Enzymes Break Down Cellulose, Toxins

Biological Strategy

Gilled polypore

AskNature Team

Chemically Break Down Polymers

The vast majority of biochemical assembly and breakdown processes–even by the most complex organisms–occur within cells. In fact, cells are able to perform hundreds, even thousands of chemical transformations at the same time under life-friendly conditions (ambient temperature and pressure in an aqueous environment). For example, one of the biochemical pathways that break down proteins into their constituent amino acids is the protease enzyme-catalyzed processes that occur within the confined space of the lysosome–a membrane bound organelle in eukaryotic cells.

Search this Function

Basidiomycetes (Club fungi)

Division Basidiomycota (“club fungi”): Mushrooms, smuts, rusts

Basidiomycota are the iconic group of organisms that comprises up to one-third of all fungi: 16 classes, 1,589 genera, and about 30,000 species. Basidiomycota is the second largest group of fungi next to Ascomycota, the sac fungi known as molds, yeasts, and powdery mildews. Basidiomycota hold a worldwide importance in food, culture, folklore, and medicine. Most club fungi reproduce through spores, while a small group can reproduce asexually. While many mushrooms are foraged and eaten by people, some can produce deadly toxins and hallucinogens. Psilocybin mushrooms produce hallucinogenic toxins which hold some potential for the treatment of mental health disorders.

Search this Living System

Multicolor gill polypores and other brown rot fungi break down cellulose and some toxins using digestive enzymes.

Image: OhWeh / Wikipedia /

Trametes versicolor Schmetterlingstramete Picture taken in Bavaria/Germany

Image: James Lindsey / Wikipedia /

Trametes versicolor from Commanster, Belgium

“The powerful enzymes secreted by certain fungi digest lignin and , the primary structural components of wood. These digestive enzymes can also break down a surprisingly wide range of toxins that have chemical bonds like those in wood. Such mushrooms can be classified into 2 subgroups: brown rotters and white rotters. Only about 7 percent of mushrooms are brown rot fungi; of those, about 70 percent are polypores (Gilbertson and Ryvarden 1986-87). Brown rot fungi’s extracellular enzymes break down the white, pulpy cellulose, leaving behind the brownish lignin (hence the name).” (Stamets 2005:82)

Last Updated August 18, 2016

References

Book

Mycelium Running: How Mushrooms Can Help Save the World

01/10/2005 | Paul Stamets

embedly preview

AskNature