LAUSR

Abstract We investigated changes in the expression of Tmpal1 and Tmpal2 , that encode phenylalanine ammonia-lyases (PALs), during the growth of Tricholoma matsutake NBRC 30605 mycelia, and the effect of exogenously added l -phenylalanine ( l -Phe), a substrate of PALs, on pal expression and methyl cinnamate production in the mycelia. Expression patterns of Tmpal1 and Tmpal2 differed during mycelial growth. Transcript levels of Tmpal2 , PAL activity, and methyl cinnamate content increased markedly in cultures supplemented with 4–6 mM l -Phe. These results indicate that l -Phe supplementation increases PAL activity that is mainly responsible for Tmpal2 expression; consequently, methyl cinnamate is abundantly produced from l -Phe.