Occurrence of laccase and tyrosinase in fungi of agaricales and comparative study of laccase fromRussula delica andRussula pseudodelica

The activities of laccase and tyrosinase, that is, oxidation activities ofp-phenylenediamine andp-cresol in the fruiting bodies of species belonging to various genera of Agaricales were examined. Among 40 genera examined, appreciable laccase activities were observed in fungi belonging toLepista, Omphalina, Agaricus, Russula andLactarius. High typosinase activities were found in many species ofHygrophorus, Laccaria, Lepista, Melanoleuca, Collybia, Marasmius, Amanita, Agaricus, Inocybe, Pholiota, Russula andLactarius. Species of other genera exmained did not show either enzyme activities to any extent. FromRussula delica andRussula pseudodelica, laccases were extracted and purified, and some characteristics were compared. Molecular weight and absorption spectra of these laccases were very similar to each other, but they were different in electrophoretical mobilities and substrate specificity. This work was presented at the Annual Meeting of the Bot. Soc Japan in Oct. 1970 at Matsuyama.