMASH1, we previously identified and annotated the specific SMCs within these genomes that are predicted to produce such bioactive metabolites. To test the results obtained from the bioinformatics analysis, fungal extracts were prepared from G. lucidum and G. zonatum by air-drying and powdering the mushroom fruiting bodies, mixing them with 95% ethanol, followed by lyophilization. Different dilutions of these extracts were used for proliferation assays on two cancer stem cell (CSC) models, i.e. patient-derived glioma stem cells (GSCs); PN84 and GSC17 to assess the cytotoxicity potential of the fungal compounds. Proliferation was measured at 24, 48, and 72 hours, and survival analysis showed significant reductions in PN84 viability by 72 hours at 100 ppm for both extracts. Comparative transcriptomic analysis of both the fungi and the treated cancer cells will define the pathways/gene-expression changes associated with metabolite production and cytotoxic response, with qRT-PCR used for targeted validation. These findings provide experimental support for the anticancer potential of Ganoderma metabolites and justify continued investigation of these natural products for pharmacological and nutritional applications.

This Research has been presented

Florida Undergraduate Research Conference, Jacksonville, FL March 2026

Recommended Citation

Muhammad, Fatima; Pasapuleti, Maya; Mysore, Navya; Abraham, Emily; Pangeni, Rajendra P.; Dhillon, Braham; and Gill Dhillon, Navi, "Comparative Genomics Across Ganoderma Species to Identify Secondary Metabolite Clusters with Cytotoxic Properties" (2026). Bioinformatics. 9.
https://nsuworks.nova.edu/bioinformatics/9