Selenium is a crucial trace element that necessitates exogenous supplementation and plays an essential role in human health, but its facilitation requires the conversion from inorganic to bioavailable organic forms. Selenium-enriched edible fungi provide an effective strategy for selenium fortification. Their easy cultivation, rapid growth, and excellent conversion capabilities make them ideal candidates for achieving selenium enrichment goals. This article reviews various methods for producing selenium-enriched products and highlights the benefits and functional properties of these fungi. It summarizes the mechanisms underlying selenium absorption and transformation within fungal biomass while considering influencing factors, such as environmental conditions, types of edible fungi, and sources of selenium. Furthermore, this article offers developmental recommendations to address current industrial challenges, providing theoretical references to foster healthy and sustainable advancements in this field.

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades play a central role in eukaryotic signal transduction, regulating diverse biological processes including development and stress responses. However, despite Lentinula edodes being the most widely cultivated edible mushroom worldwide, its MAPK cascade gene families remain uncharacterized, and their involvement in cadmium (Cd) stress responses is completely unknown. In this study, we performed genome-wide identification of MAPK cascade genes in L. edodes, uncovering 16 members comprising three LeMAPKKK genes, four LeMAPKK genes, and nine LeMAPK genes. Phylogenetic and homology analyses classified these genes into three putative MAPK cascade pathways. qRT-PCR analysis demonstrated strain-specific, concentration-dependent, and temporally dynamic expression patterns under Cd stress. Notably, four genes (LeMAPK1, LeMAPK7, LeMAPKK2, and LeMAPKKK1) exhibited consistent upregulation across both strains and high Cd concentrations (1 and 10 mg/L) at the 7 h time point. Based on these findings, we propose a working model for Cd stress response in L. edodes centered on these core regulatory genes. These findings may inform breeding strategies for low-Cd-accumulating cultivars and the optimization of cultivation practices to reduce Cd content, with potential implications for the sustainable development of the L. edodes industry and human health.