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Identification of genes for lignin peroxidases and manganese peroxidases in ectomycorrhizal fungi
Author(s) -
Chen David M.,
Taylor Andrew F. S.,
Burke Ron M.,
Cairney John W. G.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
new phytologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.742
H-Index - 244
eISSN - 1469-8137
pISSN - 0028-646X
DOI - 10.1046/j.0028-646x.2001.00232.x
Subject(s) - biology , decomposer , phanerochaete , gene , lignin , manganese peroxidase , agaricales , botany , peroxidase , basidiomycota , fungus , lignin peroxidase , biochemistry , enzyme , ecology , taxonomy (biology) , ecosystem
Summary• Genes for ligninolytic enzymes, normally associated with white‐rot fungi, are shown to be widespread in a broad taxonomic range of ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi. • ECM fungi were screened for lignin peroxidase (LiP) and manganese peroxidase (MnP) genes by PCR using primers specific for known isozymes in the white‐rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium , with DNA sequencing used to confirm the identity of the amplified fragments. • Genes for LiPs were detected in ECM fungi representing the orders Agaricales, Aphyllophorales, Boletales, Cantharellales, Hymenochaetales, Sclerodermatales, Stereales and Thelephorales. MnP genes were detected in only Cortinarius rotundisporus and three ECM Stereales taxa. • The presence of genes for decomposer activities supports putative evolutionary relationships between ECM and saprotrophic fungi. Expression of the lignolytic genes may facilitate ECM fungal access to nutrients associated with dead plant material in soil and potentially a supplementary carbon supply. Strict functional boundaries between ECM and decomposer fungi may be less clear‐cut than previously thought.