Regulation Of Selective Delignification In The White-Rot Decay Fungus Phanerochaete Chrysosporium

To gain a better understanding of the mechanisms by which the white-rot decay fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium regulates selective delignification versus simultaneous decay, differential gene expression of its two key enzymes were measured over the course of aspen and birch wood decay tests. The type of decay was determined by differential staining and scanning electron microscopy. Real-time qPCR assessed gene expression of four lignin peroxidase genes and two manganese peroxidase genes at each stage of decay. Differential expression was significant in the mnp2 gene between aspen and birch decay tests during incipient decay; abundant expression of mnp2 in aspen corresponded to early initiation of selective delignification, whereas birch underwent initial simultaneous decay in the absence of abundant mnp2 expression. The lipC gene was the most abundantly expressed lip gene at all time points in both wood species and likely plays an important role in regulating wood decay