Transcriptome Reveals Roles of Lignin-Modifying Enzymes and Abscisic Acid in the Symbiosis of Mycena and Gastrodia elata

Gastrodia elata is a well-known medicinal and heterotrophic orchid. Its germination, limited by the impermeability of seed coat lignin and inhibition by abscisic acid (ABA), is triggered by symbiosis with fungi such as Mycena spp. However, the molecular mechanisms of lignin degradation by Mycena and ABA biosynthesis and signaling in G. elata remain unclear. In order to gain insights into these two processes, this study analyzed the transcriptomes of these organisms during their dynamic symbiosis. Among the 25 lignin-modifying enzyme genes in Mycena, two ligninolytic class II peroxidases and two laccases were significantly upregulated, most likely enabling Mycena hyphae to break through the lignin seed coats of G. elata. Genes related to reduced virulence and loss of pathogenicity in Mycena accounted for more than half of annotated genes, presumably contributing to symbiosis. After coculture, upregulated genes outnumbered downregulated genes in G. elata seeds, suggesting slightly increased biological activity, while Mycena hyphae had fewer upregulated than downregulated genes, indicating decreased biological activity. ABA biosynthesis in G. elata was reduced by the downregulated expression of 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase (NCED-2), and ABA signaling was blocked by the downregulated expression of a receptor protein (PYL12-like). This is the first report to describe the role of NCED-2 and PYL12-like in breaking G. elata seed dormancy by reducing the synthesis and blocking the signaling of the germination inhibitor ABA. This study provides a theoretical basis for screening germination fungi to identify effective symbionts and for reducing ABA inhibition of G. elata seed germination.


Introduction
Orchids are perennial monocotyledons, the third largest family in angiosperms. These plants are mainly terrestrial, epiphytic and saprophytic, and have ornamental, medicinal, and economic value [1]. Gastrodia elata Bl. is a widespread orchid that contains gastrodin, vanillanol, and other medicinal ingredients that play important roles in lowering blood pressure, increasing blood flow of the heart and brain, decreasing inflammation, and improving body immunity [2,3]. Lacking roots and leaves, Gastrodia elata is heterotrophic and depends on the symbiotic fungi Mycena spp. and Armillaria mellea (Vahl) P. Kumm to supply necessary nutrients for seed germination, tuber formation, flowering, and fruiting [4][5][6][7].

Development of Symbiotic Protocorms
Intracellular fungal hyphae in symbiotically germinating seeds were stained with the glycogen PAS kit ( Figure 1). Initially, the Gastrodia elata seeds were brown. On the fifth day of coculture with Mycena sp. WM, they became yellow. Fungal hyphae broke through the seed coat and were concentrated in the residue of suspensor cells. On the 10th day, the protocorms expanded, and fungal hyphae invaded the suspensor cells. On the 15th day, protocorms burst through the seed coat, and the apical meristem divided and differentiated, while fungal hyphae invaded the outermost 1-2 layers of proembryo cells. On the 20th day, the protocorms further expanded and became dewdrop-shaped, and fungal hyphae remained in the outermost 1-2 layers of proembryo cells. cells. On the 20th day, the protocorms further expanded and became dewdrop-shaped, and fungal hyphae remained in the outermost 1-2 layers of proembryo cells.

Genome Sequence Assembly and Annotation
A total of 23,038 Mb of clean data were obtained from next-generation sequencing in Mycena sp. WM. After statistical analysis and error correction, clean reads were assembled into 63,394 scaffolds to a final assembly of 166.99 Mb with an estimated coverage of 137 and a scaffold N50 of 4415 bp. A total of 40,275 gene models were predicted with 50.91% GC content. The predicted gene models were compared with six databases, resulting in a total of 19,648 coding genes, of which 1121 genes were annotated by COG, 1830 were annotated by SWISS-PROT, 15391 were annotated by NR, 8869 were annotated by GO ( Figure S1a), 3483 were annotated by KEGG ( Figure S1b), 445 were annotated by CAZy (Table S1), and 5024 were annotated by PHI (Table S2). PHI database annotation indicated that 56.93% of genes were classified as reduced virulence and loss of pathogenicity, while only 3.60% were related to increased pathogenicity (Table S2). The raw data are available in the BioProject repository of NCBI under the accession number PRJNA730200. The genome assembly of Mycena sp. WM was deposited in GenBank under the accession number JAHHPV000000000.

Transcriptome Sequence Assembly and Annotation
A total of 18 transcriptomes were obtained, including 3 of Gastrodia elata seeds, 3 of pure Mycena sp. WM culture, and 12 of their coculture. The clean data of each transcriptome related to G. elata were more than 6.42 Gb, with 92.69% of Q30. The mapping rates ranged from 18.93% to 96.54% (Table S3). In total, 19,845 expressed genes were detected across all 15 transcriptomes related to G. elata. The raw reads are available in the BioProject repository of NCBI under the accession number PRJNA729600. Approximately 86.04% of the expressed genes were annotated against the NR, SWISS-PROT, Pfam, COG, GO, and KEGG databases (Table S4). Venn analysis revealed that 12,532 genes were shared by the five germination time points (Figure 2a). by GO ( Figure S1a), 3483 were annotated by KEGG ( Figure S1b), 445 were annotated by CAZy (Table S1), and 5024 were annotated by PHI (Table S2). PHI database annotation indicated that 56.93% of genes were classified as reduced virulence and loss of pathogenicity, while only 3.60% were related to increased pathogenicity (Table S2). The raw data are available in the BioProject repository of NCBI under the accession number PRJNA730200. The genome assembly of Mycena sp. WM was deposited in GenBank under the accession number JAHHPV000000000.

Transcriptome Sequence Assembly and Annotation
A total of 18 transcriptomes were obtained, including 3 of Gastrodia elata seeds, 3 of pure Mycena sp. WM culture, and 12 of their coculture. The clean data of each transcriptome related to G. elata were more than 6.42 Gb, with 92.69% of Q30. The mapping rates ranged from 18.93% to 96.54% (Table S3). In total, 19,845 expressed genes were detected across all 15 transcriptomes related to G. elata. The raw reads are available in the BioProject repository of NCBI under the accession number PRJNA729600. Approximately 86.04% of the expressed genes were annotated against the NR, SWISS-PROT, Pfam, COG, GO, and KEGG databases (Table S4). Venn analysis revealed that 12,532 genes were shared by the five germination time points (Figure 2a).
The clean data of each transcriptome related to Mycena sp. WM were more than 1.45 Gb, with 92.10% of Q30. The mapping rates ranged from 9.41% to 82.39% (Table S3). In total, 28,173 expressed genes were detected across all 15 transcriptomes related to Mycena sp. WM. The raw reads are available in the BioProject repository of NCBI under the accession number PRJNA729600. Approximately 20,486 (72.72%) of the expressed genes were annotated against the NR, SWISS-PROT, Pfam, COG, GO, and KEGG databases (Table S4). Venn analysis revealed that 12,416 genes were shared by the five germination time points (Figure 2b).  The clean data of each transcriptome related to Mycena sp. WM were more than 1.45 Gb, with 92.10% of Q30. The mapping rates ranged from 9.41% to 82.39% (Table S3). In total, 28,173 expressed genes were detected across all 15 transcriptomes related to Mycena sp. WM. The raw reads are available in the BioProject repository of NCBI under the accession number PRJNA729600. Approximately 20,486 (72.72%) of the expressed genes were annotated against the NR, SWISS-PROT, Pfam, COG, GO, and KEGG databases (Table S4). Venn analysis revealed that 12,416 genes were shared by the five germination time points (Figure 2b).

Differentially Expressed Genes
Compared to the expression data of Gastrodia elata seeds, differentially expressed gene (DEG) analysis revealed fewer upregulated than downregulated genes on the 5th day of coculture, whereas more genes were upregulated than downregulated on the 10th, 15th, and 20th days (Figure 3a). GO functional annotation showed that DEGs were mainly concentrated in metabolic and cellular biological processes, membrane and cell parts in cellular components, and catalytic activity and binding in molecular functions ( Figure S2). KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that DEGs were mainly classified as phenylpropanoid biosynthesis; plant hormone signal transduction; MAPK signaling pathway-plant; starch and sucrose metabolism; and glutathione metabolism ( Figure S4). gene (DEG) analysis revealed fewer upregulated than downregulated genes on the 5th day of coculture, whereas more genes were upregulated than downregulated on the 10th, 15th, and 20th days (Figure 3a). GO functional annotation showed that DEGs were mainly concentrated in metabolic and cellular biological processes, membrane and cell parts in cellular components, and catalytic activity and binding in molecular functions ( Figure S2). KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that DEGs were mainly classified as phenylpropanoid biosynthesis; plant hormone signal transduction; MAPK signaling pathway-plant; starch and sucrose metabolism; and glutathione metabolism ( Figure S4).
Compared to the expression data from pure Mycena sp. WM culture, DEG analysis revealed that downregulated genes outnumbered upregulated genes on the 5th, 10th, 15th, and 20th days of coculture ( Figure 3b). GO functional annotation analysis showed that DEGs were mainly concentrated in metabolic and cellular biological processes, membrane and cell parts in cellular components, and catalytic activity and binding in molecular function ( Figure S3). KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that DEGs were mainly classified as ribosome biogenesis in eukaryotes; tryptophan metabolism; amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism; spliceosome, arginine, and proline metabolism; ribosome; and glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism ( Figure S5).

Fungal Lignin-Modifying Enzymes
The genomes of the four orchid mycorrhizal fungi, including Mycena sp. WM, were annotated by the CAZy database. There were some differences in the number of laccase and DyP genes, but the number of POD genes was significantly different (Table S5). As many as 12 POD genes were identified in the WM strain, but none were detected in Sebacina vermifera, Tulasnella calospora or Ceratobasidium sp. Histological observations showed that fungal hyphae broke through the seed coat on the fifth day of coculture. Therefore, a comparative transcriptome study of lignin-modifying enzyme genes was conducted between the hyphae of Mycena sp. WM in pure culture and those on the fifth day of coculture. Analysis of transcriptome expression of the 12 POD genes in the WM strain showed that 5 genes were upregulated (including 2 significantly upregulated, p < 0.05), 6 were downregulated, and 1 was unexpressed. The two significantly upregulated genes were GME42162_g and GME24208_g, with upregulation levels of 7.01-and 5.92-fold, respectively ( Table 1). Analysis of transcriptome expression of the 11 laccase genes in the WM strain showed that 3 genes were upregulated, 7 were downregulated, and 1 was unexpressed. Two genes (GME40562_g and GME8664_g) were significantly upregulated (p < 0.05), with upregulation levels of 12.58-and 7.53-fold, respectively (Table 1). Other genes, including the two DyP genes, were not significantly up-or downregulated (Table 1). Compared to the expression data from pure Mycena sp. WM culture, DEG analysis revealed that downregulated genes outnumbered upregulated genes on the 5th, 10th, 15th, and 20th days of coculture (Figure 3b). GO functional annotation analysis showed that DEGs were mainly concentrated in metabolic and cellular biological processes, membrane and cell parts in cellular components, and catalytic activity and binding in molecular function ( Figure S3). KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that DEGs were mainly classified as ribosome biogenesis in eukaryotes; tryptophan metabolism; amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism; spliceosome, arginine, and proline metabolism; ribosome; and glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism ( Figure S5).

Fungal Lignin-Modifying Enzymes
The genomes of the four orchid mycorrhizal fungi, including Mycena sp. WM, were annotated by the CAZy database. There were some differences in the number of laccase and DyP genes, but the number of POD genes was significantly different (Table S5). As many as 12 POD genes were identified in the WM strain, but none were detected in Sebacina vermifera, Tulasnella calospora or Ceratobasidium sp. Histological observations showed that fungal hyphae broke through the seed coat on the fifth day of coculture. Therefore, a comparative transcriptome study of lignin-modifying enzyme genes was conducted between the hyphae of Mycena sp. WM in pure culture and those on the fifth day of coculture. Analysis of transcriptome expression of the 12 POD genes in the WM strain showed that 5 genes were upregulated (including 2 significantly upregulated, p < 0.05), 6 were downregulated, and 1 was unexpressed. The two significantly upregulated genes were GME42162_g and GME24208_g, with upregulation levels of 7.01-and 5.92-fold, respectively ( Table 1). Analysis of transcriptome expression of the 11 laccase genes in the WM strain showed that 3 genes were upregulated, 7 were downregulated, and 1 was unexpressed. Two genes (GME40562_g and GME8664_g) were significantly upregulated (p < 0.05), with upregulation levels of 12.58-and 7.53-fold, respectively (Table 1). Other genes, including the two DyP genes, were not significantly up-or downregulated (Table 1). DyP-type peroxidase ---

ABA Biosynthesis and Signaling
The analysis of the dynamic expression levels of genes related to ABA biosynthesis showed that NCED-2 (evm.TU.scscaffold_5.245), the most critical enzyme, was significantly downregulated from the 5th to 20th day of coculture (Figure 4). In terms of ABA signal transduction, the ABA receptor PYL12 (evm.TU.scaffold_61.29) was markedly downregulated ( Figure 5).

Gene Expression Detected via qRT-PCR
To confirm the reliability of RNA-seq data, quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) analysis was performed on the four upregulated lignin-modifying enzyme-related genes (GME42162_g, GME24208_g, GME40562_g, and GME8664_g), one gene involved in ABA biosynthesis (NCED-2, evm.TU.scscaffold_5.245), and one gene involved in ABA signaling (PYL12-like, evm.TU.scaffold_61.29). The results show ( Figure 6) that the four lignin-modifying enzyme-related genes were weakly expressed in pure hyphae but highly expressed in coculture on the fifth day. The two genes involved in ABA biosynthesis and signal transduction were highly expressed in seeds and weakly expressed in symbiotic developmental protocorms. These data reveal similar trends to those obtained from the transcriptomic data.
The analysis of the dynamic expression levels of genes related to ABA biosynthesis showed that NCED-2 (evm.TU.scscaffold_5.245), the most critical enzyme, was significantly downregulated from the 5th to 20th day of coculture (Figure 4). In terms of ABA signal transduction, the ABA receptor PYL12 (evm.TU.scaffold_61.29) was markedly downregulated ( Figure 5).   ure 6) that the four lignin-modifying enzyme-related genes were weakly exp pure hyphae but highly expressed in coculture on the fifth day. The two genes in ABA biosynthesis and signal transduction were highly expressed in seeds an expressed in symbiotic developmental protocorms. These data reveal similar those obtained from the transcriptomic data.

Discussion
This study annotated genes in the orchid mycorrhizal fungi Tulasnella calospora, Sebacina vermifera and Ceratobasidium sp., and no POD genes were identified, confirming the finding by Miyauchi et al. [32]. However, as many as 12 POD genes were found in the genome of Mycena sp. WM. This implies that Mycena sp. WM might be an extraordinary symbiont. Transcriptome analysis was performed on the 12 POD genes on the fifth day of coculture compared to pure culture (d5 vs. M). The results reveal that five manganesedependent peroxidases were upregulated, of which two were significantly upregulated (p < 0.05, Table 1), i.e., the expression levels of GME42162_g (short manganese peroxidase, MnP-short) and GME24208_g (short manganese peroxidase, MnP-short) increased by 7.01and 5.92-fold, respectively. Manganese-dependent peroxidase (MnP) was reported to be key to ligninolysis in white-rot fungi [33,34]. In Phlebia radiata, MnP1-long, MnP2-long, and MnP3-short genes were highly upregulated, promoting colonization on spruce wood [35]. When Pleurotus ostreatus grew on a natural lignocellulosic solid substrate of cotton stalks, the MnP-short gene was predominately expressed. When deactivated, its ability to degrade lignin decreased [36]. Our results show that when Mycena broke through the seed coat, the upregulation of MnP-short genes was conducive to the invasion of Gastrodia elata seeds by hyphae and the establishment of a symbiotic relationship. Transcriptome analysis was performed on the 11 laccase genes on the fifth day of coculture compared to pure culture (d5 vs. M). The results reveal that three laccases were upregulated, of which two were significantly upregulated (p < 0.05, Table 1), i.e., the expression levels of GME40562_g (laccase-1) and GME8664_g (laccase) increased by 12.58-and 7.53-fold, respectively. Laccases produced in variable quantities by basidiomycete and saprophytic fungi are the most important components of the ligninolytic complex and have been commercially used for the delignification of woody materials [37][38][39][40]. After treating the seeds of Anacamptis morio (Orchidaceae) with laccase, Pierce et al. observed an increase in lignin degradation and water uptake, which in turn significantly promoted the germination of the seeds [41]. Our results show that the expression of laccase genes was significantly upregulated to produce more laccase for degrading the lignin seed coat. Taken together, these could lead to a conclusion that MnP and laccase are responsible for lignin degradation when Mycena breaks through the seed coats of Gastrodia elata. In order to validate the reliability of transcriptome data, the fold changes of RNA-seq data were compared with those of RT-qPCR data. The findings are consistent with transcriptome results; the two MnP genes and two laccase genes were weakly expressed in pure hyphae but highly expressed in hyphae when symbiosis with G. elata seeds was formed on the fifth day.
The genome size of Mycena sp. WM was 166.99 Mb with 50.91% GC content and 40,275 predicted gene models. Among them, 5024 genes were annotated in the PHI database, among which more than half were linked to reduced virulence (47.69%, Table S2) and loss of pathogenicity (9.24%, Table S2). This presumably contributes to the successful establishment of symbiosis between the fungus Mycena sp. WM and Gastrodia elata, as Jansen et al. [42] noted that virulence attenuation was related to the increased adaptability of the pathogen to the host. After their symbiotic relationship was established, the biological activity in G. elata protocorms was slightly increased compared to that of pure seeds, with more upregulated than downregulated genes, while those in Mycena hyphae were notably decreased compared to pure culture, with fewer upregulated than downregulated genes. As histologically confirmed by Fan Li et al., once symbiosis is established, the seeds of G. elata begin to grow with increased biological activity, while the fungal hyphae are restricted and digested [43].
During the formation of protocorms, five genes (ZEP, evm.TU.scaffold_23.31; NCED-1, evm.TU.scaffold_79.140; NCED-2, evm.TU.scaffold_5.245; ABA2, evm.TU.scaffold_78.141; AAO3, evm.TU.scaffold_79.110) were found to be involved in ABA biosynthesis ( Figure 4). However, the expression levels of these genes were relatively low and did not markedly change, except for 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase (NCED-2; evm.TU. scaffold_5.245), which was significantly downregulated to 6.08-16.65% compared to its expression in Gastrodia elata seeds (Table S6, Figure 4). In higher plants, the crucial role of ABA and related enzymes during the transition from seed maturation to germination has been extensively studied [44]. Carotenoid cleavage constitutes a key step in ABA biosynthesis, which is regulated by the NCED gene family [45]. In Arabidopsis thaliana, AtNCED6 is expressed specifically in the endosperm and AtNCED9 is expressed in both the embryo and endosperm; both genes are essential for inducing and maintaining seed dormancy [46]. In the orchid Phaius tankervilliae, PtNCED1 is directly involved in regulating ABA content in seed dormancy [47]. Lang et al. revealed that Triticum aestivum resisted pre-harvest sprouting when NCED was upregulated in ABA biosynthesis [48]. Our results suggest that significantly downregulated NCED-2 (evm.TU. scaffold_5.245) inhibits ABA biosynthesis, thereby reducing the inhibition of seed germination by ABA.
During the formation of protocorms, a total of 30 genes were found to be involved in ABA signal transduction ( Figure 5). However, the expression levels of these genes were relatively low and did not notably change, except for PYL12-like (evm.TU.scaffold_61.29), which was significantly downregulated to 0.37-8.54% compared to its expression in Gastrodia elata seeds (Table S7, Figure 5). The PYL family, containing 14 members (PYR1 and PYL1-13), is the largest family of plant hormone receptors [49]. This family has been reported to be involved in ABA-mediated seed germination [32]. In Arabidopsis, PYR1-PYL1-PYL2-PYL4 [31], PYL12 [50], and PYL13 [51] act as positive regulators of ABA signaling during seed germination and early seedling development. Among these, PYL12 expression was found to be high in mature dry seeds but dropped sharply after germination [50]. This is consistent with our results, suggesting that significantly downregulated PYL12-like (evm.TU.scaffold_61.29) prevents ABA signal transduction and thereby breaks the dormancy of seeds. Miao et al. utilized CRISPR/Cas9 technology to edit PYL genes in rice. The single pyl mutant pyl12 exhibited significant defects in seed dormancy, causing rice seeds to germinate before harvest [52]. Inspired by their strategy, this study could provide a reference for future research aiming to improve the germination rate of G. elata seeds.

Symbiotic Germination of Gastrodia elata Seeds
The Mycena sp. strain WM (Guizhou Wumeng Fungi Industry Co., Ltd., Bijie, China) was incubated at 27 • C for two weeks with PDA medium (potato 200 g/L, glucose 20 g/L, agar 15 g/L). Mature capsules of Gastrodia elata were obtained from the Xiaocaoba Tianma production area in Zhaotong, Yunnan, China. The surfaces of mature capsules were sterilized with 70% ethyl alcohol for 1 min and 95% ethyl alcohol for 30 s and then briefly burned in flame. Seeds inside the capsules were immediately collected in a 1.5 mL microcentrifuge tube and maintained at 4 • C in a silica gel dryer [53]. Symbiotic germination of G. elata seeds with Mycena sp. WM hyphae was performed according to the description in a previous report [54]. Germination performance was observed daily under a stereomicroscope (DFC450, Leica), and images were captured digitally using a CCD camera attached to the stereomicroscope. The formation of protocorms served as the indicator of seed germination [55]. The protocorms were carefully collected in a 2 mL microcentrifuge tube under a stereomicroscope, washed with sterile water three times, dried, and then stored in a new 2 mL sterile microcentrifuge tube. For histological observation, G. elata seeds and protocorms were placed in formalin-aceto-alcohol (FAA) fixation solution. For transcriptomic studies, the sampling time points (5th, 10th, 15th, and 20th days) were determined according to histological observations. Samples of equal fresh weight of WM hyphae (M), G. elata seeds (d0), and protocorms (d5, d10, d15 and d20) were prepared in biological triplicates and immediately stored at −80 • C.

Histological Observation
The fixed samples were processed by the conventional paraffin embedding and sectioning method [56], with some modifications. A cold plate (HistoCore Arcadia C) was used for sample embedding, and a semiautomatic rotary microtome (Leica RM2245) was used to produce slices with a thickness of 3 µm. A glycogen PAS kit (G1281, Beijing SolarBio Science & Technology Co., Ltd., Beijing, China) was used for staining. The sections were observed and the images were captured digitally using a CCD camera attached to a light microscope (Axiao Cam MRc5, ZEISS).

Differential Gene Expression Analysis
The genomic annotation file was fed into the software RSEM v1.3.1 [71] to obtain read counts of each sample gene, which were further converted to standardized gene expression levels with the fragments per kilobase per million mapped reads (FPKM) algorithm. DEseq2 [72] was used to analyze the differentially expressed genes, with screening criteria of fold change (FC) of ≥2 and false discovery rate (FDR) of <0.01. The DEGs were then analyzed using a Venn diagram, GO [64] functional classification, and KEGG [65] functional enrichment to obtain their main functions and metabolic pathways.

Quantifying Expression Levels of Target Genes by RT-qPCR
The RNA applied for transcriptome sequencing was used for quantitative PCR analyses. Primers designed with Primer Premier 5.0 [73] are shown in Table S8. The primers were synthesized by Tsingke Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Beijing, China. The Fastking gDNA Dispelling RT SuperMix (KR118-01, Tiangen Biotech Co., Ltd., Beijing, China) was used for reverse transcription. RT-qPCR with three biological replicates and three experimental replicates and calculations of relative mRNA levels were performed as previously described [74]. The 18S rRNA [74] from Gastrodia elata and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GADPH) [75] from Mycena sp. WM were used as reference loci for the normalization of gene expression.

Conclusions
The genome assembly of Mycena sp. WM was conducted in this study, and the genome of Gastrodia elata was retrieved from NGDC. Transcriptomes obtained during their coculture were mapped to their genomes separately. Four (MnP-short: GME42162_g, GME24208_g; laccase: GME40562_g, GME8664_g) of the 25 lignin-modifying enzymes in Mycena were significantly upregulated. It is suggested that Mycena secretes MnP and laccases that decompose the lignin seed coats of G. elata. As many as 2860 genes related to reduced virulence and loss of pathogenicity were annotated in Mycena. It is hypothesized that these genes contribute to the symbiosis between G. elata and Mycena. When cocultured, more genes were upregulated in G. elata while more were downregulated in Mycena. These results imply that the biological activity of G. elata seeds was slightly increased after the initiation of germination, while that of Mycena hyphae was notably decreased. When the symbiotic relationship was established between G. elata and Mycena, NCED-2 and PYL12like genes, which are involved in ABA biosynthesis and signal transduction, respectively, were downregulated to break seed dormancy. This study identified key factors in lignin degradation by Mycena and in ABA biosynthesis and signaling in G. elata seeds, providing a reference for studies on the molecular mechanism of symbiosis between orchids and fungi.