Wood Production, Wood Technology, and Biotechnological ... - GWDG

Molecular Wood Biotechnology
identified three different laccase genes in a genomic library of C. cinerea (Bottoli et
1999). Additional five were identified by experimental work in the laboratory in
Göttingen (Hoegger et al. 2004) and, after release of the genomic sequence of the
fungus by the Broad Institute (http://www.broad.mit.edu/annotation/fungi/
coprinus_ cinereus/), nine more by genome analysis with computer programmes
(Hoegger et al. 2006a, Kilaru et al. 2006a). Vector constructs for overexpression of
all these enzymes in C. cinerea as well as in the yeast S. cerevisiae are available (Kilaru
2006, Kilaru et al. 2006b,c) and we started to biochemically characterise the various
enzymes (Saathoff 2005, Kilaru 2006, Kilaru et al. 2006c, Kellner et al. 2007,
M. Rühl et al. unpublished). Similarly, we are exploiting the C. cinerea overexpression
system for enzymes from other fungi (Grimrath 2007; P.J. Hoegger and
S. Kilaru, unpublished). First experiments with recombinantly produced enzymes
in fibreboard production have been performed and also with enzymes obtained
from wastes from mushroom production (Rühl et al. 2005a,b, 2006, Fischer 2006).
Other current applications of laccases target at dye decolourisation (Svobodová et
al. 2003, 2008, Svobodová 2005, Kilaru 2006). Moreover, amongst various other
applications (Kilaru 2006; see Chapters 17 and 19 of this book), laccases are very
suitable to develop devices for detection of toxic phenolic compounds in various
kinds of material and environment (see Chapter 12 of this book).
Some fungi have the ability to enzymatically degrade phenolic and other toxic
compounds and are therefore useful for bioremediation (Mai et al. 2002, 2004a,b,
Majcherczyk et al. 2003, Eggen and Majcherczyk 2006; see Chapter 17 of this
book). Genomics and proteomics are used to identify new enzymes with new
properties from C. cinerea and various white-rot fungi for biotechnological applications
in the wood industry (Dwivedi 2006, Dwivedi et al. 2006, Hoegger et al.
2006a, Kilaru 2006, Kilaru et al. 2006a). Actual enzyme properties will define the
type of application new enzymes might be used for.
By its complexity, wood degradation by white-rot fungi is still only poorly understood
(Leonowicz et al. 1999, 2001, Messner et al. 2003, Martínez et al. 2005;
see Chapter 17 of this book). Fungal attack of wood is followed under microscopes
to detect fungi and fungal damage in wood, using newly developed methods
such as FTIR (Fourier transform infrared microscopy) and new stains reacting
with wood degradation products (Lang 2004, Naumann et al. 2005, Korus
2006; see Chapter 10 this book). Different fungal species within wood were
possible to distinguish by FTIR (Naumann et al. 2005). Early detection of fungi in
wood by such methods as well as by means of DNA isolation and characterisation
(Hoegger et al. 2006b, Naumann et al. 2007; see Chapters 9 and 10 of this book) is
of importance for rescuing wood and wood products by taking appropriate measures
against the infecting fungi. Moreover, from studying lignocellulose degradation
by fungi in wood and straw one can expect to also identify further enzymes
with interesting properties (Dviwedi 2006; see Chapter 17 of this book). Experiences
with wood degradation by fungi will also give new inputs in composting expe-
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