This genome was sequenced as a part of the large-scale multi-genome JGI CSP Saprotrophic Agaricomycotina Project (SAP), which focuses on the diversity and evolution of decay mechanisms, organismal phylogenetic relationships, and developmental evolution. A large collaborative effort led by PI of this project, David Hibbett (Clark University) aims for master publication(s) of the SAP data analysis. Researchers who wish to publish analyses using data from unpublished SAP genomes are respectfully required to contact the PI and JGI to avoid potential conflicts on data use and coordinate other publications with the SAP master paper(s).
Ganoderma is a widely distributed genus of polypores with prominent basidiocarps, which grow either on the bark or roots of hardwood and softwood trees. The basidiocarps are annual or perennial, in the latter case producing a new layer of tubes during each growth period and they are easily collected throughout the year. The species are associated with a white rot and studies have shown that Ganoderma spp. can cause both types of white rot at the same substrate, which means either delignification of the wood without degradation of cellulose or simultaneous degradation of both lignin and cellulose. Ganoderma applanatum has been also associated with the formation of Palo Podrido wood in Chile, a highly delignified type of wood where cellulose remains intact, while hemicellulose is degraded. On the molecular level manganese peroxidases and laccases have been characterized in Ganoderma spp. but there is only indication for presence of lignin peroxidases through hybridization experiments. The ability of Ganoderma species to cause either selected delignification or simultaneous degradation of lignin and cellulose on wood tissue makes them good candidates for studies on the differences on the gene expression patterns between the two types of white rot and also promising species for biotechnological applications. Furthermore the genome sequence of a Ganoderma species will expand the field for comparative studies on the wood degradation mechanism with other white rot species in the core polyporoid clade. The selected strain for the current project is a North American isolate that belongs in the Ganoderma lucidum species complex.
Genome Reference(s)
Binder M, Justo A, Riley R, Salamov A, Lopez-Giraldez F, Sjökvist E, Copeland A, Foster B, Sun H, Larsson E, Larsson KH, Townsend J, Grigoriev IV, Hibbett DS
Phylogenetic and phylogenomic overview of the Polyporales.
Mycologia. 2013 Nov-Dec;105(6):1350-73. doi: 10.3852/13-003