Objective   Effects of differential expression genes (DEGs) of Sparassis latifolia cultured with varied nitrogen sources on substrate degradation were analyzed for efficient cultivation of the mushroom.

  Method   Cultured on substrates of varied nitrogen sources, such as ammonium sulfate (As), fish peptone (Pep), aspartic acid (Asp), and glutamic acid (Glu), S. latifolia mycelium growth was observed. Transcriptomes of DEGs were determined.

  Result   Of the various nitrogen sources, Asp and Glu significantly promoted the mycelial growth (P＜0.01). According to a GO enrichment analysis, the DEGs in the mushrooms were mainly related to the activities of oxidoreductase, iron ion transmembrane transport, and iron assimilation by reduction and transport. And the KEGG showed their involvement in the metabolisms of tryptophan, arachidonic acid, and nitrogen. The expressions of the ostreolysin A6, GroES-like protein, and 6-methylsalicylic acid decarboxylase genes were significantly altered by the presence of Asp and Glu (P＜0.01).

  Conclusion   The use of Asp and Glu as a nitrogen source promoted the substrate utilization through the heightened oxidoreductase activity and iron metabolism in S. latifolia. Hence, the addition would facilitate an efficient mushroom cultivation.