Lignin depolymerization in nature is efficiently carried out by white-rot fungi, a group of basidiomycetes producing wood decay. Genomic (transcriptomic and secretomic) analysis of Ceriporiopsis subvermispora, a fungus producing selective lignin degradation, compared to Phanerochaete chrysosporium, that simultaneously breaks down lignin and cellulose, has revealed important differences among the genes encoding ligninolytic enzymes present in both genomes, sequenced at the Joint Genome Institute (JGI) of the U.S. Department of Energy. CIB researchers Angel T. Martínez, Elena Fernández-Fueyo and Javier Ruiz-Dueñas have participated (the two latter as first authors) in this international study recently published online in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences *. The interest of the U.S. Department of Energy in this type of studies is related to the use of ligninolytic microorganisms and their enzymes in sustainable production of biofuels, chemicals and other products from plant biomass. The research carried out at the CIB is co-funded by the European Union in the frame of the CSIC coordinated PEROXICATS project (www.peroxicats.org) for the development of enzymatic biocatalysts. A press note referring to this study has been released at the JGI website during the Annual Users Meeting, with participation of two of the CIB researchers.
* Fernández-Fueyo E, Ruiz-Dueñas FJ, Ferreira P, .... , Martínez AT, Vicuña R, Cullen D (2012)."Comparative genomics of Ceriporiopsis subvermispora and Phanerochaete chrysosporium provide insight into selective ligninolysis" Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, doi: 10.1073/pnas.1119912109.