Oligomeric compounds formed from 2,5-xylidine (2,5-dimethylaniline) are potent enhancers of laccase production in Trametes versicolor ATCC 32745

Numerous chemicals, including the xenobiotic 2,5-xylidine, are known to induce laccase production in fungi. The present study was conducted to determine whether the metabolites formed from 2,5-xylidine by fungi could enhance laccase activity. We used purified laccases to transform the chemical and then we separated the metabolites, identified their chemical structure and assayed their effect on enzyme activity in liquid cultures of Trametes. versicolor. We identified 13 oligomers formed from 2,5-xylidine. (4E)-4-(2,5-dimethylphenylimino)-2,5-dimethylcyclohexa-2,5-dienone at 1.25×10^–5 M was an efficient inducer, resulting in a nine-fold increase of laccase activity after 3 days of culture. Easily synthesized in one step (67% yield), this compound could be used in fungal bioreactors to obtain a great amount of laccases for biochemical or biotechnological purposes, with a low amount of inducer.     

Molecular docking and dynamics simulation analyses unraveling the differential enzymatic catalysis by plant and fungal laccases with respect to lignin biosynthesis and degradation

Laccase, widely distributed in bacteria, fungi, and plants, catalyzes the oxidation of wide range of compounds. With regards to one of the important physiological functions, plant laccases are considered to catalyze lignin biosynthesis while fungal laccases are considered for lignin degradation. The present study was undertaken to explain this dual function of laccases using in-silico molecular docking and dynamics simulation approaches. Modeling and superimposition analyses of one each representative of plant and fungal laccases, namely, Populus trichocarpa and Trametes versicolor, respectively, revealed low level of similarity in the folding of two laccases at 3D levels. Docking analyses revealed significantly higher binding efficiency for lignin model compounds, in proportion to their size, for fungal laccase as compared to that of plant laccase. Residues interacting with the model compounds at the respective enzyme active sites were found to be in conformity with their role in lignin biosynthesis and degradation. Molecular dynamics simulation analyses for the stability of docked complexes of plant and fungal laccases with lignin model compounds revealed that tetrameric lignin model compound remains attached to the active site of fungal laccase throughout the simulation period, while it protrudes outwards from the active site of plant laccase. Stability of these complexes was further analyzed on the basis of binding energy which revealed significantly higher stability of fungal laccase with tetrameric compound than that of plant. The overall data suggested a situation favorable for the degradation of lignin polymer by fungal laccase while its synthesis by plant laccase.     

Comparative Studies of Extracellular Fungal Laccases

Various basidiomycetes, ascomycetes, and deuteromycetes, grown in a sugar-rich liquid medium, were compared for laccase-producing ability and for the inducing effect of 2,5-xylidine on laccase production. Clear stimulation of the extracellular enzyme formation by xylidine was obtained in the cultures of Fomes annosus, Pholiota mutabilis, Pleurotus ostreatus, and Trametes versicolor, whereas Rhizoctonia praticola and Botrytis cinerea were not affected by the xylidine, and in the case of Podospora anserina a decrease in laccase activity was observed. The laccases were purified, and electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gels indicated a particular pattern for each laccase. The bands of the induced forms appeared only with basidiomycetes. The optimal pH of R. praticola laccase was in the neutral region, whereas the optima of all the other exolaccases were significantly lower (between pH 3.0 and 5.7). All laccases oxidized the methoxyphenolic acids under investigation, but there existed quantitative differences in oxidation efficiencies which depended on pH and on the nature (noninduced or induced) of the enzyme. The sensitivity of all enzymes to inhibitors did not differ considerably.     

Expression of laccase IIIb from the white-rot fungus Trametes versicolor in the yeast Yarrowia lipolytica for environmental applications

Improvement of the catalytic properties of fungal laccases is a current challenge for the efficient bioremediation of natural media polluted by xenobiotics. We developed the heterologous expression of a laccase from the white-rot fungus Trametes versicolor in the yeast Yarrowia lipolytica as a first step for enzyme evolution. The full-length cDNA consisted of a 1,561-bp open reading frame encoding lacIIIb, a 499-amino-acid protein and a 21-amino-acid signal peptide. Native and yeast secretion signals were used to direct the secretion of the enzyme, with the native signal yielding higher enzyme activity in the culture medium. The level of laccase activity secreted by the transformed yeast was similar to that observed for the non-induced wild-type strain of T. versicolor. The identity of the recombinant enzyme was checked by Western blot and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight analysis. Electrophoresis separation in native conditions indicated a molecular mass of the recombinant protein slightly higher (5 kDa) than that of the mature T. versicolor laccase IIIb, suggesting a limited excess of glycosylation. The laccase production level reached 2.5 mg/l (0.23 units/ml), which is suitable for engineering purpose.The two first authors have contributed equally to this work.     

Detection,quantification and identification of fungal extracellular laccases using polyclonal antibody and mass spectrometry

This study presents a combined method to analyze extracellular fungal laccases using a new anti-laccase antibody together with the identification of tryptic laccase peptides by mass spectrometry (nanoLC–ESI–MS/MS). The polyclonal anti-laccase antibody LccCbr2 was raised against peptides designed from the copper binding region II of fungal laccases using in silico data obtained from GenBank database. As a consequence, detection requires denaturation of the enzymes due to the stable conformation of the copper binding region II. The specificity of the antibody was shown with denatured laccase Lcc1 of Coprinopsis cinerea and laccase of Hypholoma fasciculare. LccCbr2 detected amounts as low as 5 ng of highly purified laccase, indicating a possible use of the antibody for quantification of laccase proteins. Denatured extracellular laccases from culture supernatants of the basidiomycetes C. cinerea, H. fasciculare, Lentinula edodes, Mycena sp., Piriformospora indica, Pleurotus cornucopiae, Pleurotus ostreatus, Pycnoporus cinnabarinus, Trametes versicolor and furthermore the ascomycete Verpa conica were detected with apparent molecular masses between 60 and 70 kDa by LccCbr2. The identity of extracellular laccases from C. cinerea, H. fasciculare, P. ostreatus, P. cinnabarinus and T. versicolor were verified by tryptic peptides using nanoLC–ESI–MS/MS.     

Development of printable bioactive paper containing laccase

Compatibility of Trametes versicolor and Trametes hirsuta laccases was studied with polymers used for flexographic inks. The aim was to produce bioactive paper with ability to change color. Optimum pH for the stability of Trametes versicolor and Trametes hirsuta laccases was determined during storage at room temperature for 60 days. The optimum pH for the stability of both laccases was 8–9. The stabilization effect of flexo printing inks on the enzymes was tested in liquid form and when coated on paper. Sulfo polyester resin HZ1100D stabilized the two laccases both in solution and on paper. For example, Trametes versicolor laccase remained stable for at least 8 weeks when coated with HZ1100D polymer. Furthermore, the adsorption of the flexo inks to cellulose was studied with quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D). It was observed that HZ1100D also adsorbs well on cellulose over a wide pH range. The results suggested that laccases are well suited to bioactive paper applications. Large scale manufacturing of bioactive paper products by flexo printing would be possible because of the compatibility of laccases with flexo inks.     

Crystal structure of a four-copper laccase complexed with an arylamine: insights into substrate recognition and correlation with kinetics

Laccases are multicopper oxidases that catalyze the oxidation of a wide range of phenols or arylamines, and their use in industrial oxidative processes is increasing. We purified from the white rot fungus Trametes versicolor a laccase that exists as five different isozymes, depending on glycosylation. The 2.4 A resolution structure of the most abundant isozyme of the glycosylated enzyme was solved. The four copper atoms are present, and it is the first crystal structure of a laccase in its active form. The crystallized enzyme binds 2,5-xylidine, which was used as a laccase inducer in the fungus culture. This arylamine is a very weak reducing substrate of the enzyme. The cavity enclosing 2,5-xylidine is rather wide, allowing the accommodation of substrates of various sizes. Several amino acid residues make hydrophobic interactions with the aromatic ring of the ligand. In addition, two charged or polar residues interact with its amino group. The first one is an histidine that also coordinates the copper that functions as the primary electron acceptor. The second is an aspartate conserved among fungal laccases. The purified enzyme can oxidize various hydroxylated compounds of the phenylurea family of herbicides that we synthesized. These phenolic substrates have better affinities at pH 5 than at pH 3, which could be related to the 2,5-xylidine binding by the aspartate. This is the first high-resolution structure of a multicopper oxidase complexed to a reducing substrate. It provides a model for engineering laccases that are either more efficient or with a wider substrate specificity.     

Biochemical and molecular characterization of Coriolopsis rigida laccases involved in transformation of the solid waste from olive oil production

Two laccase isoenzymes were purified and characterized from the basidiomycete Coriolopsis rigida during transformation of the water-soluble fraction of “alpeorujo” (WSFA), a solid residue derived from the olive oil production containing high levels of toxic compounds. Zymogram assays of laccases secreted by the fungus growing on WSFA and WSFA supplemented with glucose showed two bands with isoelectric points of 3.3 and 3.4. The kinetic studies of the two purified isoenzymes showed similar affinity on 2,6-dimethoxyphenol and 2,2′-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), used as phenolic and non-phenolic model substrate, respectively. The molecular mass of both proteins was 66 kDa with 9% N-linked carbohydrate. Physico-chemical properties of the purified laccases from media containing WSFA were similar to those obtained from medium with glucose as the main carbon source. In-vitro studies performed with the purified laccases revealed a 42% phenol reduction of WSFA, as well as changes in the molecular mass distribution. These findings indicate that these laccases are involved in the process of transformation, via polymerization by the oxidation of phenolic compounds present in WSFA. A single laccase gene, containing an open reading frame of 1,488 bp, was obtained in PCR amplifications performed with cDNA extracted from mycelia grown on WSFA. The product of the gene shares 90% identity (95% similarity) with a laccase from Trametes trogii and 89% identity (95% similarity) with a laccase from Coriolopsis gallica. This is the first report on purification and molecular characterization of laccases directly involved in the transformation of olive oil residues.     

Heterologous expression and structural characterization of two low pH laccases from a biopulping white-rot fungus Physisporinus rivulosus

The lignin-degrading, biopulping white-rot fungus Physisporinus rivulosus secretes several laccases of distinct features such as thermostability, extremely low pH optima and thermal activation for oxidation of phenolic substrates. Here we describe the cloning, heterologous expression and structural and enzymatic characterisation of two previously undescribed P. rivulosus laccases. The laccase cDNAs were expressed in the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris either with the native or with Saccharomyces cerevisiae α-factor signal peptide. The specific activity of rLac1 and rLac2 was 5 and 0.3 μkat/μg, respectively. However, mutation of the last amino acid in the rLac2 increased the specific laccase activity by over 50-fold. The recombinant rLac1 and rLac2 enzymes demonstrated low pH optima with both 2,6-dimethoxyphenol (2,6-DMP) and 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzathiazoline-6-sulfonate). Both recombinant laccases showed moderate thermotolerance and thermal activation at +60 °C was detected with rLac1. By homology modelling, it was deduced that Lac1 and Lac2 enzymes demonstrate structural similarity with the Trametes versicolor and Trametes trogii laccase crystal structures. Comparison of the protein architecture at the reducing substrate-binding pocket near the T1-Cu site indicated the presence of five amino acid substitutions in the structural models of Lac1 and Lac2. These data add up to our previous reports on laccase production by P. rivulosus during biopulping and growth on Norway spruce. Heterologous expression of the novel Lac1 and Lac2 isoenzymes in P. pastoris enables the detailed study of their properties and the evaluation of their potential as oxidative biocatalysts for conversion of wood lignin, lignin-like compounds and soil-polluting xenobiotics.     

Laccase induction in fungi and laccase/N-OH mediator systems applied in paper mill effluent

There has been increasing interest in extracellular enzymes from white rot fungi, such as lignin and manganese peroxidases, and laccases, due to their potential to degrade both highly toxic phenolic compounds and lignin. The optimum cultivation conditions for laccase production in semi-solid and liquid medium by Trametes versicolor, Trametes villosa, Lentinula edodes and Botrytis cinerea and the effects of laccase mediator system in E1 effluent were studied. The higher laccase activity (12756 U) was obtained in a liquid culture of T. versicolor in the presence of 1 mM of 2,5-xylidine and 0.4 mM copper salt as inducers. The effluent biotreatments were not efficient in decolorization with any fungal laccases studied. Maximum phenol reduction was approximately 23% in the absence of mediators from T. versicolor. The presence of 1-hydroxybenzotriazole did not increase phenol reduction. However, acetohydroxamic acid, which was not degraded by laccase, acted very efficiently on E1 effluent, reducing 70% and 73% of the total phenol and total organic carbon, respectively. Therefore, acetohydroxamic acid could be applied as a mediator for laccase bioremediation in E1 effluent.     

Efficient secretion of three fungal laccases from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and their potential for decolorization of textile industry effluent—A comparative study

Laccases are enzymes with a broad range of biotechnological applications and have, for example, the ability to oxidize many xenobiotics including synthetic dyes. In order to obtain an efficient laccase for the decolorization of dyes which spoil wastewater from the textile industry, genes encoding three various laccase enzymes were expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The expression of laccases from ascomycete Myceliophthora thermophila (MtL), and two basidiomycetes Trametes versicolor (TvL) and Trametes trogii (TtL) was optimized via selection of plasmids, promoters, media composition, and cultivation conditions. For the first time, the activity of the three secreted laccases was directly compared with the use of various substrates, including different dyes and a wastewater sample. A strong constitutive ADH1 promoter, minimal growth medium, optimized combination of copper and organic nitrogen source, and low cultivation temperature were shown to significantly increase the yields and relative activities of secreted laccases. Heterologous expression of three fungal laccases was successfully achieved in S. cerevisiae being the highest for MtL and the lowest for TvL. MtL, and particularly TtL, showed the decolorization capacity. This is the first report which compared decolorization of synthetic dyes and wastewater by several recombinant laccases and suggested MtL and TtL to be applicable in the ecofriendly enzymatic treatment of colored industry effluent. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 34:69–80, 2018     

Oxidation of the erythro and threo forms of the phenolic lignin model compound 1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-2-(2-methoxyphenoxy)-1,3-propanediol by laccases and model oxidants

Mixtures of equal amounts of the erythro and threo forms of the phenolic arylglycerol β-aryl ether 1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-2-(2-methoxyphenoxy)-1,3-propanediol were oxidized (i) with laccases from Trametes versicolor, Agaricus bisporus, Myceliophthora thermophila and Rhus vernicifera, (ii) with laccase-mediator systems consisting of T. versicolor laccase and ABTS or HBT, and (iii) with various model oxidants including cerium(IV) ammonium nitrate (CAN), lignin peroxidase, Fenton’s reagent, and lead(IV) tetraacetate (LTA). All the laccases exhibited a similar preferential degradation of the threo form. The mediator ABTS counteracted the threo preference of laccase, but the mediator HBT did not affect it. The outer-sphere model oxidants CAN and lignin peroxidase showed a preferential degradation of the threo form. LTA and Fenton’s reagent did not exhibit any stereo-preference. The results suggest that laccases of different origin, primary structure, and redox potential behave as typical outer-sphere oxidants in their interaction with the diastereomers of the arylglycerol β-aryl ether.     

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.     

Characterization of a gene encoding Trametes versicolor laccase A and improved heterologous expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by decreased cultivation temperature

Laccase can be used for enzymatic detoxification of lignocellulosic hydrolysates. A Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain with enhanced resistance to phenolic inhibitors and thereby improved ability to ferment lignocellulosic hydrolysates would presumably be obtained by heterologous expression of laccase. Sequencing of the cDNA for the novel laccase gene lcc2 from the lignin-degrading basidiomycete Trametes versicolor showed that it encodes an isoenzyme of 499 amino-acid residues preceded by a 21-residue signal peptide. By comparison with Edman degradation data, it was concluded that lcc2 encodes an isoenzyme corresponding to laccase A. The gene product of lcc2 displays 71% identity with the previously characterized T. versicolor lcc1 gene product. An alignment of laccase sequences revealed that the T. versicolor isoenzymes in general are more closely related to corresponding isoenzymes from other white-rot fungi than to the other T. versicolor isoenzymes. The multiplicity of laccase is thus a conserved feature of T. versicolor and related species of white-rot fungi. When the T. versicolor lcc2 cDNA was expressed in S. cerevisiae, the production of active enzyme was strongly dependent on the temperature. After 3 days of incubation, a 16-fold higher laccase activity was found when a positive transformant was kept at 19 °C instead of 28 °C. Similar experiments with Pichia pastoris expressing the T. versicolor laccase gene lcc1 also showed that the expression level was favoured considerably by lower cultivation temperature, indicating that the observation made for the S. cerevisiae expression system is of general significance. Received: 8 December 1998 / Received revision: 9 April 1999 / Accepted: 16 April 1999     

Structural and kinetic characterization of native laccases from Pleurotus ostreatus, Rigidoporus lignosus, and Trametes trogii

A comparative study has been performed on five native laccases purified from the three basidiomycete fungi Pleurotus ostreatus, Rigidoporus lignosus, and Trametes trogii to relate their different catalytic capacities to their structural properties. Spectroscopic absorption features and EPR spectra at various pH values of the five enzymes are very similar and typical of the blue oxidases. The analysis of the dependence of kinetic parameters on pH suggested that a histidine residue is involved in the binding of nonphenolic substrates, whereas both a histidine and an acidic residue may be involved in the binding of phenolic compounds. His and an Asp residue are indeed found at the bottom of a cavity which may be regarded as a suitable substrate channel for approaching to type 1 copper in the 3D homology models of the two laccases from Pleuorotus ostreatus (POXC and POXA1b) whose sequences are known.     

Enhanced production of laccase fromTrametes sp. by combination of various inducers

In this study, we have attempted to determine the optimum concentration of inducers responsible for efficient laccase production by the white-rot fungus,Trametes sp. Variations in laccase activity were investigated with changing concentrations of 2,5-xylidine, syringaldazine, ABTS, and guaiacol. Enhancement of peak laccase activity was achieved via the combination of 2,5-xylidine with ABTS, syringaldazine, or guaiacol, resulting in increases of up to 359, 313, and 340%, respectively, as compared to control values. Among the tested inducers, the addition of 0.1 mM of ABTS coupled with 1.0 mM of 2,5-xylidine in the medium after 24 h of cultivation proved optimal with regard to laccase enzyme production.     

Combinatorial evaluation of laccase-mediator system in the oxidation of veratryl alcohol

Laccases play an important role in the biological break down of lignin and have great potential in the deconstruction of lignocellulosic feedstocks. We examined 16 laccases, both commercially prepared and crude extracts, for their ability to oxidize veratryl alcohol in the presence of various solvents and mediators. Screening revealed complete conversion of veratryl alcohol to veratraldehyde catalyzed by a crude preparation of the laccase from Trametes versicolor ATCC 11235 and the mediator TEMPO in 20 % (v/v) tert-butanol.     

Reduction thermodynamics of the T1 Cu site in plant and fungal laccases

The thermodynamic parameters for reduction of the type-1 (T1) copper site in Rhus vernicifera and Trametes versicolor laccases and for the derivative of the former protein from which the type-2 copper has been selectively removed (T2D) have been determined with UV–vis spectroelectrochemistry. In all cases, the enthalpic term turns out to be the main determinant of the E ^o′ of the T1 site. Also the difference between the reduction potentials of the two laccases is enthalpy-based and reflects differences in the coordination features of the T1 sites and their protein environment. The T1 sites in native R. vernicifera laccase and its T2D derivative show the same E ^o′, as a result of compensatory differences in the reduction thermodynamics. This suggests that removal of the type-2 (T2) copper results in modification of the reduction-induced solvent reorganization effects, with no influence in the structure of the multicopper protein site. This conclusion is supported by NMR data recorded on the native, the T2D, and Hg-substituted T1 derivatives of R. vernicifera laccase, which show that the T1 and T2/T3 sites are largely noninteracting.     

Comparative characterization of four laccases from Trametes versicolor concerning phenolic C-C coupling and oxidation of PAHs

The laccase genes lccα, lccβ, lccγ and lccδ encoding four isoenzymes from Trametes versicolor have been cloned and expressed in Pichia pastoris. Biochemical characterization allowed classification of these laccases into two distinct groups: Lccα and Lccβ possessed higher thermal stability, but lower catalytic activity towards 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) compared to Lccγ and Lccδ. Activities of the laccases were quite different as well. Laccase Lccδ showed highest phenolic C-C coupling activity with sinapic acid, but lowest oxidizing activity towards polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Highest activity towards PAHs was observed with Lccβ. After 72 h, more than 80% of fluorene, anthracene, acenaphthene and acenaphthylene were oxidized by Lccβ in the presence of ABTS. Investigation of the structural basis of the different activities of the laccases demonstrated the impact of positions 164 and 265 in the substrate binding site on oxidation of PAHs.     

A protein from Pleurotus eryngii var. tuoliensis C.J. Mou with strong removal activity against the natural steroid hormone,estriol: Purification,characterization, and identification as a laccase

A protein with strong removal activity against the natural estrogen estriol was purified from a culture supernatant of Pleurotus eryngii var. tuoliensis C.J. Mou. The protein was characterized as a laccase and had a molecular mass of 60 kDa on SDS-PAGE. The enzyme was most active at pH 7.0 and 50 °C. The partial N-terminal amino acid sequence of the enzyme showed homology with laccases from mushrooms, such as Pleurotus ostreatus, Coriolus versicolor (current name: Trametes versicolor), Pycnoporus cinnabarinus, and P. eryngii. A recombinant yeast assay confirmed that laccase treatment was very efficient for removing the estrogenic activity of steroid estrogens. Our results suggest that the enzyme may be applicable as a potential factor for removing natural steroid hormones.