Fungi unearthed: transcripts encoding lignocellulolytic and chitinolytic enzymes in forest soil.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Fungi are the main organisms responsible for the degradation of biopolymers such as lignin, cellulose, hemicellulose, and chitin in forest ecosystems. Soil surveys largely target fungal diversity, paying less attention to fungal activity.

Methodology/principal findings

Here we have focused on the organic horizon of a hardwood forest dominated by sugar maple that spreads widely across Eastern North America. The sampling site included three plots receiving normal atmospheric nitrogen deposition and three that received an extra 3 g nitrogen m(2) y(1) in form of sodium nitrate pellets since 1994, which led to increased accumulation of organic matter in the soil. Our aim was to assess, in samples taken from all six plots, transcript-level expression of fungal genes enc

SUBMITTER: Kellner H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2881045 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature