Cloning and analysis of the Oswc-1 gene encoding a putative blue light photoreceptor from Ophiocordyceps sinensis

•Wc-1-like gene Oswc-1 was cloned from genome of Ophiocordyceps sinensis.•Domain and phylogenetic analyses suggested OsWC-1 was a blue light receptor.•Groups of Ascomycota were monophyletic by WC-1 with high posterior probabilities.•Oswc-1 mRNA was light-inducible.

Light plays an important role during both sexual and asexual growth of Ophiocordyceps sinensis, one of the best-known traditional Chinese medicines. In the present study, we cloned Oswc-1, the homologue of the blue light photoreceptor Ncwc-1 of Neurospora crassa, from O. sinensis by Hi-tail polymerase chain reaction. The deduced amino acid sequence of Oswc-1 contains the similar function domains as NcWC-1 including transcriptional activation, LOV (Light, Oxygen, or Voltage), PAS (Per-Arnt-Sim) and Zinc Finger domains. Phylogenetic analysis based on fungal WC-1 supported OsWC-1 was a blue light receptor. The expression of Oswc-1 messenger RNA was up-regulated upon irradiation significantly.