Methionine oxidation of carbohydrate-active enzymes during white-rot wood decay.

White-rot fungi employ secreted carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) along with reactive oxygen species (ROS), like hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), to degrade lignocellulose in wood. H2O2 serves as a co-substrate for key oxidoreductases during the initial decay phase. While the degradation of lignocellulose by CAZymes is well documented, the impact of ROS on the oxidation of the secreted proteins remains unclear, and the identity of the oxidized proteins is unknown. Methionine (Met) can be oxidized to Met sulfoxide (MetO) or Met sulfone (MetO2) with potential deleterious, antioxidant, or regulatory effects. Other residues, like proline (Pro), can undergo carbonylation. Using the white-rot Pycnoporus cinnabarinus grown on aspen wood, we analyzed the Met content of the secreted proteins and their susceptibility to oxidation combining H218O2 with deep shotgun proteomics. Strikingly, their overall Met content was significantly lower (1.4%) compared to intracellular proteins (2.1%), a feature conserved in fungi but not in metazoans or plants. We evidenced that a catalase, widespread in white-rot fungi, protects the secreted proteins from oxidation. Our redox proteomics approach allowed the identification of 49 oxidizable Met and 40 oxidizable Pro residues within few secreted proteins, mostly CAZymes. Interestingly, many of them had several oxidized residues localized in hotspots. Some Met, including those in GH7 cellobiohydrolases, were oxidized up to 47%, with a substantial percentage of sulfone (13%). These Met are conserved in fungal homologs, suggesting important functional roles. Our findings reveal that white-rot fungi safeguard their secreted proteins by minimizing their Met content and by scavenging ROS and pinpoint redox-active residues in CAZymes.IMPORTANCEThe study of lignocellulose degradation by fungi is critical for understanding the ecological and industrial implications of wood decay. While carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) play a well-established role in lignocellulose degradation, the impact of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) on secreted proteins remains unclear. This study aims at evaluating the effect of H2O2 on secreted proteins, focusing on the oxidation of methionine (Met). Using the model white-rot fungi Pycnoporus cinnabarinus grown on aspen wood, we showed that fungi protect their secreted proteins from oxidation by reducing their Met content and utilizing a secreted catalase to scavenge exogenous H2O2. The research identified key oxidizable Met within secreted CAZymes. Importantly, some Met, like those of GH7 cellobiohydrolases, undergone substantial oxidation levels suggesting important roles in lignocellulose degradation. These findings highlight the adaptive mechanisms employed by white-rot fungi to safeguard their secreted proteins during wood decay and emphasize the importance of these processes in lignocellulose breakdown.

Durability of heat-treated Paulownia tomentosa and Pinus koraiensis woods in palm oil and air against brown- and white-rot fungi.

This study aimed to evaluate and compare the effects of oil- and air-heat treatments on the durability of Paulownia tomentosa and Pinus koraiensis woods against Fomitopsis palustris and Trametes versicolor. The wood samples were treated in palm oil and air at 180, 200, and 220 °C for 2 h. The weight loss, morphology, crystalline properties, and chemical compounds of untreated and heat-treated wood after fungal attack were investigated. The significant difference in weight loss between oil- and air-heat-treated samples was shown at 220 °C. Heat-treated wood exposed to white-rot fungus showed a lower weight loss than that exposed to brown-rot fungus. The cell components in the untreated- and heat-treated Paulownia tomentosa and Pinus koraiensis at 180 °C were severely damaged due to fungal exposure compared to those at 220 °C. A fungal effect on the relative crystallinity was observed in heat-treated wood at 180 °C, whereas the effect was not observed at 220 °C. Following brown-rot fungus exposure, untreated- and heat-treated wood at 180 °C showed a notable change in the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) peaks of polysaccharides, whereas no noticeable change in lignin peaks was observed. Heat-treated wood at 220 °C showed no noticeable change in the FTIR spectra owing to brown-rot fungus exposure. Exposure to white-rot fungus did not noticeably change the FTIR spectra of untreated and heat-treated wood.

Fungal wood-degrading enzymes in esca-diseased grapevine and effects of carbohydrate environment on fungal development.

In esca disease affecting grapevines, Phaeomoniella chlamydospora and Phaeoacremonium minimum colonize the woody parts of the trunks and arms, where they obtain nutrition from xylem sap and, potentially, from residues resulting from the enzymatic breakdown of lignified cell walls, particularly osidic residues. We quantified the secretion of lignin peroxidase, manganese peroxidase and laccase by these fungi in woody tissues of selectively infected cuttings using immunolabeling and transmission electron microscopy. Our results indicated that the detection of these enzymes was generally higher in tissues infected with Phaeoacremonium minimum. These data were confirmed through immunodetection of enzymes secreted by hyphae of fungi grown in vitro. Additionally, we observed that the supply of various carbohydrates (mono, di, tri and tetrasaccharides and polymers) differentially influenced fungal growth and polypeptide secretion. Since some secreted polypeptides display detrimental effects on grapevine cells, these results raise the question of whether the carbohydrate environment could be a factor affecting the aggressiveness of these pathogens.

Wood-inhabiting macrofungi Hymenochaetales and Polyporales (Basidiomycota) in the Amazon Forest: relationship the abiotic factors and substrate colonization.

Hymenochaetales and Polyporales are important macrofungi for the maintenance of tropical forests, since they act directly in the nutrient cycling of the wood decomposition. In the Amazon, the largest tropical forest in the world, knowledge about Agaricomycetes is still insipient, since many areas have not yet been inventoried and new records appear each new study. To increase ecological knowledge about the Hymenochaetales and Polyporales, in the Brazilian Amazon region, collections were conducted in western Pará, Brazil, relating these fungi to the substrate they colonize and to environmental variables. 91 species were identified, with greater macrofungi richness associated with the rainy season; these fungi showed preferences for dead woods, of small diameter (class 1 = 5,9 Ë« 39 cm) and, in stages of decomposition still rigid or intermediate. The abundance and richness of Hymenochaetales and Polyporales were influenced by air humidity and the assemblage composition was influenced by temperature, air humidity and rainfall. The results indicate a rich diversity for western Pará region, these species are associated with environmental conditions, and may be threatened by the increasing pressure of human activity in the Brazilian Amazon.

Gene expression of the white-rot fungus Lenzites gibbosa during wood degradation.

To determine the wood degradation mechanism and its key genes and biological processes of Lenzites gibbosa, we sequenced 15 transcriptomes of mycelial samples under woody environment at 3, 5, 7, and 11 d (D3, D5, D7, and D11) and nonwoody environment (control). All the transcripts were annotated as much as possible in eight databases to determine their function. The key genes and biological processes relating to wood degradation were predicted and screened. The expression of 11 key genes during wood degradation after 5 d of sawdust treatment was detected by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A total of 2069 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were obtained in 10 differential groups. Comparing wood with nonwood treatment condition, the key genes were those participating in oxidation-reduction process, they were oxidoreductase and peroxidase genes and their regulator genes; these genes mainly focused on the three biological processes of carbohydrate metabolism, lignin catabolism, and secondary metabolite biosynthesis, transport, and catabolism. The mostly enriched subcategories in molecular function were oxidoreductase activity, peroxidase activity, and heme binding in Gene Ontology (GO) annotation. One cellulose and hemicellulose degradation pathway and seven pathways related to lignin-derived aromatic compound degradation or the later degradation of lignin were found. In conclusion, during the process of L. gibbosa growing on wood, gene expression at the transcriptional level indicated that lignin catabolism and hyphal growth were promoted, but the metabolism of carbon and carbohydrates including cellulose in lignocellulose in overall trend was inhibited to some extent. The results have important reference value for the study of degradation mechanism of wood white rot.

Antifungal Sesquiterpenoids from Michelia formosana Leaf Essential Oil against Wood-Rotting Fungi.

Michelia formosana (Kanehira) Masamune is a broad-leaved species widespread in East Asia; the wood extract and its constituents possess antifungal activity against wood-decay fungi. Antifungal activities of leaf essential oil and its constituents from M. formosana were investigated in the present study. Bioassay-guided isolation was applied to isolate the phytochemicals from leaf essential oil. 1D and 2D NMR, FTIR, and MS spectroscopic analyses were applied to elucidate the chemical structures of isolated compounds. Leaf essential oil displayed antifungal activity against wood decay fungi and was further separated into 11 fractions by column chromatography. Four sesquiterpenoids were isolated and identified from the active fractions of leaf essential oil through bioassay-guided isolation. Among these sesquiterpenoids, guaiol, bulnesol, and ß-elemol have higher antifungal activity against brown-rot fungus Laetiporus sulphureus and white-rot fungus Lenzites betulina. Leaf essential oil and active compounds showed better antifungal activity against L. sulphureus than against L. betulina. The molecular structure of active sesquiterpenoids all contain the hydroxyisopropyl group. Antifungal sesquiterpenoids from M. formosana leaf essential oil show potential as natural fungicides for decay control of lignocellulosic materials.

Capturing an Early Gene Induction Event during Wood Decay by the Brown Rot Fungus Rhodonia placenta.

Brown rot fungi dominate wood decomposition in coniferous forests, and their carbohydrate-selective mechanisms are of commercial interest. Brown rot was recently described as a two-step, sequential mechanism orchestrated by fungi using differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and consisting of oxidation via reactive oxygen species (ROS) followed by enzymatic saccharification. There have been indications, however, that the initial oxidation step itself might require induction. To capture this early gene regulation event, here, we integrated fine-scale cryosectioning with whole-transcriptome sequencing to dissect gene expression at the single-hyphal-cell scale (tens of micrometers). This improved the spatial resolution 50-fold, relative to previous work, and we were able to capture the activity of the first 100 µm of hyphal front growth by Rhodonia placenta in aspen wood. This early decay period was dominated by delayed gene expression patterns as the fungus ramped up its mechanism. These delayed DEGs included many genes implicated in ROS pathways (lignocellulose oxidation [LOX]) that were previously and incorrectly assumed to be constitutively expressed. These delayed DEGs, which include those with and without predicted functions, also create a focused subset of target genes for functional genomics. However, this delayed pattern was not universal, with a few genes being upregulated immediately at the hyphal front. Most notably, this included a gene commonly implicated in hydroquinone and iron redox cycling: benzoquinone reductase. IMPORTANCE Earth's aboveground terrestrial biomass is primarily wood, and fungi dominate wood decomposition. Here, we studied these fungal pathways in a common "brown rot"-type fungus, Rhodonia placenta, that selectively extracts sugars from carbohydrates embedded within wood lignin. Using a space-for-time design to map fungal gene expression at the extreme hyphal front in wood, we made two discoveries. First, we found that many genes long assumed to be "on" (constitutively expressed) from the very beginning of decay were instead "off" before being upregulated, when mapped (via transcriptome sequencing [RNA-seq]) at a high resolution. Second, we found that the gene encoding benzoquinone reductase was "on" in incipient decay and quickly downregulated, implying a key role in "kick-starting" brown rot.

Diallyl Trisulfide, the Antifungal Component of Garlic Essential Oil and the Bioactivity of Its Nanoemulsions Formed by Spontaneous Emulsification.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the chemical compounds of garlic essential oil (EO), and determine the antifungal efficacy of garlic EO and its major components, diallyl trisulfide and its nanoemulsions against wood-rotting fungi, Trametes hirsuta and Laetiporus sulphureus. GC-MS analysis revealed that the major constituents of garlic EO were diallyl trisulfide (39.79%), diallyl disulfide (32.91%), and diallyl sulfide (7.02%). In antifungal activity, the IC50 value of garlic EO against T. hirsuta and L. sulphureus were 137.3 and 44.6 µg/mL, respectively. Results from the antifungal tests demonstrated that the three major constituents were shown to have good antifungal activity, in which, diallyl trisulfide was the most effective against T. hirsuta and L. sulphureus, with the IC50 values of 56.1 and 31.6 µg/mL, respectively. The diallyl trisulfide nanoemulsions showed high antifungal efficacy against the examined wood-rotting fungi, and as the amount of diallyl trisulfide in the lipid phase increases, the antifungal efficacy of the nanoemulsions increases. These results showed that the nanoemulsions and normal emulsion of diallyl trisulfide have potential to develop into a natural wood preservative.

Application of CRISPR/Cas9 Tools for Genome Editing in the White-Rot Fungus Dichomitus squalens.

Dichomitus squalens is an emerging reference species that can be used to investigate white-rot fungal plant biomass degradation, as it has flexible physiology to utilize different types of biomass as sources of carbon and energy. Recent comparative (post-) genomic studies on D. squalens resulted in an increasingly detailed knowledge of the genes and enzymes involved in the lignocellulose breakdown in this fungus and showed a complex transcriptional response in the presence of lignocellulose-derived compounds. To fully utilize this increasing amount of data, efficient and reliable genetic manipulation tools are needed, e.g., to characterize the function of certain proteins in vivo and facilitate the construction of strains with enhanced lignocellulolytic capabilities. However, precise genome alterations are often very difficult in wild-type basidiomycetes partially due to extremely low frequencies of homology directed recombination (HDR) and limited availability of selectable markers. To overcome these obstacles, we assessed various Cas9-single guide RNA (sgRNA) ribonucleoprotein (RNP) -based strategies for selectable homology and non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) -based gene editing in D. squalens. We also showed an induction of HDR-based genetic modifications by using single-stranded oligodeoxynucleotides (ssODNs) in a basidiomycete fungus for the first time. This paper provides directions for the application of targeted CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing in D. squalens and other wild-type (basidiomycete) fungi.

Potential of Lignocellulosic Waste for Laccase Production by Trametes versicolor under Submerged Fermentation.

<b>Background and Objective:</b> Laccase is one of the ligninolytic enzymes classified as a multicopper oxidoreductase group that has the ability in oxidizing phenolic compounds and has widespread use in both food and non-food industries. This enzyme is extracellularly secreted by white-rot fungi, <i>Trametes versicolor</i> (L.) Lloyd in the media containing lignocellulose, for example, kapok banana peels and sawdust. The objective of this study was to evaluate lignocellulosic substrate that able to produce the highest activity of the laccase from the <i>T. versicolor </i>(L.) Lloyd. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> Three substrate variations used in this work included the cultivation media with the addition of either kapok banana peels or sawdust and without using both materials. The inducer (CuSO₄) was added to each substrate variation and the laccase activity was subsequently measured. <b>Results:</b> The qualitative test result for laccase detection showed that <i>T. versicolor </i>(L.) Lloyd<i> </i>was able to produce this enzyme indicated with a reddish-brown surrounding fungal colony. The fungi cultivated in media with the content of sawdust and 1 mM CuSO₄ yielded the highest laccase activity, reaching 573.6 U L¹ with an OD value of 0.5567<i> </i>and a pH of 5.3 after 7 days of incubation. Meanwhile, the addition of kepok banana peels and 1 mM CuSO₄, showed the maximum laccase activity (297.7 U L¹) with the OD value of 0.6932 and a pH of 5 after incubation for 6 days. <b>Conclusion:</b> The white-rot fungi of <i>T. versicolor</i> (L.) Lloyd<i> </i>could produce optimal laccase activity by adding sawdust substrate and 1 mM CuSO₄inducer on submerged fermentation.

A Fungal Secretome Adapted for Stress Enabled a Radical Wood Decay Mechanism.

Brown rot fungi release massive amounts of carbon from forest deadwood, particularly at high latitudes. These fungi degrade wood by generating small reactive oxygen species (ROS) to loosen lignocellulose, to then selectively remove carbohydrates. The ROS mechanism has long been considered the key adaptation defining brown rot wood decomposition, but recently, we found preliminary evidence that fungal glycoside hydrolases (GHs) implicated in early cell wall loosening might have been adapted to tolerate ROS stress and to synergize with ROS to loosen woody lignocellulose. In the current study, we found more specifically that side chain hemicellulases that help in the early deconstruction of the lignocellulosic complex are significantly more tolerant of ROS in the brown rot fungus Rhodonia placenta than in a white rot fungus (Trametes versicolor) and a soft rot fungus (Trichoderma reesei). Using proteomics to understand the extent of tolerance, we found that significant oxidation of secreted R. placenta proteins exposed to ROS was less than half of the oxidation observed for T. versicolor or T. reesei. The principal oxidative modifications observed in all cases were monooxidation and dioxidation/trioxidation (mainly in methionine and tryptophan residues), some of which were critical for enzyme activity. At the peptide level, we found that GHs in R. placenta were the least ROS affected among our tested fungi. These results confirm and describe underlying mechanisms of tolerance in early-secreted brown rot fungal hemicellulases. These enzymatic adaptations may have been as important as nonenzymatic ROS pathway adaptations in brown rot fungal evolution. IMPORTANCE Brown rot fungi play a critical role in carbon recycling and are of industrial interest. These fungi typically use reactive oxygen species (ROS) to indiscriminately "loosen" wood cell walls at the outset of decay. Brown rot fungi avoid oxidative stress associated with this ROS step by delaying the expression/secretion of many carbohydrate-active enzymes, but there are exceptions, notably some side chain hemicellulases, implicated in loosening lignocellulose. In this study, we provide enzyme activity and secretomic evidence that these enzymes in the brown rot model Rhodonia placenta are more ROS tolerant than the white and soft rot isolates tested. For R. placenta, and perhaps all brown rot lineages, these ROS tolerance adaptions may have played a long-overshadowed role in enabling brown rot.

Gene family expansions and transcriptome signatures uncover fungal adaptations to wood decay.

Because they comprise some of the most efficient wood-decayers, Polyporales fungi impact carbon cycling in forest environment. Despite continuous discoveries on the enzymatic machinery involved in wood decomposition, the vision on their evolutionary adaptation to wood decay and genome diversity remains incomplete. We combined the genome sequence information from 50 Polyporales species, including 26 newly sequenced genomes and sought for genomic and functional adaptations to wood decay through the analysis of genome composition and transcriptome responses to different carbon sources. The genomes of Polyporales from different phylogenetic clades showed poor conservation in macrosynteny, indicative of genome rearrangements. We observed different gene family expansion/contraction histories for plant cell wall degrading enzymes in core polyporoids and phlebioids and captured expansions for genes involved in signalling and regulation in the lineages of white rotters. Furthermore, we identified conserved cupredoxins, thaumatin-like proteins and lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases with a yet uncharacterized appended module as new candidate players in wood decomposition. Given the current need for enzymatic toolkits dedicated to the transformation of renewable carbon sources, the observed genomic diversity among Polyporales strengthens the relevance of mining Polyporales biodiversity to understand the molecular mechanisms of wood decay.

Influence of extraction time, solvent and wood specie on experimentally aged spirits - A simple tool to differentiate wood species used in cooperage.

Type of the wood used for the aging highly influences the quality of alcoholic beverages. In this research we explored the potential of cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) to establish fingerprints characteristic for each wood and to enable determining the type of the wood used in the aging process. Eleven different wood samples were used to prepare three different types of spirits during 15 months. The highest extraction rate was obtained during the first month, while further aging was followed with almost constant amount of extracted polyphenols. Black locust, myrobalan plum, and mulberry extracts were discriminated from the spirits aged in oak and wild cherry wood when statistical analysis was applied. Although clear classification of all samples was not achieved, this long term study demonstrated a potential of both CV and DPV for differentiating wood species used in the aging, hence in the quality control of spirits.

Functionality of Surface Mycelium Interfaces in Wood Bonding.

Filamentous fungi have been considered as candidates to replace petroleum-based adhesives and plastics in novel composite material production, particularly those containing lignocellulosic materials. However, the nature of the role of surface mycelium in the adhesion between lignocellulosic composite components is not well-known. The current study investigated the functionality of surface mycelium for wood bonding by incubating Trametes versicolor on yellow birch veneers and compared the lap-shear strengths after hot-pressing to evaluate if the presence of surface mycelium can improve the interface between two wood layers and consequently improve bonding. We found that the lap-shear strength of the samples was enhanced by the increase of surface mycelium coverage up to 8 days of incubation (up to 1.74 MPa) without a significant wood weight loss. We provide evidence that the bottom surface of the mycelium layer is more hydrophilic, contains more small-scale filamentous structure and contains more functional groups, resulting in better bonding with wood than the top surface. These observations confirm and highlight the functionality of the surface mycelium layer for wood bonding and provide useful information for future developments in fully biobased composites manufacturing.

Lighting Conditions Influence the Dynamics of Protease Synthesis and Proteasomal Activity in the White Rot Fungus Cerrena unicolor.

Recent transcriptomic and biochemical studies have revealed that light influences the global gene expression profile and metabolism of the white-rot fungus Cerrena unicolor. Here, we aimed to reveal the involvement of proteases and ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis by the 26S proteasome in the response of this fungus to white, red, blue and green lighting conditions and darkness. The changes in the expression profile of C. unicolor genes putatively engaged in proteolysis were found to be unique and specific to the applied wavelength of light. It was also demonstrated that the activity of proteases in the culture fluid and mycelium measured using natural and synthetic substrates was regulated by light and was substrate-dependent. A clear influence of light on protein turnover and the qualitative and quantitative changes in the hydrolytic degradation of proteins catalyzed by various types of proteases was shown. The analysis of activity associated with the 26S proteasome showed a key role of ATP-dependent proteolysis in the initial stages of adaptation of fungal cells to the stress factors. It was suggested that the light-sensing pathways in C. unicolor are cross-linked with stress signaling and secretion of proteases presumably serving as regulatory molecules.

Highly Modified Lanostane Triterpenes from the Wood-Rot Basidiomycete Ganoderma colossus: Comparative Chemical Investigations of Natural and Artificially Cultivated Fruiting Bodies and Mycelial Cultures.

The wood-rot basidiomycete Ganoderma colossus has been chemically investigated. Comparative analyses of the natural fruiting body, artificially cultivated fruiting bodies, and mycelial cultures resulted in the isolation, in total, of 13 new highly modified lanostanes, ganocolossusins A-H (1-8) and ganodermalactones T-X (9-13), together with 23 known compounds (14-36). There were significant overlaps of the same compounds among the three different states of the fungal materials. Ganocolossusin D (4) displayed the most potent antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum K1 (multi-drug-resistant strain) with an IC50 value of 2.4 µM, while it was noncytotoxic to Vero cells at 50 µg/mL.

Blastobotrys baotianmanensis sp. nov. and Blastobotrys xishuangbannaensis f.a., sp. nov., two novel yeast species associated with insects and rotting wood.

Five yeast strains were isolated from the gut of the groundbeetle Pterostichus gebleri and rotting wood, which were collected from two different localities in China. These strains were identified as representing two novel species of the genus Blastobotrys through comparison of sequences in the D1/D2 domains of the LSU rRNA gene and other taxonomic characteristics. Blastobotrys baotianmanensis sp. nov. produces two to three spherical ascospores per ascus, and is most closely related to the type strains of B. elegans, B. capitulata, B. arbuscula, and an undescribed species represented by strain BG02-7-20-006A-3-1. Blastobotrys baotianmanensis sp. nov. differed from these strains by 3.6-8.4 % divergence (21-46 substitutions and 0-4 gaps) in the D1/D2 sequences. Blastobotrys xishuangbannaensis f.a., sp. nov. is closely related to B. nivea, B. elegans and B. aristata but the formation of ascospores was not observed on various sporulation media, and it differed from its relatives by 6.2-8.5 % divergence (34-43 substitutions and 2-6 gaps) in the D1/D2 sequences. The holotype of Blastobotrys baotianmanensis sp. nov. is NYNU 1581 and the holotype of Blastobotrys xishuangbannaensis f.a., sp. nov. is NYNU 181030.

Genome sequencing of Rigidoporus microporus provides insights on genes important for wood decay, latex tolerance and interspecific fungal interactions.

Fungal plant pathogens remain a serious threat to the sustainable agriculture and forestry, despite the extensive efforts undertaken to control their spread. White root rot disease is threatening rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) plantations throughout South and Southeast Asia and Western Africa, causing tree mortality and severe yield losses. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of the basidiomycete fungus Rigidoporus microporus, a causative agent of the disease. Our phylogenetic analysis confirmed the position of R. microporus among the members of Hymenochaetales, an understudied group of basidiomycetes. Our analysis further identified pathogen's genes with a predicted role in the decay of plant cell wall polymers, in the utilization of latex components and in interspecific interactions between the pathogen and other fungi. We also detected putative horizontal gene transfer events in the genome of R. microporus. The reported first genome sequence of a tropical rubber tree pathogen R. microporus should contribute to the better understanding of how the fungus is able to facilitate wood decay and nutrient cycling as well as tolerate latex and utilize resinous extractives.