Oxidation of hydroquinones by the versatile ligninolytic peroxidase from Pleurotus eryngii. H2O2 generation and the influence of Mn2+.

Formation of H2O2 during the oxidation of three lignin-derived hydroquinones by the ligninolytic versatile peroxidase (VP), produced by the white-rot fungus Pleurotus eryngii, was investigated. VP can oxidize a wide variety of phenols, including hydroquinones, either directly in a manner similar to horseradish peroxidase (HRP), or indirectly through Mn3+ formed from Mn2+ oxidation, in a manner similar to manganese peroxidase (MnP). From several possible buffers (all pH 5), tartrate buffer was selected to study the oxidation of hydroquinones as it did not support the Mn2+-mediated activity of VP in the absence of exogenous H2O2 (unlike glyoxylate and oxalate buffers). In the absence of Mn2+, efficient hydroquinone oxidation by VP was dependent on exogenous H2O2. Under these conditions, semiquinone radicals produced by VP autoxidized to a certain extent producing superoxide anion radical (O2*-) that spontaneously dismutated to H2O2 and O2. The use of this peroxide by VP produced quinone in an amount greater than equimolar to the initial H2O2 (a quinone/H2O2 molar ratio of 1 was only observed under anaerobic conditions). In the presence of Mn2+, exogenous H2O2 was not required for complete oxidation of hydroquinone by VP. Reaction blanks lacking VP revealed H2O2 production due to a slow conversion of hydroquinone into semiquinone radicals (probably via autooxidation catalysed by trace amounts of free metal ions), followed by O2*- production through semiquinone autooxidation and O2*- reduction by Mn2+. This peroxide was used by VP to oxidize hydroquinone that was mainly carried out through Mn2+ oxidation. By comparing the activity of VP to that of MnP and HRP, it was found that the ability of VP and MnP to oxidize Mn2+ greatly increased hydroquinone oxidation efficiency.     

Description of a versatile peroxidase involved in the natural degradation of lignin that has both manganese peroxidase and lignin peroxidase substrate interaction sites

Two major peroxidases are secreted by the fungus Pleurotus eryngii in lignocellulose cultures. One is similar to Phanerochaete chrysosporium manganese-dependent peroxidase. The second protein (PS1), although catalyzing the oxidation of Mn2+ to Mn3+ by H2O2, differs from the above enzymes by its manganese-independent activity enabling it to oxidize substituted phenols and synthetic dyes, as well as the lignin peroxidase (LiP) substrate veratryl alcohol. This is by a mechanism similar to that reported for LiP, as evidenced by p-dimethoxybenzene oxidation yielding benzoquinone. The apparent kinetic constants showed high activity on Mn2+, but methoxyhydroquinone was the natural substrate with the highest enzyme affinity (this and other phenolic substrates are not efficiently oxidized by the P. chrysosporium peroxidases). A three-dimensional model was built using crystal models from four fungal peroxidase as templates. The model suggests high structural affinity of this versatile peroxidase with LiP but shows a putative Mn2+ binding site near the internal heme propionate, involving Glu36, Glu40, and Asp181. A specific substrate interaction site for Mn2+ is supported by kinetic data showing noncompetitive inhibition with other peroxidase substrates. Moreover, residues reported as involved in LiP interaction with veratryl alcohol and other aromatic substrates are present in peroxidase PS1 such as His82 at the heme-channel opening, which is remarkably similar to that of P. chrysosporium LiP, and Trp170 at the protein surface. These residues could be involved in two different hypothetical long range electron transfer pathways from substrate (His82-Ala83-Asn84-His47-heme and Trp170-Leu171-heme) similar to those postulated for LiP.     

Heterologous expression of active manganese peroxidase from Phanerochaete chrysosporium using the baculovirus expression system

The cDNA encoding Mn peroxidase isozyme H4 from Phanerochaete chrysosporium was recombined into a baculovirus and heterologously expressed in Sf9 cells. The recombinant Mn peroxidase has the same molecular weight as the native enzyme as determined by SDS-PAGE and cross-reacts with a Mn peroxidase-specific antibody. The recombinant enzyme has a slightly lower pI than the native fungal isozyme H4 indicating some differences in post-translational modification. Phenol red, guaiacol, and vanillylacetone, substrates of the native Mn peroxidase, are oxidized by the recombinant enzyme. All of the activities are dependent on both Mn (II) and H2O2.     

Manganese(II) oxidation by manganese peroxidase from the basidiomycete Phanerochaete chrysosporium. Kinetic mechanism and role of chelators.

Manganese oxidation by manganese peroxidase (MnP) was investigated. Stoichiometric, kinetic, and MnII binding studies demonstrated that MnP has a single manganese binding site near the heme, and two MnIII equivalents are formed at the expense of one H2O2 equivalent. Since each catalytic cycle step is irreversible, the data fit a peroxidase ping-pong mechanism rather than an ordered bi-bi ping-pong mechanism. MnIII-organic acid complexes oxidize terminal phenolic substrates in a second-order reaction. MnIII-lactate and -tartrate also react slowly with H2O2, with third-order kinetics. The latter slow reaction does not interfere with the rapid MnP oxidation of phenols. Oxalate and malonate are the only organic acid chelators secreted by the fungus in significant amounts. No relationship between stimulation of enzyme activity and chelator size was found, suggesting that the substrate is free MnII rather than a MnII-chelator complex. The enzyme competes with chelators for free MnII. Optimal chelators, such as malonate, facilitate MnIII dissociation from the enzyme, stabilize MnIII in aqueous solution, and have a relatively low MnII binding constant.     

Engineering of a manganese-binding site in lignin peroxidase isozyme H8 from Phanerochaete chrysosporium

A Mn(2+)-binding site was created in the recombinant lignin peroxidase isozyme H8 from Phanerochaete chrysosporium. In fungal Mn peroxidase, the Mn-binding site is composed of Glu35, Glu39, and Asp179. We generated a similar site in lignin peroxidase by generating an anionic binding site. We generated three mutations: Asn182Asp, Asp183Lys, and Ala36Glu. Its activity, veratryl alcohol, and Mn(2+) oxidation were compared to those of native recombinant enzyme and to fungal Mn peroxidase isozyme H4, respectively. The mutated enzyme was able to oxidize Mn(2+) and still retain its ability to oxidize veratryl alcohol. Steady-state results indicate that the enzyme's ability to oxidize veratryl alcohol was lowered slightly. The K(m) for Mn(2+) was determined to be 1.57 mM and the k(cat) = 5.45 s(-1). These results indicate that the mutated lignin peroxidase is less effective in Mn(2+) oxidation that the wild type fungal enzyme. The pH optima of veratryl alcohol and Mn oxidation were altered by the mutation. They are one unit of pH value higher than those of recombinant H8 and wild type fungal Mn peroxidase isozyme H4.     

Mn-peroxidase from Bjerkandera adusta 90-41. Purification and substrate specificity

Mn-peroxidase has been purified to homogeneity from culture liquid of white-rot fungus Bjerkandera adusta 90-41 grown on medium containing lignosulfonates. According to the data on SDS-PAGE and isoelectrofocusing, the molecular mass of the enzyme is 43 kD and the isoelectric point is 3.5. The pH-optimum in the reaction of MnSO4 oxidation is 4.5. The substrate specificity of the enzyme has been studied. In contrast to previously known Mn-peroxidases from B. adusta, the isolated enzyme has no activity with veratryl alcohol. The enzyme can oxidize ammonium 2, 2-azino-bis(ethyl-6-benzothiazoline sulfonate) (ABTS), o-phenylenediamine, and phenol red in the absence of Mn2+. Oxidation of ABTS and o-phenylenediamine is stimulated by Mn2+, whereas in the reaction of oxidation of phenol red Mn2+ acts as an inhibitor. Some aromatic substrates, such as pyrocatechol and guaiacol, are oxidized only in the presence of Mn2+.     

Generation of hydrogen peroxide, superoxide and hydroxyl radicals during the oxidation of dihydroxyfumaric acid by peroxidase.

1. Dihydroxyfumarate slowly autoxidizes at pH6. This reaction is inhibited by superoxide dismutase but not by EDTA. Mn2+ catalyses dihydroxyfumarate oxidation by reacting with O2 leads to to form Mn3+, which seems to oxidize dihydrofumarate rapidly. Cu2+ also catalyses dihydroxyfumarate oxidation, but by a mechanism that does not involve O2 leads to. 2. Peroxidase catalyses oxidation of dihydroxyfumarate at pH6; addition of H2O2 does not increase the rate. Experiments with superoxide dismutase and catalase suggest that there are two types of oxidation taking place: an enzymic, H2O2-dependent oxidation of dihydroxyfumarate by peroxidase, and a non-enzymic reaction involving oxidation of dihydroxyfumarate by O2 leads to. The latter accounts for most of the observed oxidation of dihydroxyfumarate. 3. During dihydroxyfumarate oxidation, most peroxidase is present as compound III, and the enzymic oxidation may be limited by the low rate of breakdown of this compound. 4. Addition of p-coumaric acid to the peroxidase/dihydroxyfumarate system increases the rate of dihydroxyfumarate oxidation, which is now stimulated by addition of H2O2, and is more sensitive to inhibition by catalase but less sensitive to superoxide dismutase. Compound III is decomposed in the presence of p-coumaric acid. p-Hydroxybenzoate has similar, but much smaller, effects on dihydroxyfumarate oxidation. However, salicylate affects neither the rate nor the mechanism of dihydroxyfumarate oxidation. 5. p-Hydroxybenzoate, salicylate and p-coumarate are hydroxylated by the peroxidase/dihydroxyfumarate system. Experiments using scavengers of hydroxyl radicals shown that OH is required. Ability to increase dihydroxyfumarate oxidation is not necessary for hydroxylation to occur.     

Mn(II) oxidation is the principal function of the extracellular Mn-peroxidase from Phanerochaete chrysosporium

The manganese peroxidase (MnP), from the lignin-degrading fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium, an H2O2-dependent heme enzyme, oxidizes a variety of organic compounds but only in the presence of Mn(II). The homogeneous enzyme rapidly oxidizes Mn(II) to Mn(III) with a pH optimum of 5.0; the latter was detected by the characteristic spectrum of its lactate complex. In the presence of H2O2 the enzyme oxidizes Mn(II) significantly faster than it oxidizes all other substrates. Addition of 1 M equivalent of H2O2 to the native enzyme in 20 mM Na-succinate, pH 4.5, yields MnP compound II, characterized by a Soret maximum at 416 nm. Subsequent addition of 1 M equivalent of Mn(II) to the compound II form of the enzyme results in its rapid reduction to the native Fe3+ species. Mn(III)-lactate oxidizes all of the compounds which are oxidized by the enzymatic system. The relative rates of oxidation of various substrates by the enzymatic and chemical systems are similar. In addition, when separated from the polymeric dye Poly B by a semipermeable membrane, the enzyme in the presence of Mn(II)-lactate and H2O2 oxidizes the substrate. All of these results indicate that the enzyme oxidizes Mn(II) to Mn(III) and that the Mn(III) complexed to lactate or other alpha-hydroxy acids acts as an obligatory oxidation intermediate in the oxidation of various dyes and lignin model compounds. In the absence of exogenous H2O2, the Mn-peroxidase oxidized NADH to NAD+, generating H2O2 in the process. The H2O2 generated by the oxidation of NADH could be utilized by the enzyme to oxidize a variety of other substrates.     

Mechanism of peroxidase inactivation in liquid cultures of the ligninolytic fungus pleurotus pulmonarius

It has recently been reported that Pleurotus pulmonarius secretes a versatile peroxidase that oxidizes Mn2+, as well as different phenolic and nonphenolic aromatic compounds; this enzyme has also been detected in other Pleurotus species and in Bjerkandera species. During culture production of the enzyme, the activity of the main peak was as high as 1,000 U/liter (measured on the basis of the Mn3+-tartrate formation) but this peak was very ephemeral due to enzyme instability (up to 80% of the activity was lost within 15 h). In culture filtrates inactivation was even faster; all peroxidase activity was lost within a few hours. Using different inhibitor compounds, we found that proteases were not responsible for the decrease in peroxidase activity. Peroxidase instability coincided with an increase in the H2O2 concentration, which reached 200 μM when filtrates were incubated for several hours. It also coincided with the onset of biosynthesis of anisylic compounds and a decrease in the pH of the culture. Anisyl alcohol is the natural substrate of the enzyme aryl-alcohol oxidase, the main source of extracellular H2O2 in Pleurotus cultures, and addition of anisyl alcohol to filtrates containing stable peroxidase activity resulted in rapid inactivation. A decrease in the culture pH could also dramatically affect the stability of the P. pulmonarius peroxidase, as shown by using pH values ranging from 6 to 3.25, which resulted in an increase in the level of inactivation by 10 μM H2O2 from 5 to 80% after 1 h. Moreover, stabilization of the enzyme was observed after addition of catalase, Mn2+, or some phenols or after dialysis of the culture filtrate. We concluded that extracellular H2O2 produced by the fungus during oxidation of aromatic metabolites is responsible for inactivation of the peroxidase and that the enzyme can protect itself in the presence of different reducing substrates.     

NADH oxidation by manganese peroxidase with or without alpha-hydroxy acid

NADH oxidation by manganese peroxidase (MnP) was done in a reaction mixture including either alpha-hydroxy acid or acetate. The oxidation in the former reaction mixture was inhibited by a catalase and was accelerated by exogenous H2O2, while the oxidation in the latter reaction mixture was inhibited by a superoxide dismutase and was not accelerated by the exogenous H2O2. These results indicated that there are significant differences between the two reaction systems, particularly, in the active oxygen species involved in the reactions. Additionally, the experiment of MnP reduction with Mn(II) suggests that MnP has a separate catalytic activity other than an oxidation of Mn(II) to Mn(III) in the reaction mixture including acetate.     

Induction, isolation, and characterization of two laccases from the white rot basidiomycete Coriolopsis rigida

Previous work has shown that the white rot fungus Coriolopsis rigida degraded wheat straw lignin and both the aliphatic and aromatic fractions of crude oil from contaminated soils. To better understand these processes, we studied the enzymatic composition of the ligninolytic system of this fungus. Since laccase was the sole ligninolytic enzyme found, we paid attention to the oxidative capabilities of this enzyme that would allow its participation in the mentioned degradative processes. We purified two laccase isoenzymes to electrophoretic homogeneity from copper-induced cultures. Both enzymes are monomeric proteins, with the same molecular mass (66 kDa), isoelectric point (3.9), N-linked carbohydrate content (9%), pH optima of 3.0 on 2,6-dimethoxyphenol (DMP) and 2.5 on 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), absorption spectrum, and N-terminal amino acid sequence. They oxidized 4-anisidine and numerous phenolic compounds, including methoxyphenols, hydroquinones, and lignin-derived aldehydes and acids. Phenol red, an unusual substrate of laccase due to its high redox potential, was also oxidized. The highest enzyme affinity and efficiency were obtained with ABTS and, among phenolic compounds, with 2,6-dimethoxyhydroquinone (DBQH(2)). The presence of ABTS in the laccase reaction expanded the substrate range of C. rigida laccases to nonphenolic compounds and that of MBQH(2) extended the reactions catalyzed by these enzymes to the production of H(2)O(2), the oxidation of Mn(2+), the reduction of Fe(3+), and the generation of hydroxyl radicals. These results confirm the participation of laccase in the production of oxygen free radicals, suggesting novel uses of this enzyme in degradative processes.     

Mn-dependent peroxidase from the lignin-degrading white rot fungus Phlebia radiata

A homogeneous Mn-dependent peroxidase (MnP) was purified from the extracellular culture fluid of the lignin-degrading white rot fungus Phlebia radiata by anion exchange chromatography. The enzyme had a molecular weight of 49,000 and pI 3.8. It was a glycoprotein, containing carbohydrate moieties accounting for 10% of the molecular weight. Mn-peroxidase was capable of oxidizing phenolic compounds in the presence of H2O2, whereas the effect on nonphenolic lignin model compounds was insignificant. MnP contained protoporphyrin IX as a prosthetic group. During enzymatic reactions H2O2 converted the native MnP to compound II. Mn2+ was essential in completing the catalytic cycle by returning the enzyme to its native state. The oxidation of ultimate substrates was dependent on superoxide radicals, O2- and probably on Mn3+ generated during the catalytic cycle. MnP exhibited high activity of NADH oxidation without exogenously added H2O2. It was shown to produce H2O2 at the expense of NADH.     

Two-step oxidation of glycerol to glyceric acid catalyzed by the Phanerochaete chrysosporium glyoxal oxidase

Glyoxal oxidase of P. chrysosporium is a radical copper oxidase that catalyzes oxidation of aldehydes to carboxylic acids coupled to dioxygen reduction to H(2)O(2). In addition to known substrates, glycerol is also found to be a substrate for glyoxal oxidase. During enzyme turnover, glyoxal oxidase undergoes a reversible inactivation, probably caused by loss of the active site free radical, resulting in short-lasting enzyme activities and undetectable substrate conversions. Enzyme activity could be extended by including two additional enzymes, horseradish peroxidase and catalase, in addition to a redox chemical activator, such as Mn(III) (or Mn(II)+H(2)O(2)) or hexachloroiridate. Using this three-enzyme system glycerol was converted in glyceric acid in a two-step reaction, with glyceraldehyde as intermediate. A possible operation mechanism is proposed in which the three enzymes would work coordinately allowing to maintain a sustained glyoxal oxidase activity. In the course of its catalytic cycle, glyoxal oxidase alternates between two functional and interconvertible reduced and oxidized forms resulting from a two-electron transfer process. However, glyoxal oxidase can also undergo an one-electron reduction to a catalytically inactive form lacking the active site free radical. Horseradish peroxidase could use glyoxal oxidase-generated H(2)O(2) to oxidize Mn(II) to Mn(III) which, in turn, would reoxidize and reactivate the inactive form of glyoxal oxidase. Catalase would remove the excess of H(2)O(2) generated during the reaction. In spite of the improvement achieved using the three-enzyme system, glyoxal oxidase inactivation still occurred, which resulted in low substrate conversions. Possible causes of inactivation, including end-product inhibition, are discussed.     

Inhibition of lignin peroxidase H2 by sodium azide.

The oxidation of veratryl alcohol (3,4-dimethoxybenzyl alcohol) by lignin peroxidase H2 from Phanerochaete chrysosporium and H2O2 was strongly inhibited by sodium azide. Inhibition was competitive with respect to veratryl alcohol (Ki = 1-2 microM) and uncompetitive with respect to H2O2. In contrast, sodium azide bound to the native enzyme at pH 6.0 with an apparent dissociation constant (KD) of 126 mM. Formation of azidyl radicals was detected by ESR spin trapping techniques. The enzymes is nearly completely inactivated in four turnovers. The H2O2-activated enzyme intermediate (compound I) reacted with sodium azide to form a new species rather than be reduced to the enzyme intermediate compound II. The new species has absorption maxima at 418, 540, and 570 nm, suggesting the formation of a ferrous-lignin peroxidase-NO complex. Confirmation of this assignment was obtained by low-temperature ESR spectroscopy. An identical complex could be simulated by the addition of nitrite to the reduced enzyme. The enzyme intermediate compound II is readily reduced by sodium azide to native enzyme with essentially no loss of activity.     

Anomalous oxidation of MDL 73,404 by horseradish peroxidase

3,4-Dihydro-6-hydroxy-N,N,N-2,5,7,8-heptamethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-2-ethanaminium-4-methylbenzene sulfonate (MDL 73,404) is a cardioselective water-soluble quaternary ammonium analogue of Vitamin E which is synthesized to augment the antioxidant defence in situations of free radical injury such as myocardial infarction/reperfusion. Its oxidation by any peroxidative enzyme has not been studied kinetically. This paper describes its enzymatic oxidation by horseradish peroxidase (HRP). The activity was followed spectrophotometrically at 255nm, and the experimental results were simulated using the program "KINETIC 3.1" for Windows 3.x. The MDL 73,404 was oxidized by horseradish peroxidase in the presence of H2O2 to its corresponding MDL 73,404 quinone. During this oxidation, the horseradish peroxidase showed an unexpectedly slow kinetic response with time, which contrast with the linear product accumulation curve measured with 2,2'-azino-bis-(3-estilbenzotiazol-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS). This response was dependent on the respective concentrations of enzyme, MDL 73,404 and H2O2. However, when the enzyme was incubated with H2O2, the slow kinetic response disappeared and a lag period was observed. Furthermore, when p-coumaric acid (PCA) was added, the activity increased and the slow kinetic response became a straight line. In order to explain this anomalous behaviour, a kinetic model has been proposed and its differential equations simulated. From the correlation between experimental and simulated results it is concluded that MDL 73,404 can act as a slow response substrate for peroxidase, probably due to the presence of a quaternary ammonium side chain that confers on it a slow capacity to convert compound III into ferriperoxidase.     

Activation by ATP of calcium-dependent NADPH-oxidase generating hydrogen peroxide in thyroid plasma membranes

An H2O2-generating fraction was prepared from porcine thyroid homogenate by differential and Percoll-density gradient centrifugations. The fraction consisted of mainly fragmented plasma membranes as judged by marker enzyme analysis and electron microscopy. The fraction produced H2O2 by reaction with NADPH only in the presence of Ca2+. The Ca2+ concentration for half-maximal activation (KCa) was about 0.1 microM and the Hill coefficient was 2. Sr2+ also activated the reaction whereas Mn2+, Zn2+, and Cd2+ inhibited it. The reaction was enhanced about twice by addition of ATP but not ADP, and inhibited by addition of hexokinase together with glucose to remove ATP. The Km value for NADPH was 35 microM and was less than 1/12 that for NADH. The NADPH oxidation rate was measured and the KCa and the Km were similar to those for the H2O2 production. The stoichiometry between the oxidation and the H2O2 formation was essentially 1. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and KCN did not affect H2O2 production. The fraction catalyzed NADPH-cytochrome c reduction but the activity was SOD-insensitive. These results suggest that H2O2 was not generated through superoxide anion formation. NADPH-dichloroindophenol (DCIP) reductase activity was also observed and DCIP inhibited the production of H2O2. The cytochrome c and DCIP reductase activities were not influenced by Ca2+ or ATP. A unique electron transport system regulated by Ca2+ and ATP exists in the thyroid plasma membrane that produces H2O2. The concentrations of Ca2+ and ATP in thyroid cells may regulate hormone synthesis through activation of the production of H2O2, a substrate for peroxidase.     

The mechanism of peroxidase-mediated cytotoxicity. I. Comparison of horseradish peroxidase and lactoperoxidase

The kinetics of the cytolytic activity expressed by lactoperoxidase and horseradish peroxidase toward erythrocytes in the presence of H2O2 and iodide have been investigated at physiological pH. The action of both enzymes was found to be very similar with respect to their kinetic mechanisms. Both enzymes showed saturation kinetics at higher enzyme concentrations under conditions where substrate concentrations were not limiting. Optimal concentrations of H2O2 and iodide were found to be 40 and 25 microM, respectively, for both enzymes. Higher concentrations of H2O2 inhibited the cytolytic activity. The pH dependence of the cytolytic reaction is also very similar for both enzymes, showing maximal activity at about pH 6.3. Moreover, the cytolytic activities of both enzymes were inhibited by tyrosine, tryptophan, cysteine, and to a lesser extent by histidine. We conclude from these data that the mechanisms of horseradish peroxidase and lactoperoxidase in promoting the lysis of erythrocytes are closely related if not identical.     

Lignin peroxidase oxidation of Mn2+ in the presence of veratryl alcohol, malonic or oxalic acid, and oxygen

Veratryl alcohol (3,4-dimethoxybenzyl alcohol) appears to have multiple roles in lignin degradation by Phanerochaete chrysosporium. It is synthesized de novo by the fungus. It apparently induces expression of lignin peroxidase (LiP), and it protects LiP from inactivation by H2O2. In addition, veratryl alcohol has been shown to potentiate LiP oxidation of compounds that are not good LiP substrates. We have now observed the formation of Mn3+ in reaction mixtures containing LiP, Mn2+, veratryl alcohol, malonate buffer, H2O2, and O2. No Mn3+ was formed if veratryl alcohol or H2O2 was omitted. Mn3+ formation also showed an absolute requirement for oxygen, and oxygen consumption was observed in the reactions. This suggests involvement of active oxygen species. In experiments using oxalate (a metabolite of P. chrysosporium) instead of malonate, similar results were obtained. However, in this case, we detected (by ESR spin-trapping) the production of carbon dioxide anion radical (CO2.-) and perhydroxyl radical (.OOH) in reaction mixtures containing LiP, oxalate, veratryl alcohol, H2O2, and O2. Our data indicate the formation of oxalate radical, which decays to CO2 and CO2.-. The latter reacts with O2 to form O2.-, which then oxidizes Mn2+ to Mn3+. No radicals were detected in the absence of veratryl alcohol. These results indicate that LiP can indirectly oxidize Mn2+ and that veratryl alcohol is probably a radical mediator in this system.     

Oxidase-peroxidase enzymes of Datura innoxia. Oxidation of reduced nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide in the presence of formylphenylacetic acid ethyl ester.

The oxidase-peroxidase from Datura innoxia which catalyses the oxidation of formylphenylacetic acid ethyl ester to benzoylformic acid ethyl ester and formic acid was also found to catalyse the oxidation of NADH in the presence of Mn2+ and formylphenylacetic acid ethyl ester. NADH was not oxidized in the absence of formylphenylacetic acid ethyl ester, although formylphenylacetonitrile or phenylacetaldehyde could replace it in the reaction. The reaction appeared to be complex and for every mol of NADH oxidized 3-4 g-atoms of oxygen were utilized, with a concomitant formation of approx. 0.8 mol of H2O2, the latter being identified by the starch-iodide test and decomposition by catalase. Benzoylformic acid ethyl ester was also formed in the reaction, but in a nonlinear fashion, indicating a lag phase. In the absence of Mn2+, NADH oxidation was not only very low, but itself inhibited the formation of benzoylformic acid ethyl ester from formylphenylacetic acid ethyl ester. A reaction mechanism for the oxidation of NADH in the presence of formylphenylacetic acid ethyl ester is proposed.