Home • Rigidoporus microporus ED310 v1.0
Photo: Fruiting bodies of Rigidoporus microporus (courtesy of Abbot Oghenekaro).
Photo: Fruiting bodies of Rigidoporus microporus (courtesy of Abbot Oghenekaro).

The genome of Rigidoporus microporus was sequenced as part of the JGI 1000 Fungal Genomes project “Deep Sequencing of Ecologically-relevant Dikarya“ (CSP 1974).

In the “1KFG: Deep Sequencing of Ecologically-relevant Dikarya“ project (CSP1974), we aim to sequence additional sampling of genomic diversity within keystone lineages of plant-interacting fungi and saprophytic fungi that are of special ecological importance for understanding terrestrial ecosystems. In addition, comparative genome analysis with saprotrophic, mycorrhizal and pathogenic fungi will provide new insights into the specific and conserved adaptations associated with each fungal lifestyle.

The white root rot of rubber tree, Rigidoporus microporus

Rigidoporus microporus (Sw.) Overeem (syn. Rigidoporus lignosus (Klotzsch) Imazeki, (Hymenochaetales, Basidiomycota) is a basidiomycete fungus that causes the white rot disease of the tropical rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis). The white rot fungus is the most economically important pathogen of rubber tree in tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world with yearly economic losses of millions of dollars. The economic loss is enormous not only in terms of wood production but also on indirect impacts on global latex production, an important raw material for automobile and aeroplane tire (tyre) production. Besides its lifestyle as a pathogen, the fungus is known to switch to saprotrophic growth on dead wood with the ability to degrade both lignin and cellulose components of wood. Additionally, being a white rot fungus, members of the Rigidoporus genus are known to play major roles in nutrient and carbon cycling in tropical forest. It is therefore expected that they will harbor a repertoire of a wide range of useful enzymes important for lignocellulose degradation with potential applications in bioenergy processing and utilization. Many members of the Rigidoporus genus are also known to secrete a wide range of useful secondary metabolites, mining genes responsible for these diverse metabolites is also another important aspect of how the genome sequence can be utilized. This genome was derived from a diploid pure culture on MEA agar with ampicillin and benomyl and should be free of xenobiotic contaminations. The culture has been provided by Dr. Fred Asiegbu from the University of Helsinki.

Researchers who wish to publish analyses using data from unpublished 1KFG genomes are respectfully required to contact the PI and JGI to avoid potential conflicts on data use and coordinate other publications with the 1KFG master paper(s).

Genome Reference(s)