Lignin-modifying enzymes from selected white-rot fungi: production and role from in lignin degradation

Abstract: White-rot fungi produce extracellular lignin-modifying enzymes, the best characterized of which are laccase (EC 1.10.3.2), lignin peroxidases (EC 1.11.1.7) and manganese peroxidases (EC 1.11.1.7). Lignin biodegradation studies have been carried out mostly using the white-rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium which produces multiple isoenzymes of lignin peroxidase and manganese peroxidase but does not produce laccase. Many other white-rot fungi produce laccase in addition to lignin and manganese peroxidases and in varying combinations. Based on the enzyme production patterns of an array of white-rot fungi, three categories of fungi are suggested: (i) lignin-manganese peroxidase group (e.g. P. chrysosporium and Phlebia radiata ), (ii) manganese peroxidase-laccase group (e.g. Dichomitus squalens and Rigidoporus lignosus ), and (iii) lignin peroxidase-laccase group (e.g. Phlebia ochraceofulva and Junghuhnia separabilima ). The most efficient lignin degraders, estimated by ¹⁴CO₂ evolution from ¹⁴C-[Ring]-labelled synthetic lignin (DHP), belong to the first group, whereas many of the most selective lignin-degrading fungi belong to the second, although only moderate to good [¹⁴C]DHP mineralization is obtained using fungi from this group. The lignin peroxidase-laccase fungi only poorly degrade [¹⁴C]DHP.     

Purification of pyranose oxidase from the white rot fungus Irpex lacteus and its cooperation with laccase in lignin degradation

Laccase and peroxidases mainly cause polymerization of lignin in vitro due to the random coupling of the phenoxy radicals or quinoid intermediates. White rot fungi may avoid polymerization in vivo by reduction of these intermediates. Pyranose oxidase is suggested to play such a role based on its quinone-reducing activity, but direct evidence has been lacking. In this study, a pyranose oxidase was purified from the white rot fungus Irpex lacteus and partially characterized. The enzyme is composed of four subunits of 71 kDa as determined by SDS-PAGE. It exhibits maximum activity at pH 6.5 and 55 °C and is rather stable. d-glucose is the preferred substrate, but d-galactose, l-sorbose and d-xylose are also readily oxidized. In addition to O₂, the enzyme can also transfer electrons to various quinones and the ABTS [2,2′-azinobis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)] cation radical. Laccase-generated quinoids are also reduced by the enzyme. Four different technical lignins were treated with laccase with and without pyranose oxidase. Subsequent gel permeation chromatography analysis demonstrated that the pyranose oxidase efficiently inhibited the polymerization of lignin caused by laccase and even brought about degradation.     

Novel heme-containing enzyme possibly involved in lignin degradation by the white-rot fungus Junghuhnia separabilima

Abstract The white-rot fungus Junghuhnia separabilima (Pouz.)Ryv, showed high levels of laccase production in cultures supplemented with veratric acid. Laccase, lignin peroxidase and an unknown peroxidase were separated from the extracellular culture fluid using anion-exchange FPLC. Three laccase species, three lignin peroxidases and a novel heme-containing protein were characterized by gel electrophoresis and isoelectric focusing. The new hemoprotein has a molecular mass of 44 kDa, isoelectric point of 3,4 and pH optimum of 5.5 for oxidation of o -dianisidine in the presence of H₂O₂. However it oxidised diaminobenzidine and guaiacol in the absence of H₂O₂. Veratryl alcohol and phenol red were not substratesfor this enzyme with or without addition of H₂O₂ and Mn(II). In addition the enzyme did not produce H₂O₂.     

Phenolic removal of olive-mill dry residues by laccase activity of white-rot fungi and its impact on tomato plant growth

We studied the influence of the laccase activity of two white-rot fungi on the toxic effect of water-soluble substances from dry residues of olives (ADOR) on tomato plants. Pycnoporus cinnabarinus and Coriolopsis rigida decreased the phenol content of ADOR to 73% after 15 days. P. cinnabarinus and C. rigida produced laccase activity after 5 and 15 days, respectively, and the highest activity in both fungi was detected at 20 days. The treatment of ADOR with these white-rot fungi decreased the phytotoxicity of this residue on tomato plants. A close relationship was found between the amount of laccase produced, the decrease in phenol content of ADOR by the saprobic fungi, decrease of phytotoxicity of ADOR, and the increase in dry weight of tomato plants. These results show that phenol removal by the laccase activity of white-rot fungi can be important in the elimination of phytotoxic substances present in olive-mill dry residues.     

Modification of wheat straw lignin by solid state fermentation with white-rot fungi

The potential of crude enzyme extracts, obtained from solid state cultivation of four white-rot fungi (Trametes versicolor, Bjerkandera adusta, Ganoderma applanatum and Phlebia rufa), was exploited to modify wheat straw cell wall. At different fermentation times, manganese-dependent peroxidase (MnP), lignin peroxidase (LiP), laccase, carboxymethylcellulase (CMCase), avicelase, xylanase and feruloyl esterase activities were screened and the content of lignin as well as hydroxycinnamic acids in fermented straw were determined. All fungi secreted feruloyl esterase while LiP was only detected in crude extracts from B. adusta. Since no significant differences (P > 0.05) were observed in remaining lignin content of fermented straw, LiP activity was not a limiting factor of enzymatic lignin removal process. The levels of esterified hydroxycinnamic acids degradation were considerably higher than previous reports with lignocellulosic biomass. The data show that P. rufa, may be considered for more specific studies as higher ferulic and p-coumaric acids degradation was observed for earlier incubation times.     

Production of phenol-oxidizing enzymes in the interaction between white-rot fungi

The role of the phenol-oxidizing enzymes, laccase and peroxidase, was examined in the fungus-to-fungus interaction in dual cultures. Among five white-rot fungi, the following predominance in competition was observed: Pleurotus ostreatus > Trametes versicolor ≧ Pycnoporus coccineus > Ganoderma applanatum > Schizophyllum commune. Both phenol-oxidizing enzyme activities were detected markedly at the confrontation region, and under the mycelia growing over other colonies more than in other areas of the dual culture. This property was most notably observed in the P. ostreatus cultures. The fungi that produce superior active phenol-oxidizing enzymes were predominant in the competition between confronting fungi, indicating that phenol-oxidizing enzymes relate to fungus-to-fungus interaction.     

Lignin peroxidase is involved in the biobleaching of manganese-less oxygen-delignified hardwood kraft pulp by white-rot fungi in the solid-fermentation system

Biobleaching of manganese-less oxygen-delignified hardwood kraft pulp (E-OKP) by the white-rot fungi Phanerochaete sordida YK-624 and P. chrysosporium was examined in the solid-state fermentation system. P. sordida YK-624 possessed a higher brightening activity than P. chrysosporium, increasing pulp brightness by 13.4 points after seven days of treatment. In these fermentation systems, lignin peroxidase (LiP) activity was detected as the principle ligninolytic enzyme, and manganese peroxidase and laccase activities were scarcely detected over the course of treatment of E-OKP by either fungus. Moreover, a linear relationship between brightness increase and cumulative LiP activity was observed under all tested culture conditions with P. sordida YK-624 and P. chrysosporium. These results indicated that LiP is involved in the brightening of E-OKP by both white-rot fungi.     

Catabolism of 1,2-diarylethane lignin model compounds by two brown-rot fungi

The catabolism of dimethoxybenzil, anisoin and hydroanisoin in nitrogen-limited stationary cultures of the brown-rot fungi Wolfiporia cocos and Gloeophyllum trabeum was analyzed. These three 1,2-diarylethane lignin model compounds, which differ in the degree of oxidation of the alkylic chain, gave rise to p-anisaldehyde in both cultures, suggesting that cleavage between the two aliphatic carbons had occurred. In turn, both strains reduced dimethoxybenzil and anisoin to hydroanisoin, whereas only Wolfiporia cocos was able to oxidize hydro-anisoin to anisoin. On the other hand, chemically derived hydroxyl radical, but not superoxide radical, produced p-anisaldehyde plus other unidentified compounds from anisoin and hydroanisoin. Neither radical modified dimethoxybenzil significantly.Abbreviations HGLN high glucose, low nitrogen - HGHN high glucose, high nitrogen - HPLC high performance liquid chromatography - TLC thin layer chromatography - A anisoin - HA hydroanisoin - DMB dimethoxybenzil - OH Hydroxyl radical - O _inf2 ^sup- superoxide radical     

Effect of copper,nutrient nitrogen,and wood-supplement on the production of lignin-modifying enzymes by the white-rot fungus Phlebia radiata

Production of the oxidoreductive lignin-modifying enzymes – lignin and manganese peroxidases (MnPs), and laccase – of the white-rot basidiomycete Phlebia radiata was investigated in semi-solid cultures supplemented with milled grey alder or Norway spruce and charcoal. Concentrations of nutrient nitrogen and Cu-supplement varied also in the cultures. According to extracellular activities, production of both lignin peroxidase (LiP) and MnP was significantly promoted with wood as carbon source, with milled alder (MA) and low nitrogen (LN) resulting with the maximal LiP activities (550 nkat l⁻¹) and noticeable levels of MnP (3 μkat l⁻¹). Activities of LiP and MnP were also elevated on high nitrogen (HN) complex medium when supplemented with spruce and charcoal. Maximal laccase activities (22 and 29 μkat l⁻¹) were obtained in extra high nitrogen (eHN) containing defined and complex media supplemented with 1.5 mM Cu²⁺. However, the nitrogen source, either peptone or ammonium nitrate and asparagine, caused no stimulation on laccase production without Cu-supplement. This is also the first report to demonstrate a new, on high Cu²⁺ amended medium produced extracellular laccase of P. radiata with pI value of 4.9, thereby complementing our previous findings on gene expression, and cloning of a second laccase of this fungus.     

The importance of phenol oxidase activity in lignin degradation by the white-rot fungus Sporotrichum pulverulentum

The lignin degradation abilities of wildtype, a phenol oxidase-less mutant and a phenol oxidase-positive revertant of Sporotrichum pulverulentum were compared to determine if phenol oxidase activity is necessary for lignin degradation by white-rot fungi. The phenol oxidase-less mutant was unable to degrade kraft lignin or wood. The phenol oxidase-positive revertant, however, regained the ability of the wildtype to degrade kraft lignin and all of the major components of wood. It was found that kraft lignin and lignin-related phenols decreased cellulase and xylanase production by the phenol oxidase-less mutant. Addition of highly purified laccase increased the production of endo-1,4--glucanase in the phenol oxidase-less mutant in the presence of vanillic acid and kraft lignin. After addition of laccase to kraft lignin agar plates, the phenol oxidase-less mutant could degrade kraft lignin.It is proposed that phenol oxidase function in regulating the production of both lignin-and polysaccharide-degrading enzymes by oxidation of lignin and lignin-related phenols when S. pulverulentum is growing on wood.Abbreviation WT wildtype Sporotrichum pulverulentum Research supported by a grant from Stiftelsen Nils and Dorthi Troëdssons forskningsfond     

Discovery and characterization of new O-methyltransferase from the genome of the lignin-degrading fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium for enhanced lignin degradation

Using bioinformatic homology search tools, this study utilized sequence phylogeny, gene organization and conserved motifs to identify members of the family of O-methyltransferases from lignin-degrading fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium. The heterologous expression and characterization of O-methyltransferases from P. chrysosporium were studied. The expressed protein utilized S-(5′-adenosyl)-l-methionine p-toluenesulfonate salt (SAM) and methylated various free-hydroxyl phenolic compounds at both meta and para site. In the same motif, O-methyltransferases were also identified in other white-rot fungi including Bjerkandera adusta, Ceriporiopsis (Gelatoporia) subvermispora B, and Trametes versicolor. As free-hydroxyl phenolic compounds have been known as inhibitors for lignin peroxidase, the presence of O-methyltransferases in white-rot fungi suggested their biological functions in accelerating lignin degradation in white-rot basidiomycetes by converting those inhibitory groups into non-toxic methylated phenolic ones.     

Influence of the enzyme equipment of white-rot fungi on the patterns of wood degradation

Abstract: In recent years a considerable amount of data have accumulated concerning the principal enzymes involved in wood decay by white-rot fungi and about their biochemical mechanism of action. Various strains of fungi and their mutants having different enzyme production were selected and the patterns of degradation resulting from their action on wood were examined by transmission electron microscopy. A correlation between the nature of the enzymes and the micromorphology of degradation was tentatively established based on a comparison between the respective patterns created by a wild-type strain and metabolic mutants in which a known activity was either enhanced or repressed. Results are illustrated with Phanerochaete chrysosporium, Dichomitus squalens and Phlebia radiata . In particular, the strong ability of manganese peroxidase and laccase to perform defibrillation of cellulose microfibrils is evidenced.     

Novel thermotolerant laccases produced by the white-rot fungus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Physisporinus rivulosus</Emphasis>

The white-rot basidiomycete Physisporinus rivulosus strain T241i is highly selective for degradation of softwood lignin, which makes this fungus suitable for biopulping. In order to promote laccase production, P. rivulosus was cultivated in nutrient-nitrogen sufficient liquid media containing either charcoal or spruce sawdust as supplements. Two laccases with distinct pI values, Lac-3.5 and Lac-4.8, were purified from peptone-spruce sawdust-charcoal cultures of P. rivulosus. Both laccases showed thermal stability at up to 60°C. Lac-4.8 was thermally activated at 50°C. Surprisingly, both laccases displayed atypically low pH optima (pH 3.0–3.5) in oxidation of the commonly used laccase substrates syringaldazine (4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxybenzaldehyde azine), 2,6-dimethoxyphenol and guaiacol (2-methoxyphenol). Steady-state kinetic measurements pointed to unusually low affinity to guaiacol at low pH, whereas the kinetic constants for the methoxyphenols and ABTS were within the ranges reported for other fungal laccases. The combination of thermotolerance with low pH optima for methoxylated phenol substrates suggests that the two P. rivulosus T241i laccases possess potential for use in biotechnological applications.     

Biodecolourisation of some industrial dyes by white-rot fungi

Eight white-rot fungal strains were screened for biodecolourisation of eight dyes commercially employed in various industries. Decolourisation of Poly R 478 was used as a standard to ascertain the dye-decolourisation potential of various fungi. All the fungi tested significantly decolourised Poly R 478 on solid agar medium. When tested in a nitrogen-limited broth medium, Dichomitus squalens, Irpex flavus, Phlebia spp. and Polyporus sanguineus were better industrial dye decolourisers than Phanerochaete chrysosporium.     

三种重要木质素降解酶研究进展

就三种重要木质素降解酶：LiP、MnP和漆酶在自然界的分布,化学组成、结构特征、降解机制、分子生物学等进行综述,并探讨了其作用协同性。     

Enzymatic degradation of mould stains on paper analysed by colorimetry and DRIFT-IR spectroscopy

Melanin is chemically and by physical characteristics very similar to lignin, a major constituent of wood, and therefore ligninolytic enzymes of white-rot fungi were tested for their ability to selectively degrade melanin. Melanin degradation was studied both in liquid suspensions of melanin and on melaninised paper samples. Liquid suspension samples were tested for changes in their chemical composition (appearance and relative representation of functional groups and chemical bonds) with FTIR spectrometry. Changes in colour of melaninised paper samples were investigated with a colorimeter. Effectiveness of the treatment (bleaching) was determined as a change in lightness (ΔL). Melanin was oxidised in the liquid suspensions, and the intensity of modification varied depending on the procedure employed. The most pronounced changes in melanin were observed in laccase-1-hydroxybenzotriazole (HBT) treatment at heightened air pressure. The most prominent discoloration of the melaninised paper samples (and no visually detectable damage to the integrity of the paper) was, like in the case of the liquid suspensions, observed after laccase-HBT treatment.     

Cloning and sequencing of a second laccase gene from the white-rot fungus Coriolus versicolor

A second laccase gene, CVLG1, was isolated from Coriolus versicolor. CVLG1 encodes a precursor protein of 526 amino acids which contains a 23-amino acid signal sequence, and the coding region is interrupted by 11 introns. The number of potential N-glycosylation sites in this product is 12 and the greatest among that of polyporales laccases. Moreover, this protein shares about 70% homology with other polyporales laccases. Genomic Southern analysis showed that C. versicolor laccases are encoded by more than four genes including CVLG1 and a transposed allele of this gene.     

Cloning and heterologous expression of two aryl-aldehyde dehydrogenases from the white-rot basidiomycete Phanerochaete chrysosporium

We identified two aryl-aldehyde dehydrogenase proteins (PcALDH1 and PcALDH2) from the white-rot basidiomycete Phanerochaete chrysosporium. Both PcALDHs were translationally up-regulated in response to exogenous addition of vanillin, one of the key aromatic compounds in the pathway of lignin degradation by basidiomycetes. To clarify the catalytic functions of PcALDHs, we isolated full-length cDNAs encoding these proteins and heterologously expressed the recombinant enzymes using a pET/Escherichia coli system. The open reading frames of both PcALDH1 and PcALDH2 consisted of 1503 nucleotides. The deduced amino acid sequences of both proteins showed high homologies with aryl-aldehyde dehydrogenases from other organisms and contained ten conserved domains of ALDHs. Moreover, a novel glycine-rich motif “GxGxxxG” was located at the NAD⁺-binding site. The recombinant PcALDHs catalyzed dehydrogenation reactions of several aryl-aldehyde compounds, including vanillin, to their corresponding aromatic acids. These results strongly suggested that PcALDHs metabolize aryl-aldehyde compounds generated during fungal degradation of lignin and various aromatic xenobiotics.