Gloeopeniophorella convolvens (actual source of spores from which culture used for genome was derived) by Otto Miettinen

Gloeopeniophorella convolvens (P. Karst.) Boidin, Lanq. & Gilles

This genome was sequenced as part of the JGI CSP 1KFG - Deep Sequencing of Ecologically-relevant Dikarya and more specifically as a part of the Russulaceae Sequencing Project, which seeks to densely sample members of a diverse lineage of ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi to examine functional diversity of ECM fungi with a shared evolutionary history. Researchers who wish to publish analyses using data from unpublished CSP genomes are respectfully required to contact the PI and JGI to avoid potential conflicts on data use and coordinate other publications with the RSP master paper(s). This genome was derived from a heterokaryotic culture that originates from Finland.

Gloeopeniophorella convolvens (also known as Gloeocystidiellum convolvens) is a basidiomycete that produces a resupinate, crust-like basidiome on decorticated logs, which has led to its putative determination as a saprotrophic wood-rotting fungus (Miller et al. 2006). This species occurs in the boreal forests of Eurasia and North America. The genus Gloeopeniophorella is a polyphyletic group of crust-like fungi in the Russulales, unified by the presence of incrusted cystidia. This particular species is part of a cluster of corticioid fungi placed in Russulaceae and therefore represents the closest, extant saprotrophic relative of the diverse ECM clade encompassing Lactarius, Lactifluus, Multifurca, and Russula (Larsson and Larsson 2003). One of these closely related fungi, Boidinia furfuracea, has been shown to produce extracellular oxidases capable of lignin degradation, causing a white rot (Nakasone 1990). As such, G. convolvens has been targeted as an outgroup for comparative studies on the evolution of plant matter decomposition mechanisms within ECM members of Russulaceae. This species is readily cultivable and therefore ideal for experimental manipulation. Investigation of this genome is applicable to DOE mission areas in the area of bio-fuel production as both an outgroup to an ecologically important group of plant symbionts of the biofuel model organisms, Populus, as well as a potential source for lignolytic enzymes used for bio-fuel processing or bioremediation.

References

Larsson, E. and Larsson, K.H., 2003. Phylogenetic relationships of russuloid basidiomycetes with emphasis on aphyllophoralean taxa. Mycologia, 95(6), pp.1037-1065.

Miller, S.L., Larsson, E., Larsson, K.H., Verbeken, A. and Nuytinck, J., 2006. Perspectives in the new Russulales. Mycologia, 98(6), pp.960-970.

Nakasone, K.K., 1990. Cultural Studies and Identification of Wood-inhabiting Corticiaceae and Selected Hymenomycetes from North America. Mycologia Memoirs. 15, pp. 1-412.