Changes in oxidative enzyme activity during interspecific mycelial interactions involving the white-rot fungus Trametes versicolor

Interspecific fungal antagonism leads to biochemical changes in competing mycelia, including up-regulation of oxidative enzymes. Laccase, manganese peroxidase (MnP), manganese-repressed peroxidase (MRP) and lignin peroxidase (LiP) gene expression and enzyme activity were compared during agar interactions between Trametes versicolor and five other wood decay fungi resulting in a range of interaction outcomes from deadlock to replacement of one fungus by another. Increased laccase and Mn-oxidising activities were detected at all interaction zones, but there were few changes in activity in regions away from the interaction zone in T. versicolor mycelia compared to self-pairings. Whilst no LiP activity was detected in any pairing, low level LiP gene expression was detected. MnP activity was detected but not expression of MnP genes; instead, MRP could explain the observed activity. No relationship was found between extent of enzyme activity increase and interaction outcome. Similarities between patterns of gene expression and enzyme activity are discussed.