A mechanism for the degradation of wood by the brown rot fungus Gloeophyllum trabeum is outlined. The mechanism includes the function of redox-cycling, low molecular weight phenolic derivatives which sequester and reduce iron in acidic environments. The role of oxalate for the sequestration of iron (hydr)oxides and the pH dependent transfer of iron to the G. trabeum phenolic chelators, as well as for the maintenance of a pH gradient within the cell lumen and wood cell wall is discussed. A hypothesis for the generation of reactive oxygen species from the redox cycling of the phenolate compounds produced by G. trabeum as well as from free phenolics derived from the wood cell wall is outlined. Site specific production of hydroxyl radicals within the wood cell wall is discussed.

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