| Real-time RT-PCR was used to assess the effects of interspecific microbial interactions on the expression of genes associated with lignin peroxidase, manganese peroxidase and alcohol oxidase production during the wood decay process. Expression levels of each gene were quantitated in one-, two- and multiple-organism interaction tests with the basidiomycetes Trametes elegans, Phanerochaete chrysosporium, Gloeophyllum sepiarium and Gloeophyllum trabeum. Compression strength loss of each decay sample was measured and correlated with gene expression data. Soil microflora actively producing lignolytic enzymes during wood decay were assessed and identified using degenerative PCR coupled with denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, cloning and cycle sequencing. Differential expression was detected in three genes in the two-organism interaction tests: manganese peroxidase in T. elegans interactions, lignin peroxidase A in P. chrysosporium interactions and alcohol oxidase in G. sepiarium interactions. A positive linear correlation was observed between lignin peroxidase A expression and compression strength loss in P. chrysosporium interactions. |
