Characterization of an extracellular laccase, PbLac1, purified from Polyporus brumalis

Polyporus brumalis (strain ibrc05015) secreted high amounts of laccases (Lacs) in liquid medium. With 2,2-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) as a substrate, Lac activity was 7.72 U ml⁻¹ and this strain secreted a maximum 0.23 mg ml⁻¹ of total protein. The enzyme, PbLac1 was purified to homogeneity using hydrophobic and anion-exchange chromatography. The purified PbLac1 had a molecular mass of 63.4 kDa as determined by polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis. PbLac1 oxidized a wide range of substrates such as 3,4-dihydroxy l-phenylalanine (l-DOPA) and catechol, but not tysorine. The activity of PbLac1 was increased by addition of 10.0 mM Cu²⁺. PbLac1 could decolorize several industrial dyes, such as Remazol Brilliant Blue R known as model dyes of environmental xenobiotics. In addition, PbLac1 decolorized a wide range of substrates, such as the carcinogen, Poly R-478, in the presence of violuric acid as mediator. The E^° value of PbLac1 was 0.80 V ± 0.01 versus normal hydrogen electrode, which is a very high redox potential compared to those of other basidiomycetous Lacs. These results suggest the potential utility of PbLac1 for industrial applications.