Why Study Schizophyllum

Abstract

The process of mating, fertilization, fruiting, meiosis and spore formation is regulated by two kinds of genetic factors residing at the A and B mating-type loci, earlier called incompatibility factors A and B. Over the eight decades since Kniep's discovery, revelations about the genetic, biochemical and molecular underpinnings of this bizarre system have made an exciting story (see list of selected references, below). While other interesting aspects of Schizophyllum have been explored, notably the hydrophobins of Wessels and associates (reviewed in W essels, 2000), a principal focus over the years has been on mating compatibility and sexual development. Although Schizophyllum commune 's main role in nature is to recycle carbon by breaking down celluose and xylans in fallen wood (Clarke and Yaguchi, 1986; Bray and Clarke, 1995), it has been documented occasionally as a pathogen in fruit orchards (Latham, 1970; Oprea, et al, 1995) and also in immunologically compromised humans (Buzina et al, 2001).