title: Agaricus bisporus genome sequence: a commentary.
abstract: The genomes of two isolates of Agaricus bisporus have been sequenced recently. This soil-inhabiting fungus has a wide geographical distribution in nature and it is also cultivated in an industrialized indoor process ($4.7bn annual worldwide value) to produce edible mushrooms. Previously this lignocellulosic fungus has resisted precise econutritional classification, i.e. into white- or brown-rot decomposers. The generation of the genome sequence and transcriptomic analyses has revealed a new classification, 'humicolous', for species adapted to grow in humic-rich, partially decomposed leaf material. The Agaricus biporus genomes contain a collection of polysaccharide and lignin-degrading genes and more interestingly an expanded number of genes (relative to other lignocellulosic fungi) that enhance degradation of lignin derivatives, i.e. heme-thiolate peroxidases and β-etherases. A motif that is hypothesized to be a promoter element in the humicolous adaptation suite is present in a large number of genes specifically up-regulated when the mycelium is grown on humic-rich substrate. The genome sequence of A. bisporus offers a platform to explore fungal biology in carbon-rich soil environments and terrestrial cycling of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.
authors.affiliation: Sylvan Biosciences, 198 Nolte Drive, Kittanning, PA 16201, USA.
authors.forename: Richard W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Kerrigan
authors.forename: Michael P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Challen
authors.forename: Kerry S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Burton
mesh_terms: D000364:Agaricus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000378:metabolism*; D048690:Fruiting Bodies, Fungal / Q000254:growth & development*; D015966:Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D000442:Octanols / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000442:Octanols; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; C038844:1-octen-3-ol