Lenzites

Abstract: Three white-rot fungi, Polyporus versicolor, Ganoderma applanatum , and Peniophora "G," produce an adaptive cellulase complex that can degrade both soluble cellulose (C x ) and microcrystalline cellulose (C 1 ), a highly ordered form of cellulose. Production of C x and C 1 by the white-rot fungi was repressed by simple sugars. Cellulase preparations from three brown-rot fungi, Poria monticola, Lentinus lepideus , and Lenzites trabea , exhibited only C x activity; microcrystalline cellulose was not significantly degraded. Contrary to the cellulase (C x ) of the white-rot fungi, that of the brown-rot fungi apparently is constitutive, since activity was abundant in cultures with simple sugars or with non-cellulosic polysac-charides as the sole source of carbon. This work disclosed no differences between the cellulase-inducing effects of hardwoods versus those of softwoods that might help explain the preference of white rotters for hardwoods and brown rotters for softwoods.

Abstract: Two lipid peroxidation inhibitors, designated as betulinans A (1) and B (2), were isolated from the MeOH extract of Lenzites betulina. The structures of these compounds have been determined to be 2,5-diphenyl-3,6-dimethoxy-p-benzoquinone and 2-phenyl-3-methoxy-[1H-2-benzopyran][4,3-e][p]benzoquinone, respectively, on the basis of various spectral data. Betulinans A and B inhibited lipid peroxidation with IC50 values of 0.46 and 2.88 μg/mL, respectively.

Abstract: Wood-inhabiting fungi, not necessarily responsible for major decay, are shown to be capable of degrading a toxic compound into a less potent form, thus rendering it less effective in protecting wood from decay by less-tolerant basidiomycetous wood-destroyers. Sweetgum or pine sapwood blocks treated with preservatives (ammoniacal copper arsenate, fluor-chrome-arsenate-dinitrophenol, a creosote or pentachlorophenol) were exposed progressively to two different wood-inhabiting fungi with sterilization between the first and second exposure. The fungus in the first exposure was usually an Ascomycete or a Fungi Imperfecti—Chaetomium globosum, Phoma, Orbicula, Graphium, Pestalozzia, or Trichoderma species, isolated from wood below the ground. In one experiment, the fungus in the first exposure was a basidiomycete, Lenzites trabea or Polyporus versicolor. The second fungus, a prominent Basidiomycete—Coniophora puteana, Lentinus lepideus, or Lenzites trabea—was the bioassay fungus, since its purpose was to show whether the first fungus had degraded the preservative. Generally, the treated block, except where exposed to another fungus, remained virtually untouched by the bioassay fungus. Clearly, therefore, the first fungus had rendered the preservative ineffective but without appreciably decaying the wood itself Chemical analyses of treated blocks indicated that in the first exposure the fungi had substantially depleted sodium arsenate and pentachlorophenol.

Abstract: Hyde, James M. (University of Mississippi Medical School, Jackson), and Charles H. Walkinshaw. Ultrastructure of basidiospores and mycelium of Lenzites saepiaria. J. Bacteriol. 92:1218-1227. 1966.-Ungerminated and germinated basidiospores and 2-day-old mycelial cultures of Lenzites saepiaria were similar in their fine structure. Fixation with glutaraldehyde, followed by osmium tetroxide, was far superior to permanganate. Cell organelles were seen in cytoplasm of spores and hyphae, and clamp connections were abundant in hyphal elements. Numerous lomasomes, vesicular bodies, and complex concentric membranes occurred in the cytoplasm and were often associated with the cell membrane or the dolipore membrane (parenthesome) of the septum. Endoplasmic reticulum was not found, but numerous ribosomes were seen; polyribosome groupings were frequently noted. The nucleus was bounded by a double membrane which contained few pores. Germinating spores exhibited one or more large osmiophilic bodies in association with a vacuole and membranous elements. Other than possessing a thin wall, the emerging germ tube was similar in structure to the parent spore.