The Termite Fungal Cultivar Termitomyces Combines Diverse Enzymes and Oxidative Reactions for Plant Biomass Conversion.

ABSTRACT: Macrotermitine termites have domesticated fungi in the genus Termitomyces as their primary food source using predigested plant biomass. To access the full nutritional value of lignin-enriched plant biomass, the termite-fungus symbiosis requires the depolymerization of this complex phenolic polymer. While most previous work suggests that lignocellulose degradation is accomplished predominantly by the fungal cultivar, our current understanding of the underlying biomolecular mechanisms remains rudimentary. Here, we provide conclusive omics and activity-based evidence that Termitomyces employs not only a broad array of carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) but also a restricted set of oxidizing enzymes (manganese peroxidase, dye decolorization peroxidase, an unspecific peroxygena

SUBMITTER: Schalk F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8262964 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature