Biochemical characterization and potential for textile dye degradation of blue laccase from Aspergillus ochraceus NCIM-1146

In our study, we produced intracellular blue laccase by growing the filamentous fungus Aspergillus ochraceus NCIM-1146 in potato dextrose broth. The enzyme was then purified 22-fold to a specific activity of 4.81 U/mg using anion-exchange and size exclusion chromatography. The molecular weight of purified laccase was estimated as 68 kDa using sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The enzyme showed maximum substrate specificity toward 2,2′-Azinobis, 3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid than any other substrate. The optimum pH and temperature for laccase activity were 4.0 and 60°C, respectively. The purified enzyme was stable up to 50°C, and high laccase activity was maintained at pH 5.0 ∼ 7.0. Laccase activity was strongly inhibited by sodium azide, EDTA, dithiothreitol, and L-cysteine. Purified laccase decolorized various textile dyes within 4 h in the absence of redox mediators. HPLC and FTIR analysis confirmed degradation of methyl orange. The metabolite formed after decolorization of methyl orange was characterized as p-N,N′-dimethylamine phenyldiazine using GCMS.     

Purification and characterization of an extracellular laccase from a Pseudomonas sp. LBC1 and its application for the removal of bisphenol A

The Pseudomonas sp. LBC1 produced extracellular laccase when grown in the nutrient broth. The enzyme was purified using acetone precipitation and an anion-exchange chromatography. The molecular weight of the purified laccase was estimated as 70 kDa by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. An enzyme showed maximum substrate specificity towards o-tolidine than other substrates of laccase including 2,2′-azinobis, 3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid, hydroquinone, N,N′-dimethyl phenylene diamine, syringic acid and veratryl alcohol. The optimum pH and temperature for the laccase activity were 4.0 and 40 °C, respectively. Cyclic voltammogram revealed the redox potential of purified enzyme as 0.30 V. The laccase was stable up to 40 °C and within pH range 6.0–8.0. Sodium azide and EDTA strongly inhibited laccase activity. The purified laccase completely degraded the higher concentration of bisphenol A within 5 h. Biodegradation metabolites of bisphenol A were characterized by using FTIR, HPLC and GC–MS.     

Removal of estrogenic activity of endocrine-disrupting genistein by ligninolytic enzymes from white rot fungi

Endocrine-disrupting genistein was treated with the white rot fungus Phanerochaete sordida YK-624 under ligninolytic condition with low-nitrogen and high-carbon culture medium. Genistein decreased by 93% after 4 days of treatment and the activities of ligninolytic enzymes, manganese peroxidase (MnP) and laccase, were detected during treatment, thus suggesting that the disappearance of genistein is related to ligninolytic enzymes produced extracellularly by white rot fungi. Therefore, genistein was treated with MnP, laccase, and the laccase-mediator system with 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (HBT) as a mediator. HPLC analysis demonstrated that genistein disappeared almost completely in the reaction mixture after 4 h of treatment with either MnP, laccase, or the laccase-HBT system. Using the yeast two-hybrid assay system, it was also confirmed that three enzymatic treatments completely removed the estrogenic activity of genistein after 4h. These results strongly suggest that ligninolytic enzymes are effective in removing the estrogenic activity of genistein.     

灰树花漆酶酶学性质的初步研究

漆酶是一种具有广泛应用前景的多功能酶,但能否大规模工业化生产成了制约其应用开发的主要瓶颈之一。担子菌类真菌是分泌漆酶的主要来源之一,灰树花隶属于担子菌,但有关其分泌漆酶的研究鲜有报道。本文初步探讨了pH值、温度及不同阴、阳离子等因素对灰树花孢外漆酶酶学特性的影响,结果表明灰树花孢外漆酶最适反应pH值为2.2,最适反应温度65℃,且反应体系中缓冲液的组成也会影响灰树花漆酶的活性。灰树花漆酶具有较强的热稳定性,但反应体系中若存在卤族离子则会强烈抑制灰树花漆酶的活性。本研究为今后开发利用灰树花漆酶提供了借鉴。     

Early attack and subsequent changes produced in an industrial lignin by a fungal laccase and a laccase-mediator system: an analytical approach

An industrial kraft pine lignin (Indulin AT, KL) was characterized and treated in both aqueous-buffered media and dioxane to water, either with a partially purified laccase from Fusarium proliferatum or with the laccase plus 2,2′-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic-acid (ABTS) as mediator. The changes in the lignin after different incubation periods were analyzed through the application of high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), UV–visible (Vis) spectroscopy and pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS). At the onset of incubation, laccase-treated samples showed a slight polymerization and strong modifications in UV–Vis spectra. Through Py-GC/MS, a decrease in phenolic and methoxy-bearing pyrolysis products was observed, in contrast to an increase in the more oxidized products. After longer incubation periods (48 h) a substantial polymerization was detected by HPLC, along with a decrease in the guaiacyl (G) units. In contrast, the analysis by HPLC of the samples recovered from the laccase-ABTS system (LMS) showed an intense depolymerization, accompanied by a sizeable loss in G units and a decrease in the methyl and ethyl side-chain phenolic compounds. These results provide conclusive evidence of a rapid initial attack of the industrial lignin by laccase and notable modifications in the KL after longer incubation periods with laccase or LMS.     

三相鼓泡塔生物反应器培养云芝菌合成漆酶

为了提高云芝菌发酵生产漆酶的效率,提出了一种利用自絮凝菌丝球在三相鼓泡塔生物反应器中重复分批发酵产漆酶的新方法。在优化后的产酶条件下,考察维生素C的添加浓度对漆酶活力的影响,并通过在培养基中添加维生素C进行漆酶多批次培养。研究结果表明,维生素C的添加浓度为1.50mmol/L时,可使漆酶活力提高2.6倍。连续进行了10批培养,每批最大漆酶的活力均在1000 U/mL以上,最高酶活出现在第五批为1919.6 U/mL,总培养时间达25 d。此方法所得漆酶对染料靛蓝具有明显的脱色降解作用,在介体1-羟基苯并三唑（HBT）用量0.10%,漆酶用量100 U/L条件下作用40 min时,靛蓝脱色率达到96.7%。该方法采用的三相鼓泡塔生物反应器性能稳定、菌丝球可重复使用,该方法有利于漆酶的高效、规模化生产。     

Purification of extracellular laccase from Cerrena unicolor

Cerrena unicolor was found to produce large amounts of extracellular laccase when grown aerobically on the optimized Lindenberg and Holm medium in fermenter culture with an automatic pH control. The laccase from this source was purified to homogeneity by a rapid procedure, using ion-exchange chromatography, affinity chromatography, and chromatofocusing. The enzymes isoforms were recovered with a 65- to 92-fold increase in specific activity and a yield for Ia1?=?6.7%; Ia2?=?27.5%; Ib?=?9.7%; and IIa1?=?21%. The molecular mass of the purified enzymes proved to be 45, 47, 54, and 62?kD, respectively, as determined by size-exclusion high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The isoelectric points were in the range of 4.7 to 4.2, and the carbohydrate content in the purified enzymes was between 1.6 and 3.5%.     

Peculiarities of direct bioelectrocatalysis by laccase in aqueous-nonaqueous mixtures

The effect of concentration of ethanol and dimethyl sulfoxide on the catalytic activity of laccase is studied for the enzymatic reaction of catechol oxidation and bioelectrocatalytic reaction of oxygen reduction under the conditions of direct electron transfer. Laccase-Nafion composite is elaborated ensuring the enzyme stability in a wide potential range and a content of organic solvents. Based on the STM measurements, the structure of composite layer is proposed. It is shown that the mechanism of oxygen reduction reaction by laccase in organo-aqueous mixtures is similar to that earlier proposed for aqueous solutions. A decrease in the electrocatalytic activity of laccase in the oxygen reduction correlates with a decrease in the laccase enzymatic activity in the substrate oxidation. However, a decrease in the laccase activity in the composite is observed at a higher content of organic solvent in the mixture. The mechanism of laccase inactivation by organic solvents is proposed.     

Spatiotemporal Patterns of Laccase Activity in Interacting Mycelia of Wood-Decaying Basidiomycete Fungi

Abstract Interspecific fungal interactions are important ecological processes, whereas their physiological mechanisms are little understood. The aim of this work was to study how activity of fungal extracellular laccase was changed across mycelia during interactions between white- and brown-rot basidiomycetes from different wood decay stages. Qualitative assay of eight species interacting with each other in all combinations showed four spatial patterns of laccase activity: (I) laccase activity present both in contact zone and mycelium, (II) laccase activity only in contact zone, (III) laccase activity in mycelium but not in contact zone, (IV) no laccase activity. Presence of laccase activity only in the contact zone was more frequent than expected from random samples associated with mycelia that replaced other ones. On the other hand, the presence of laccase activity in the mycelium but not in the contact zone was only attributed to fungal species that were replaced by their antagonists. After one month, laccase activity was distributed over mycelia more homogeneously than after 6 days of interactions. In interacting mycelia, laccase activity was higher than in control and increasing with time. Saprotrophic fungi from late successional stages of wood decay generally had higher laccase activity than early succession saprotrophic and pathogenic fungi. The qualitative assays were confirmed by quantitative assay of total laccase activity. Significance of the results in antagonistic fungal interactions as well as in the processes of hyphal tip growth and mycelium senescence is discussed. Received: 6 October 1999; Accepted: 1 February 2000; Online Publication: 5 May 2000     

Association of laccase activity with conidiation in an aflatoxigenic strain of Aspergillus parasiticus

Abstract The relationship between laccase activity and asexual development in Aspergillus parasiticus was established. A. parasiticus produced a laccase activity similar to that reported for Aspergillus nidulans . Laccase activity appeared only in conidiating cultures and was absent from vegetative cultures. Shaking of the cultures inhibited conidiation and suppressed laccase activity. The composition of the media affected the degree of conidiation and the specific activity of laccase. Ammonium sulphate as sole nitrogen source was suppressive, whereas glutamate was highly stimulatory to both conidiation and laccase production. The addition of citrate was also stimulatory to conidia production and, to a lesser degree, laccase activity. There appears to be no quantitative correlation between laccase activity and the number of conidia produced.     

Enhanced formation of laccase activity by the white-rot fungus Trametes pubescens in the presence of copper

The white-rot fungus Trametes pubescens MB 89 has been identified as an outstanding, although not-yet-described, producer of the industrially important enzyme laccase. Extracellular laccase formation could be greatly stimulated by the addition of Cu(II) to a simple, glucose-based culture medium. Using optimum Cu concentrations (1.5-2.0 mM), maximum values for laccase activity of approximately 65 U/ml were obtained. The synthesis of the laccase protein depended on the presence of Cu in the medium as shown by Western blot analysis. Copper had to be supplemented during the exponential phase of growth for its maximal effect; addition during the stationary phase, during which laccase activity is predominantly formed, resulted in markedly reduced laccase productivity. As was shown by X-ray microanalysis of T pubescens mycelia obtained from a laboratory fermentation, Cu was rapidly taken up by the fungal biomass. A possible explanation for this stimulatory effect of Cu on laccase biosynthesis could be a role for this enzyme activity in melanin synthesis. The stimulatory effect of Cu on laccase synthesis was also effective for several other basidiomycetes and hence could be used as a simple method to boost the production of this enzyme.     

芳香族化合物对斑玉蕈菌丝生物量、漆酶活性及其转录水平的影响

芳香族化合物适当时间适当浓度添加到培养基中,可提高真菌漆酶活性,有助于增强其对木质纤维素的利用效率。为了增强斑玉蕈漆酶活性,本文研究了8种芳香族化合物对其酶活的影响及其与菌丝生物量的相关性。研究发现在无诱导物条件下,斑玉蕈漆酶活性和菌丝生物量相关系数r为0.9956,说明它们呈正相关,但是整个培养过程漆酶活性相对较低;供试的芳香族化合物对漆酶活性都有不同程度的诱导作用,其中添加0.1mmol/L的愈创木酚对斑玉蕈漆酶活性诱导作用最大,达到3倍以上,同时提高了斑玉蕈菌丝生长速度和菌丝生物量;而随着添加时间的延长,部分化合物对漆酶活性和菌丝生物量都产生不同程度的抑制作用,这可能因为化合物对菌丝毒性的延长导致菌丝生长变慢或死亡;进一步研究发现,斑玉蕈3个漆酶同工酶基因lcc2、lcc3和lcc4在诱导剂愈创木酚的影响下转录水平都不同程度地上调。研究结果表明诱导漆酶活性可以提高斑玉蕈菌丝生长速度和生物量,暗示可能通过提高漆酶活性的方法,提高斑玉蕈的培养基利用效率。     

Laccase activities of a soil fungus Penicillium simplicissimum in relation to lignin degradation

Summary The laccase activities of Penicillium simplicissimum H5 during solid-state fermentation with rice straw were studied. Degradation of lignocellulose was also followed. Results showed that all supplemental carbon sources inhibited the laccase activity in different degrees, while suitable concentrations of supplemental nitrogen sources remarkably enhanced the laccase activity. The enhancement of activity by the ordinary laccase inducers 2, 2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) and xylidine was not observed in this study. Lignocellulose degradation was improved when laccase activity was relatively low, suggesting a polymerizing function of laccase in lignin degradation by P. simplicissimum.     

Extracellular laccase activity and transcript levels of putative laccase genes during removal of the xenoestrogen technical nonylphenol by the aquatic hyphomycete Clavariopsis aquatica

We investigated the influence of potential laccase inducers with environmental relevance on extracellular laccase activity and removal of the xenoestrogen technical nonylphenol (tNP) by the aquatic hyphomycete Clavariopsis aquatica. Concomitantly, we identified two putative laccase gene fragments (Icc1 and Icc2) and have followed their expression during removal of tNP under different conditions. Our results indicate a significant effect of copper on extracellular laccase activity in supernatants of fungal cultures. Laccase activity was highest in the presence of copper when added together with vanillic acid, followed by copper when used alone. Only slight laccase activities were recorded in the presence of only vanillic acid, whereas in the absence of either compound laccase activities were negligible. Laccase activity was well correlated with the removal efficiency of tNP, indicating the involvement of laccase in tNP bioconversion. Overall, Icc2 was less expressed than Icc1. The expression of Icc1 and Icc2 correlated only partially with the measured laccase activity, suggesting the existence of cell-associated laccase fractions not detectable in fungal culture supernatants and/or the existence of additional laccase genes.     

Increased production of extracellular laccase by the white rot fungus Coriolus versicolor MTCC 138

Summary The white rot fungus Coriolus versicolor MTCC 138 has been identified as an excellent producer of the industrially important enzyme laccase. The basal medium containing glucose gave laccase activity of 155 U/ml. Screening of different media components and their effects on laccase production by Coriolus versicolor was studied using one factor at a time and L₉ (3⁴) orthogonal array method. A two-fold increase (305 U/ml) in laccase production was observed using a combination of glucose and starch as carbon source and yeast extract as nitrogen source. This activity is very high as compared to most of the reported strains. Hence this strain was explored for enhancement in laccase. The formation of extracellular laccase could be considerably stimulated by the addition of copper in the optimized medium. Addition of 1 mM copper enhanced laccase activity to 460 U/ml. Laccase production was further enhanced using different aromatic inducers. Among different inducers used 2,5-xylidine was found to be the best, and gave maximum laccase activity of 820 U/ml with 1 mM concentration. Thus, this strain could be an efficient and attractive source for laccase production.     

Fermentation strategies for improved heterologous expression of laccase in Pichia pastoris

Improved expression of recombinant laccase by Pichia pastoris carrying the lcc1 cDNA isolated from Trametes versicolor was achieved by optimization of the cultivation conditions in a fermentor equipped with a methanol sensor system. The results indicated that the activity obtained in fermentor cultivations was at least 7 times higher than in shake-flask cultures. Three different strategies for fermentor cultivations were compared: A (30 degrees C, 1.0% methanol), B (20 degrees C, 1.0% methanol), and C (20 degrees C, 0.5% methanol). The laccase activity, particularly the specific activity, could be improved by decreasing the cultivation temperature. The mechanisms behind the temperature effect on the laccase activity may be ascribed to poor stability, release of more proteases from dead cells, and folding problems at higher temperature. The results showed that the methanol concentration had a marked effect on the production of active heterologous laccase. A fivefold higher volumetric laccase activity was obtained when the methanol concentration was kept at 0.5% instead of 1.0%. The detrimental effect of methanol on the production of recombinant laccase may be attributed to lower laccase stability, a higher proteolytic activity, and folding problems due to higher growth rate at 1.0% methanol.     

Degradation of bisphenol A by purified laccase from Trametes villosa

Degradation of bisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine-disrupting chemical, was studied with a purified laccase from the basidiomycete Trametes villosa. SDS--polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the purified laccase gave one single band with a mobility corresponding to MW 65 kDa. The absorption spectrum showed the characteristics of a blue copper protein with a maximum peak at 600 nm. HPLC analysis revealed that 2.2 micromol BPA were degraded by incubation with 1.5 units of the purified laccase in a total volume of 1.0 ml at pH 6.0 and 60 degrees C for 3 h. The enzyme reaction proceeded rapidly without requirement of mediators for the electron transfer. Isolation and identification of several reaction products are in progress, in which one product was identified as 4-isopropenylphenol by a gas chromatography--mass spectrophotometer.     

Removal of estrogenic activity from endocrine-disrupting chemicals by purified laccase of Phlebia tremellosa

A white-rot basidiomycete, Phlebia tremellosa, produced a laccase that showed increased activity during degradation of phthalates. A laccase was purified through the ion exchange chromatography and preparative gel electrophoresis, and the estimated molecular weight was 75 kDa. The optimum pH and temperature of the purified laccase was pH 4.0 and 20 degrees C, respectively. The K(m) value of the enzyme was 55.7 microM, and the V(max) was 0.0541 OD min(-1) U(-1) for o-tolidine. Purified laccase reduced the estrogenic activity of four different endocrine-disrupting chemicals. However, this effect was reduced by a laccase inhibitor, kojic acid, which confirmed that the laccase was involved in the removal of estrogenic activity.     

Isolation of Azospirillum lipoferum 4T Tn5 Mutants Affected in Melanization and Laccase Activity

Azospirillum lipoferum 4T has original properties such as nonmotility, melanin synthesis, and laccase activity. Following random Tn5 mutagenesis in A. lipoferum 4T, we obtained 10 mutants which were affected in melanization and laccase activity. The class 1 mutants, with intermediate levels of laccase activity, showed some coloration; the class 2 mutants, which were completely negative for laccase activity, were also colorless. The Tn5 localization on the chromosome or on the cryptic 300-MDa plasmid of A. lipoferum 4T was proven by hybridization for all class 1 mutants or for most class 2 mutants, respectively.     

应用Coriolus vericolor 菌丝球脱色染料及印染废水的研究

对白腐真菌（Coriolus vericolor）产生漆酶进行了研究。发现该菌产漆酶的最适初始pH值为4．5。提高微量元素浓度或添加藜芦醇都可使C.versiclor的产酶能力增加,添加Tween80会有一定的抑制作用。采用C.versicolor菌丝球进行重复分批产酶试验,结果表明菌丝球的稳定性很好,同一批菌丝球可连续利用14次,平均每批酶活力可保持在6．72U／mL,产酶能力优于聚氨酯泡沫固定化菌丝。将粗酶液用要料的脱色降解试验,在酶活力为3．3IU／mL,酸性橙浓度为500mg/L条件下,经过24h反应,脱色率达到98．5％;对含弱酸大红和卡布龙红的印染废水进行脱色试验,脱色率也达到了93％。