Order Polyporales Research Articles

Biodiversity of Macrofungi in Mapinguari National Park, Amazonas, Brazil

Objective: This study aimed to survey the fungal species found in PARNA Mapinguari-AM. Theoretical framework: Fungi are well known for their function as decomposers of organic matter, and have great ecological importance for maintaining the cycle of life. In the Amazon region, there is a vast diversity of macrofungi present, which can have very useful and important applications. These are important for human life, as they stand out in several areas, mainly ecological and economic. Method: The field research was carried out in the period from July to October 2022 and from September to November 2023. On the three trails existing in the park, it was decided to work only on trail 01 due to access and logistics of the research. The walking method was used along the 5 km of each trail, in order to demarcate the areas of possible macrofungi in substrates. Results and Discussion: Twenty-nine species of macrofungi were found and identified, divided into five families with the highest occurrence in the order Polyporales. Positive results were obtained, since the Mapinguari National Park has a large quantity of decomposing substrates, in addition to parts with high humidity, thus making it possible to find an excessive quantity of macrofungi specimens. Implications of the research: The results of this unprecedented study carried out in the area reveal the potential of the rich fungal biodiversity. Originality/value: Studies of macrofungi surveys contribute to the expansion of knowledge of mycological diversity. Therefore, the implementation of environmental education through interpretive trails as a perspective for this conservation unit in order to preserve and conserve the species of macrofungi existing in the park, as well as recording the existing macrofungi from trails 2 and 3 of the Mapinguari National Park are of fundamental importance for scientific knowledge.

Unveiling the Diversity and Ecological Roles of Macrofungi in Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve, Selangor, Malaysia

The biodiversity of macrofungi in remaining lowland dipterocarp forest in highly urbanization pressures is infrequently studied, even though their significant impact on the ecosystem of forested and non-forested habitats. Therefore, this research endeavours to unravel the diversity of macrofungi from different substrates in the Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve located in Selangor, Malaysia. Through a combination of field surveys, the study seeks to contribute valuable insights into the complex relationships between macrofungi and the surrounding habitats where macrofungal community structure was mainly influenced by substrate richness and microclimates. Sporocarps of macrofungi were collected from selected sites using opportunistic sampling methods. A total of 333 sporocarps were obtained and identified based on morphological and molecular analysis. Basidiomycota prevailed in the Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve where 27 species belonging to 14 families were successfully identified. Saprophytic fungi (22 species, 81.5%) dominated the areas, and a small number of mycorrhizal (1 species, 3.7%) and parasitic (4 species, 14.8%) fungi were found. Based on species diversity, order Polyporales is the highest occurrence species in the sampling areas with a Shannon-Weiner Index value of 2.103 and Simpson Index value of 0.954, Evenness Index value of 0.601, making it the most abundant order containing Microporus species, The findings are expected to enhance our knowledge of the biodiversity of macrofungi from different substrates in Ayer Hitam Forest Reserve, which can lead to conservation efforts and promote the ecological significance of macrofungi in tropical forest ecosystems.

Screening of Antibacterial and Antifungal Activities of Basidiomycetes Extracts

Background. Basidiomycetes have high biosynthetic capabilities. Their metabolites are capable of exhibiting antimicrobial properties, thereby being promising molecules for use in medicine or for further chemical transformation. The aim of the work. Evaluation of antibacterial and antifungal properties of culture liquid of basidiomycetes from the orders Agaricales and Polyporales, selection of active strains for further research. Materials and methods. The objects of the study were 10 strains of 10 basidiomycetes species from the orders Agaricales and Polyporales. Filtrates of culture liquids obtained as a result of submerged cultivation of fungi, their ethyl acetate extracts and post-extraction liquids were tested. The culture liquid of Fomitopsis betulina was also extracted with chloroform and butanol. Antibacterial and antifungal effects were studied by diffusion from wells into agar. Results. All the studied strains of basidiomycetes showed antibacterial activity. The highest activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria was observed in strains of 3 species from the order Polyporales: Fomes fomentarius, F. betulina and F. pinicola. Antifungal activity was shown by 6 out of 10 studied cultures of basidiomycetes. The comparative series of extractants compiled by their effectiveness (ethyl acetate > butanol > chloroform) testified to the advantage of using polar solvents to extract antimicrobial metabolites of F. betulina from the its culture liquid. Conclusion. Three promising strains of basidiomycetes — producers of antimicrobial metabolites were selected.Among the studied species, representatives of the order Polyporales showed the greatest activity. Polar solvents extracted antimicrobial metabolites of F. betulina from its culture liquid more efficiently than non-polar chloroform. The obtained results demonstrate the ability of basidiomycetes to produce metabolites with antimicrobial properties. It is noted that species of the order Polyporales are more active than representatives of Agaricales.

Systematic and structural analysis of forest mycobiota with the participation of Abies alba Mill. in the Pokutsko-Bukovyna Carpathians

The value and uniqueness of forest ecosystems are determined by their species diversity and biotic resistance to negative environmental impacts. The aim of the study is to determine the species composition, systematic position, trophic specialization, as well as the occurrence and abundance of forest mycobiota with Abies alba in the Pokutsko-Bukovyna Carpathians. The study was conducted in 2019-2023 within the forests of the branches “Kutske Forestry”, “Ivano-Frankivsk Forestry” and “Beregomet Forestry” of the State Specialized Enterprise “Forests of Ukraine”, as well as the forests of the National Nature Park “Vyzhnytskyi” and the National Nature Park “Hutsulshchyna”. Classical mycological identification methods were used in the study. Information from the interactive databases Index Fungorum, MycoBank, and World of Fungi of Ukraine was used to clarify the current systematic position and current names of taxa. It was found that the consortial relationships of the fungal biota of the Pokutsko-Bukovyna Carpathians forests are most closely related to the woody plants Picea abies, Abies alba, and Fagus sylvatica. During the mycological expedition, 54 species of representatives of the kingdom Fungi were identified, 81.5% of which belong to the order Basidiomycota and 18.5% to the order Ascomycota. It was found that the most numerous is the order Polyporales, and the least numerous are the orders Corticiales, Gomphales, Phallales, Pucciniales and Tremellales. It is shown that, according to trophic specialization, representatives of the studied mycobiota of the Pokutsko-Bukovyna Carpathians belong to the following groups: xylotrophic facultative saprotroph, xylotrophic facultative pathogen, xylotrophic obligate saprotroph, obligate pathogen and aboveground saprotroph. It is noted that the most widely represented are saproxylytrophs, which generally develop on dead and fallen wood. Thus, the systemic and structural analysis of the fungal biota of the Pokutsko-Bukovyna Carpathians forests allows for assessing the biocenotic value of fungi as bioindicators of the current state of stands, as well as identifying reference and valuable areas characterized by high biodiversity

Four New Fungal Species in Forest Ecological System from Southwestern China.

Four new wood-inhabiting fungi were found in Southwestern China within the genera Phanerochaete, Phlebiopsis, Asterostroma, and Vararia of the families Phanerochaetaceae and Peniophoraceae, belonging to the orders Polyporales and Russulales individually. Combined with their morphological characteristics and molecular biological evidence, the present study describes them as new fungal taxa. Asterostroma yunnanense is characterized by the resupinate, membranaceous to pellicular basidiomata with a cream to salmon-buff hymenial surface, hyphal system dimitic bearing simple-septa, thin- to thick-walled, yellowish brown asterosetae with acute tips, and thin-walled, echinulate, amyloid, globose basidiospores. Phanerochaete tongbiguanensis is characterized by the resupinate basidiomata with a white to cream hymenial surface, a monomitic hyphal system with simple-septa generative hyphae, the presence of subclavate cystidia covered with a lot of crystals, and oblong ellipsoid basidiospores (6-9 × 3-4.5 µm). Phlebiopsis fissurata is characterized by the membranaceous, tuberculate basidiomata with a buff to slightly brown hymenial surface, a monomitic hyphal system with simple-septa, conical cystidia, and broadly ellipsoid. Vararia yingjiangensis is characterized by a corky basidiomata with a pinkish buff to cinnamon-buff hymenial surface, cracking, yellowish dichohyphae with slightly curved tips, subulate gloeocystidia, and thick-walled, ellipsoid basidiospores (6.5-11.5 × 5-7 µm). The phylogenetic analyses of ITS + nLSU revealed that the two new species were nested into the genera Phanerochaete and Phlebiopsis within the family Phanerochaetaceae (Polyporales), in which Phanerochaete tongbiguanensis was sister to P. daliensis; Phlebiopsis fissurata was grouped with P. lamprocystidiata. Two new species were clustered into the genera Asterostroma and Vararia within the family Peniophoraceae (Russulales), in which Asterostroma yunnanense was sister to A. cervicolor; Vararia yingjiangensis formed a single branch.

Phylogenetic and Taxonomic Analyses Reveal Three New Wood-Inhabiting Fungi (Polyporales, Basidiomycota) in China.

Three new wood-inhabiting fungal species, Cerioporus yunnanensis, Perenniporiopsis sinensis, and Sarcoporia yunnanensis, are proposed based on a combination of the morphological features and molecular evidence. Cerioporus yunnanensis is characterized by the pileate basidiomata having a fawn brown to black pileal surface, a dimitic hyphal system with clamped generative hyphae, and the presence of the fusoid cystidioles and cylindrical basidiospores (9-12.5 × 3.5-5 µm). Perenniporiopsis sinensis is distinct from the osseous pileus with verrucose, an orange-yellow to dark reddish-brown pileal surface with a cream margin, a trimitic hyphal system with clamped generative hyphae, and the presence of the fusiform cystidioles and ellipsoid basidiospores (9-11 × 5.5-6.5 µm). Sarcoporia yunnanensis is typical of the pileate basidiomata with a salmon to reddish-brown pileal surface, a monomitic hyphal system with clamped generative hyphae, and the presence of the ellipsoid basidiospores (4-5.5 × 2.5-4 µm). Sequences of ITS + nLSU + mt-SSU + TEF1 + RPB1 + RPB2 genes were used for the phylogenetic analyses using maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony, and Bayesian inference methods. The multiple genes with six loci analysis showed that the three new species nested within the order Polyporales, in which C. yunnanensis and P. sinensis nested into the family Polyporaceae, and S. yunnanensis grouped into the family Sarcoporiaceae.

Polypore funga and species diversity in tropical forest ecosystems of Africa, America and Asia, and a comparison with temperate and boreal regions of the Northern Hemisphere

Polypores play a crucial role in energy recycling and forest regeneration in forest ecosystems. The majority of them are wood degraders; some are forest pathogens and others are ectomycorrhizal symbionts. The basidiocarps provide food and shelter for many organisms, mostly invertebrates, but also some vertebrates, as well as food and medicine for humans. Despite extensive research on the species diversity and phylogenetic relationships of polypores in recent years, there remains a lack of comprehensive understanding of their distribution patterns and species composition at the large scale. Checklists of polypores from the tropical zone, including tropical Africa, tropical America, and tropical Asia, were analyzed for species diversity, distribution patterns, major taxa, and nutritional modes. A total of 1,902 polypore species was found in the three regions, representing 8 orders, 46 families, and 250 genera of Agaricomycetes. The orders Polyporales (especially the family Polyporaceae) and Hymenochaetales (especially the family Hymenochaetaceae) had the most prolific taxa, with their species accounting for 93.4% of the total polypores listed. Each of 1,565 (or 82.3%) of the total 1,902 species were found in only one of the three regions studied, and we treat them temporarily as “regional endemic species”. Only 141 species were shared among all three regions, accounting for a mere 7.4%. Tropical Africa and tropical America had the greatest number of shared species and the highest Sørensen similarity index (SC) value. Tropical forests had a higher species richness compared with temperate to boreal forests of the Northern Hemisphere, and in addition, also a higher proportion of white rot polypores compared to brown rot and ectomycorrhizal species. This study outlines the distribution patterns and species diversity of polypores in the world, shedding light on their ecological significance in diverse ecosystems.

A revised genus-level classification for Cerrenaceae (Polyporales, Agaricomycetes).

Cerrenaceae is a small family of polypores and hydnoid fungi in the order Polyporales (Basidiomycota). The family consists of white-rot fungi, some of which are serious tree pathogens. Combining morphological evidence with a phylogenetic dataset of six genetic markers, we revise generic concepts in the family and propose a seven-genus classification system for the family. Two genera are introduced as new: the monotypic Acanthodontia for Radulodon cirrhatinus, and Lividopora for the Rigidoporus vinctus complex. We re-introduce the name Somion for the Spongipellis delectans complex. Other recognized genera in the family are Cerrena, Irpiciporus, Pseudolagarobasidium, and Radulodon. New species introduced are Irpiciporus branchiformis from Tanzania, Lividopora armeniaca, and L. facilis from Southeast Asia, and Somion strenuum from East Asia. We provide nomenclatural comments on all the names combined to the above Cerrenaceae genera and typify Cerrena unicolor, C. zonata, Polyporus carneopallens (= L. vincta), Somion occarium, and S. unicolor. The genus Hyphoradulum belongs to Cystostereaceae (Agaricales), and we transfer the type species H. conspicuum to Crustomyces. Our study highlights the importance of integrating different basidiocarp types in analyses when revising genus classification in macrofungi. Citation: Miettinen O, Vlasák J, Larsson E, Vlasák J Jr., Seelan JSS, Hernawati, Levicky Q, Larsson K-H, Spirin V (2023). A revised genus-level classification for Cerrenaceae (Polyporales, Agaricomycetes). Fungal Systematics and Evolution 12: 271-322. doi: 10.3114/fuse.2023.12.14.

Natural deadwood hosts more diverse pioneering wood‐inhabiting fungal communities than restored deadwood

Deadwood can be recreated as a forest restoration measure to increase the amount of deadwood and assist deadwood‐dependent biodiversity. While deadwood restoration is known to have an overall positive effect on associated species in the long term, it remains poorly understood how and when wood‐inhabiting organisms colonize different kinds of deadwood, which is essential for developing efficient restoration frameworks. In this study, we use DNA metabarcoding to compare wood‐inhabiting fungal communities between fresh naturally fallen spruce logs and spruce logs felled for restoration. The results show that although pioneering fungal community composition greatly differs between natural and felled logs, with natural logs hosting more species‐rich and heterogeneous communities, felled logs still hold a relatively high fungal diversity. Responses to log type carried a strong phylogenetic signal, and orders Polyporales and Hymenochaetales including most species of conservation concern were more likely to occur in natural than in felled logs. Furthermore, we found that log type was more important for rarely recorded than commonly recorded taxa, suggesting that rare species might be more specialized in their habitat requirements than the common ones. Overall, while restored deadwood can hold a high fungal diversity, the results underline that freshly felled logs do not mimic fresh natural logs. Deadwood restoration should focus not only on increasing the quantity of deadwood but also on the quality of thereof, and most importantly, retaining the existing natural deadwood rather than artificially downing trees.

Macrofungal Diversity in Selected Coastal Mangrove Ecosystems in Guyana, South America

Macrofungi in mangrove ecosystems remain understudied, especially in Guyana. An investigation of the macrofungal diversity in selected coastal mangrove ecosystems in Guyana was carried out, which yielded 19 species belonging to 18 genera, 14 families, nine (9) orders, five (5) classes and two (2) phyla. Majority of the species identified (89%) belong to the phylum Basidiomycota. Consequently, 78% of the species identified were found thriving on the stems, barks and wood above the high tide line, which accounts for the high diversity for the class Agaricomycetes (80%) and orders Polyporales (40%) and Agaricales (25%) since the majority of species are wood-based fungi.
 Sampling was done during the dry season from the overwash ecosystem of old-growth mangrove ecosystems and rehabilitated mangrove ecosystems, revealing that most of the species identified (17) belong to the old-growth mangrove ecosystems. Four (4) species (Fomes fomentarius, Gloeophyllum sepiarium, Phaeolus schweinitzii, and Schizophyllum commune) were found in the old and rehabilitated mangrove ecosystems. 
 Additionally, it was noted that environmental parameters positively and negatively affect macrofungal growth. That is, there is a specific range for each parameter in which macrofungi thrive, and if an increase or decrease beyond those ranges occurs, species diversity decreases.

An HMM approach expands the landscape of sesquiterpene cyclases across the kingdom Fungi.

Sesquiterpene cyclases (STC) catalyse the cyclization of the C15 molecule farnesyl diphosphate into a vast variety of mono- or polycyclic hydrocarbons and, for a few enzymes, oxygenated structures, with diverse stereogenic centres. The huge diversity in sesquiterpene skeleton structures in nature is primarily the result of the type of cyclization driven by the STC. Despite the phenomenal impact of fungal sesquiterpenes on the ecology of fungi and their potentials for applications, the fungal sesquiterpenome is largely untapped. The identification of fungal STC is generally based on protein sequence similarity with characterized enzymes. This approach has improved our knowledge on STC in a few fungal species, but it has limited success for the discovery of distant sequences. Besides, the tools based on secondary metabolite biosynthesis gene clusters have shown poor performance for terpene cyclases. Here, we used four sets of sequences of fungal STC that catalyse four types of cyclization, and specific amino acid motives to identify phylogenetically related sequences in the genomes of basidiomycetes fungi from the order Polyporales. We validated that four STC genes newly identified from the genome sequence of Leiotrametes menziesii, each classified in a different phylogenetic clade, catalysed a predicted cyclization of farnesyl diphosphate. We built HMM models and searched STC genes in 656 fungal genomes genomes. We identified 5605 STC genes, which were classified in one of the four clades and had a predicted cyclization mechanism. We noticed that the HMM models were more accurate for the prediction of the type of cyclization catalysed by basidiomycete STC than for ascomycete STC.

A checklist of wild mushroom diversity and distribution in the Jahangirnagar University campus area, Bangladesh

This comprehensive study focuses on a checklist survey of wild mushrooms and documents their morphological variability and diversity at Jahangirnagar University, a natural and social forest area in Bangladesh. Through field studies on the campus grounds from June to October 2021, 60 samples were collected from which 40 species were identified by morphological characters, belonging to 33 genera, 26 families, and 10 orders. Most species were identified from the order Agaricales and the highest frequency (83.33%) from the orders Polyporales and Agaricales. The highest species abundance was 83.33% for Ganoderma spp., Crepidotus applanatus and the density was 70% for Marasmiellus candidus. The dominant species were Ganoderma spp., Coprinus disseminates, Marasmius spp., Schizophyllum commune, Calvulina coralloides. The wild mushrooms were prevalent in the natural forest areas of the Jahangirnagar University campus. As far as we are aware, this report is the very first work on wild mushrooms or macro-fungi on the campus of Jahangirnagar University. This survey shows that the campus grounds are enriched with a wide variety of wild mushrooms.
 Jahangirnagar University J. Biol. Sci. 11(1 & 2): 41-67, 2022 (June & December)

Cover: Journal of Basic Microbiology. 11/2022

Journal of Basic MicrobiologyVolume 62, Issue 11 p. 1287-1287 COVER PICTUREFree Access Cover: Journal of Basic Microbiology. 11/2022 First published: 04 November 2022 https://doi.org/10.1002/jobm.202270021AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Abstract Cover illustration: Ganoderma sp., belonging to the division of Basidiomycota and order Polyporales (Photo: Naveen Kumar Vishven and Anbazhagan Sathiyaseelan, Department of Bio-Health Convergence, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea) Volume62, Issue11Special Issue: Biomolecules from fungi for agriculture and pharmaceutical applicationsNovember 2022Pages 1287-1287 RelatedInformation

MOLECULAR IDENTIFICATION AND GERMPLASM CONSERVATION OF WILD MUSHROOMS FROM MAYANTOC, TARLAC, PHILIPPINES

Tarlac is a landlocked province located in Central Luzon, Philippines. It has natural forests containing natural vegetation which offers favorable surroundings for the mushrooms to grow. In this study, a collection of macrofungi was conducted, followed by molecular identification. The genomic DNA was extracted through CTAB method, and amplified the ITS region using Internal Transcribe Spacer (ITS) gene marker. The amplified products were sequenced and identified using BLAST NCBI analysis. There are 25 mushroom samples that were successfully identified and with high similarity with those of other related species retrieved from GenBank. The samples were classified into 6 orders, 12 families, 15 genera, and 25 species from Basidiomycota and Ascomycota which separated into two branches in the phylogeny tree. The tree also shows that the most species collected were from the order Polyporales with 11 species grouped in the first clade followed by Agaricales with 8 mushroom species. A portion of the fruiting body with 15% glycerol and all the mycelial samples were transferred in cryovials and placed in a cryofreezer for preservation.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the white-rot fungus Phanerochaete sordida YK-624

The white-rot fungus Phanerochaete sordida (Karsten) Eriksson and Ryvarden 1978 is known for its excellent ligninolytic activity and capability to degrade various recalcitrant organic pollutants. In this study, we determined the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of P. sordida YK-624. The mitochondrial genome is 129,567 bp in length with a GC content of 28.9%, and contains two ribosomal RNA genes, 26 transfer RNA genes, and 50 open reading frames, including 14 conserved proteins. Phylogenetic analysis based on the mitochondrial genome confirmed that P. sordida belongs to the family Phanerochaetaceae in the order Polyporales, and showed the general phylogenetic relationships.

Bioactive components of Laetiporus species and their pharmacological effects.

Laetiporus species are brown rot fungi belonging to the order Polyporales in the division Basidiomycota. These species produce a variety of metabolites and provide a great source of natural material for the screening of medicinally active natural products or their derivatives. This review summarizes the research progress on bioactive metabolites of Laetiporus species up to April 2022, including biological macromolecules, for instance, polysaccharides and lectins, as well as 80 reported small molecule chemical components (15 sterols, 29 triterpenes, 10 sesquiterpenes, 5 polyenes, 10 volatile compounds, and 11 other compounds). These metabolites exhibit antimicrobial, anticancer, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic activities. Genome mining predicted 23 terpene synthases, 7 polyketide synthases, and 9 non-ribosomal peptide synthases involved in bioactive metabolites biosynthesis, which were analyzed by antiSMASH in L. sulphureus genome. This review will provide a basis for the biosynthesis of active components in Laetiporus species and a reference for the research of medical precursors. KEY POINTS: • The mini-review summarized 80 secondary metabolites of Laetiporus spp. • The main pharmacological activities of Laetiporus spp. were summarized. • Biosynthetic genes of terpenoids, polyketides, and non-ribosomal peptides were also summarized.

Whole-Genome Sequencing and Analysis of the White-Rot Fungus Ceriporia lacerata Reveals Its Phylogenetic Status and the Genetic Basis of Lignocellulose Degradation and Terpenoid Synthesis.

Ceriporia lacerata is an endophytic white-rot fungus that has lignocellulolytic and terpenoid-biosynthetic abilities. However, little is known about the genomic architecture of this fungus, even at the genus level. In this study, we present the first de novo genome assembly of C. lacerata (CGMCC No. 10485), based on PacBio long-read and Illumina short-read sequencing. The size of the C. lacerata genome is approximately 36 Mb (N50, 3.4 Mb). It encodes a total of 13,243 genes, with further functional analysis revealing that these genes are primarily involved in primary metabolism and host interactions in this strain’s saprophytic lifestyle. Phylogenetic analysis based on ITS demonstrated a primary evolutionary position for C. lacerata, while the phylogenetic analysis based on orthogroup inference and average nucleotide identity revealed high-resolution phylogenetic details in which Ceriporia, Phlebia, Phlebiopsis, and Phanerochaete belong to the same evolutionary clade within the order Polyporales. Annotation of carbohydrate-active enzymes across the genome yielded a total of 806 genes encoding enzymes that decompose lignocellulose, particularly ligninolytic enzymes, lytic polysaccharides monooxygenases, and enzymes involved in the biodegradation of aromatic components. These findings illustrate the strain’s adaptation to woody habitats, which requires the degradation of lignin and various polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The terpenoid-production potential of C. lacerata was evaluated by comparing the genes of terpenoid biosynthetic pathways across nine Polyporales species. The shared genes highlight the major part of terpenoid synthesis pathways, especially the mevalonic acid pathway, as well as the main pathways of sesquiterpenoid, monoterpenoid, diterpenoid, and triterpenoid synthesis, while the strain-specific genes illustrate the distinct genetic factors determining the synthesis of structurally diverse terpenoids. This is the first genomic analysis of a species from this genus that we are aware of, and it will help advance functional genome research and resource development of this important fungus for applications in renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the edible mushroom Grifola frondosa

The culinary-medicinal mushroom Grifola frondosa is widely cultivated in East Asia. In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome of G. frondosa was determined using Illumina sequencing. The circular molecule was 197,486 bp in length with a content of 25.01% GC, which was one of the largest mitochondrial genomes in the order Polyporales. A total of 39 known genes encoding 13 common mitochondrial genes, 24 tRNA genes, 1 ribosomal protein s3 gene (rps3), and 1 DNA polymerase gene (dpo) were predicted in this genome. The phylogenetic analysis showed that G. frondosa clustered together with Sparassis crispa, Laetiporus sulphureus, Wolfiporia cocos, and Taiwanofungus camphoratus. The complete mitochondrial genome reported here may provide new insight into genetic information and evolution for further studies.

Species structure and pharmaceutical features of forest communities fungi in the Voronezh Region

The work is devoted to the study of the species structure and pharmaceutical features of forest communities fungi in the Voronezh Region. The mycological study revealed 171 species of fungi belonging to 2 divisions of Ascomycota and Basidiomycota, 7 classes, 19 orders, 58 families and 106 genera. Most of the species belong to the orders Agaricales (81 taxa), Russulales (23), Polyporales (21) and Boletales (19). Among the identified taxa of medicinal fungi, saprotrophs (85) and symbiotrophs (53) predominate. The overwhelming number of mushroom species belongs to edible (92) and inedible (51) categories. 108 representatives of the mycobiota of the Voronezh Region can be used for the treatment of oncological diseases, 89 for the production of substances with antibacterial activity. To a lesser extent, fungi have antiviral activity (49), immunostimulating properties (36), anti-inflammatory action (28), antioxidant activity (22). Fruit bodies (158 taxa) and mycelium (22) are most often used as a source of release of useful substances. The identified species of fungi contain 23 types of toxins that lead to diseases of various etiologies, among which -amanitin, grismalin, ibo-tenic acid, cordinarin, muscarin, muscimol and phalloidin dominate (in 3 representatives).

Agaricales Mushroom Lignin Peroxidase: From Structure-Function to Degradative Capabilities.

Lignin biodegradation has been extensively studied in white-rot fungi, which largely belong to order Polyporales. Among the enzymes that wood-rotting polypores secrete, lignin peroxidases (LiPs) have been labeled as the most efficient. Here, we characterize a similar enzyme (ApeLiP) from a fungus of the order Agaricales (with ~13,000 described species), the soil-inhabiting mushroom Agrocybe pediades. X-ray crystallography revealed that ApeLiP is structurally related to Polyporales LiPs, with a conserved heme-pocket and a solvent-exposed tryptophan. Its biochemical characterization shows that ApeLiP can oxidize both phenolic and non-phenolic lignin model-compounds, as well as different dyes. Moreover, using stopped-flow rapid spectrophotometry and 2D-NMR, we demonstrate that ApeLiP can also act on real lignin. Characterization of a variant lacking the above tryptophan residue shows that this is the oxidation site for lignin and other high redox-potential substrates, and also plays a role in phenolic substrate oxidation. The reduction potentials of the catalytic-cycle intermediates were estimated by stopped-flow in equilibrium reactions, showing similar activation by H2O2, but a lower potential for the rate-limiting step (compound-II reduction) compared to other LiPs. Unexpectedly, ApeLiP was stable from acidic to basic pH, a relevant feature for application considering its different optima for oxidation of phenolic and nonphenolic compounds.