Elucidating lignin catabolism in white rot fungi

ABSTRACT: We propose to elucidate new metabolic pathways in fungi - with a special focus on white rot fungi (WRF)- involved in the catabolism of lignin-derived aromatic compounds. Basidiomycete fungi, in particular WRF, are the most efficient organisms for the depolymerization and mineralization of lignin to CO2 and H2O in Nature and thus, WRF play a pivotal role in carbon cycling. Lignin depolymerization by WRF is mediated by the action of extracellular oxidative ligninolytic enzymes, such as laccases and peroxidases, alongside other secreted metabolites. This extracellular process has been studied for decades via analysis of lignin modifications, ligninolytic enzyme activity in fungal broths, enzyme isolation and characterization, and more recently through multi-omics analyses. Despite the massive research effort directed toward understanding how WRF depolymerize lignin, almost no attention has been dedicated to the elucidation of the intracellular metabolism of WRF in catabolizing lignin. In fact, whether or not WRF are able to catabolize lignin remains a matter of discussion and debate. The work (proposal:https://doi.org/10.46936/10.25585/60001176) conducted by the U.S. Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute (https://ror.org/04xm1d337), a DOE Office of Science User Facility, is supported by the Office of Science of the U.S. Department of Energy operated under Contract No. DE-AC02-05CH11231.

INSTRUMENT(S): Q Exactive

ORGANISM(S): Ceriporiopsis Subvermispora Trametes Versicolor

SUBMITTER: Davinia Salvachua  

PROVIDER: MSV000094781 | MassIVE | Thu May 16 18:17:00 BST 2024

REPOSITORIES: MassIVE