Fungal laccases

Elucidating the enzymatic response of the white rot basidiomycete Abortiporus biennis for the downgrade of polystyrene

Plastic pollution is a growing global environmental concern, with polyolefins such as polyethylene and polypropylene, as well as polystyrene (PS) constituting a significant amount of plastic waste. Both polyolefins and PS, when inappropriately disposed of in the environment, contribute to environmental contamination since they degrade slowly, with both abiotic and biotic factors contributing to their downgrade. In terms of the microbial effect on plastics, in recent decades, several studies have focused on the biodeterioration and assimilation of polyolefins, while more comprehensive degradation of PS by diverse organisms, including bacteria, fungi, and even insect larvae, has been documented. The present study investigates the biocatalytic potential of the white-rot basidiomycete Abortiporus biennis LGAM 436 for PS degradation. Building on prior research, we examined the ability of this fungal strain to modify the structure of different PS forms, including commercial expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam and amorphous PS film. In addition, we explored the impact of olive oil mill wastewater (OOMW) effluent as an enzymatic inducer to enhance the degradation process. Through gel permeation chromatography (GPC), surface morphology changes, and FTIR-ATR analysis, we assessed the extent of PS degradation and identified relevant enzymatic activities via proteomics. The findings offer insights into the discovery of novel fungal biocatalysts for addressing plastic pollution, particularly through the action of high-redox oxidative enzymes.

Gap-free genome assembly and comparative analysis reveal the evolution and lignin degradation mechanisms of Cylindrobasidium torrendii

The Physalacriaceae family comprises numerous saprophytic edible and medicinal fungi with significant ecological and economic importance. However, the lack of high-quality genomic data has hindered systematic studies of this family. Here, we report the chromosome-level genome assembly of Cylindrobasidium torrendii, a species identified in China, using a combination of Illumina, PacBio HiFi, and Hi-C sequencing technologies. The 33.67 Mb genome, featuring a GC content of 52.00 %, demonstrates enhanced continuity and completeness. Phylogenetic analysis based on 1685 single-copy orthologous gene families places C. torrendii in close evolutionary proximity to Armillaria mellea and Gymnopus necrorhizus, with a divergence time of 112.39 Mya. Comparative genomics reveals conserved syntenic blocks between chromosomes of C. torrendii and those of Pleurotus ostreatus and Lentinula edodes. Gene family analysis identified 980 expanded and 487 contracted gene families, with expanded genes significantly enriched in secondary metabolite biosynthesis pathways. CAZyme, P450, and laccase gene family comparisons highlighted the evolutionary dynamics of these gene families in C. torrendii. Transcriptomic analysis under fungal dark stress revealed significant upregulation of genes such as CtoLAC7 and CAZymes (GH and CE families). This study provides a high-quality genomic resource and novel insights into the genetic and functional characteristics of C. torrendii and the Physalacriaceae family.

Biodecomposition with Phanerochaete chrysosporium: A review

Phanerochaete chrysosporium is considered the model fungus for white rot fungi. It is the first basidiomycete whose genome has been completely sequenced. Its importance lies in the fact that its enzymatic system comprises the major enzymes involved in lignin degradation. Lignin is a complex and highly recalcitrant compound that very few living organisms are capable of degrading naturally. On the other hand, the enzymes produced by P. chrysosporium are also powerful agents for the mineralization into CO2 and H2O of a wide range of aromatic compounds. However, these aromatic compounds are largely xenobiotic compounds with documented toxic effects on the environment and health. While the economic and environmental benefits of biodegradation with P. chrysosporium are well established, a thorough understanding of P. chrysosporium and its biodegradation processes is essential for successful biodegradation. Our aim of this critical literature review is to provide a concise and comprehensive insight of biodecomposition of organic substrate by P. chrysosporium.

In Vitro and Computational Response of Differential Catalysis by Phlebia brevispora BAFC 633 Laccase in Interaction with 2,4-D and Chlorpyrifos

Enzymes secreted by white rot fungi (WRF), such as laccase, offer a promising approach for the treatment of hazardous xenobiotic compounds. This study conducted a comprehensive analysis of the impact of the pesticides 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and chlorpyrifos on the laccase of Phlebia brevispora BAFC 633 through in vitro and bioinformatics analyses. The fungal strain was shown to be tolerant to both pesticides, with notable morphological and ultrastructural alterations in the mycelium. Laccase activity and two isoenzymes (53 and 70 kDa) were detected in all initial treatments. The laccase was concentrated for subsequent catalytic evaluation in the presence of both pesticides, showing high stability at a pH of 3.6 and a temperature range of 50-60 °C. The lacI gene, corresponding to this laccase, was modeled, and its structure revealed a defined catalytic pocket validated with a drug score of 0.61. Molecular docking estimated affinity energies of -5.06 and -9.41 Kcal mol-1 for 2,4-D and chlorpyrifos, respectively. Molecular Mechanics Poisson-Boltzmann Surface Area (MM/PBSA) analysis through 250 ns of molecular dynamics revealed stronger hydrophobic interactions of laccase with chlorpyrifos and highlighted the importance of residue His460 in stabilizing both complexes. Understanding the impact of these agrochemicals on the catalytic function of laccase is crucial for developing future biotechnological strategies involving this enzyme.

Laccase purification and azo dye decolorization potential of Sparassis latifolia

Sparassis latifolia often referred to as Cauliflower mushroom possess both medicinal and edibility values. In this research work, first time laccase purification and dye colourisation efficacy of Sparassis latifolia's purified laccase were assessed. Optimal laccase potential was noted after 12th day of incubation with 4 pH of medium at 45 °C. As supplementary nutritional source, sucrose and ammonium sulphate were unveiled as most effective synthetic carbon and nitrogen sources while wheat straw found as proficient lignocellulosic biomass for enhanced laccase production. Following optimisation of laccase production parameters, laccase was purified to 14.2 fold by ammonium sulphate precipitation, dialysis and anion exchange chromatography. Laccase molecular weight determined through SDS PAGE was found to be of 65 KDa. This purified laccase was tested for its ability to decolourise the Congo red at definite pH and temperature. It was found that this fungus has capability to decolourise up to 98.6% of Congo-red dye.

Catalytic function of the laccase enzyme in response to chlorpyrifos and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid: behavior in controlled and simulated environments

Enzymes secreted by white-rot fungi, such as laccase, offer a promising solution for treating xenobiotic compounds dangerous to the environment and human health. This study aimed to perform a comprehensive analysis of the tolerance of Pleurotus pulmonarius LBM 105 and its laccase activity toward the pesticides 2,4-D and chlorpyrifos both in vitro and in silico. The fungal strain was able to grow in different concentrations of the pesticides, showing evident morphological alterations. Laccase activity and a 53 kDa electromorph were present in all treatments, showing significant stability with peak activity achieved at a pH of 5.6 and within a temperature range of 50-60 °C. Three laccase genes were mapped, annotated, and characterized from the genome. PplacI obtained better structural validation and affinity energy of - 5.05 and - 7.65 kcal mol-1 with 2,4-D and chlorpyrifos, respectively. The Molecular Mechanics/Poisson-Boltzmann Surface Area analysis at 250 ns confirmed the docking results, revealing the existence of stronger hydrophobic interactions between laccase and chlorpyrifos and highlighting the importance of the Phe341 residue in stabilizing both complexes. Understanding the impact of pesticides on laccase's catalytic function is key to formulating and applying future biotechnological strategies with this enzyme.

Harnessing bio and (Photo)catalysts for microplastics degradation and remediation in soil environment

Soil pollution by microplastics (MPs) is an escalating environmental crisis with far-reaching consequences. However, current research on the degradation and/or remediation of MPs has mainly focused on water-simulated environments, with little attention given to soil MPs. Therefore, the review explores such terrestrial territory, exploring the potential of biodegradation and novel photocatalytic technologies for MPs degradation/remediation in soil. This review comprehensively investigates the potential of biological and photocatalytic approaches for soil MPs degradation and remediation. A temporal analysis of research from 2004 to 2024 highlights the increasing focus on this critical issue. The review explores the biocatalytic roles of diverse enzymes, including cutinase, PETase, MHETase, hydrolase, lipase, laccase, lignin peroxidase, and Mn-peroxidase, in MPs degradation. Strategies for enzyme engineering, such as protein engineering and immobilization, are explored to enhance catalytic efficiency. The potential for developing enzyme consortia for optimized MP degradation is also discussed. Photocatalytic remediation using TiO2, ZnO, clay, hydrogel, and other photocatalysts is examined, emphasizing their mechanisms and effectiveness. Computational modeling is proposed to deepen understanding of soil MPs-catalyst interactions, primarily aiming to develop novel catalysts tailored for soil environments for environmental safety and sustainable restoration. A comparative analysis of biological and photocatalytic approaches evaluates their environmental implications and the potential for synergistic combinations, with emphasis on soil quality protection, restoration and impact on soil ecosystems. Hence, this review accentuates the urgent need for innovative solutions to address MPs pollution in soil and provides a foundational understanding of the current knowledge gaps, as well as paves the way for future research and development.

Is Laccase derived from Pleurotus ostreatus effective in microplastic degradation? A critical review of current progress, challenges, and future prospects

Exploration of Pleurotus ostreatus as a biological agent in the degradation of persistent plastics like polyethylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, and polyethylene terephthalate, revealing a promising avenue toward mitigating the environmental impacts of plastic pollution. Leveraging the intrinsic enzymatic capabilities of this fungus, mainly its production of laccase, presents a sustainable and eco-friendly approach to breaking down complex polymer chains into less harmful constituents. This review focused on enhancements in the strain's efficiency through genetic engineering, optimized culture conditions, and enzyme immobilization to underscore the potential for scalability and practical application of this bioremediation process. The utilization of laccase from P. ostreatus in plastic waste management demonstrates a vital step forward in pursuing sustainable environmental solutions. By using the potential of fungal bioremediation, researchers can move closer to a future in which the adverse effects of plastic pollution are significantly mitigated, benefiting the health of our planet and future generations.

Fungal Laccases and Fumonisin Decontamination in Co-Products of Bioethanol from Maize

Maize (Zea mays L.) may be infected by Fusarium verticillioides and F. proliferatum, and consequently contaminated with fumonisins (FBs), as well as the co-products of bioethanol intended for animal feed. Laccase enzymes have a wide industrial application such as mycotoxin degradation. The aims were to isolate and identify fungal laccase-producing strains, to evaluate laccase production, to determine the enzymatic stability under fermentation conditions, and to analyse the effectiveness in vitro of enzymatic extracts (EEs) containing laccases in degrading FB1. Strains belonging to Funalia trogii, Phellinus tuberculosus, Pleurotus ostreatus, Pycnoporus sanguineus and Trametes gallica species showed laccase activity. Different isoforms of laccases were detected depending on the evaluated species. For the FB1 decontamination assays, four enzymatic activities (5, 10, 15 and 20 U/mL) were tested, in the absence and presence of vanillic acid (VA) and 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-N-oxyl (TEMPO) as redox mediators (1 and 10 mM). Trametes gallica B4-IMICO-RC EE was the most effective strain in buffer, achieving a 60% of FB1 reduction. Laccases included in EEs remained stable at different alcoholic degrees in maize steep liquor (MSL), but no significant FB1 reduction was observed under the conditions evaluated using MSL. This study demonstrate that although laccases could be good candidates for the development of a strategy to reduce FB1, further studies are necessary to optimise this process in MSL.

A systematic study on the characteristics and applications of laccases produced by fungi: insights on their potential for biotechnologies

Laccases are polyphenol oxidase enzymes and form the enzyme complex known for their role in wood decomposition and lignin degradation. The present study aimed to systematically review the state-of-the-art trends in scientific publications on laccase enzymes of the last 10 years. The main aspects checked included the laccase-producing fungal genera, the conditions of fungal growth and laccase production, the methods of immobilization, and potential applications of laccase. After applying the systematic search method 177 articles were selected to compound the final database. Although various fungi produce laccase, most studies were Trametes and Pleurotus genera. The submerged fermentation (SmF) has been the most used, however, the use of solid-state fermentation (SSF) appeared as a promising technique to produce laccase when using agro-industrial residues as substrates. Studies on laccase immobilization showed the covalent bonding and entrapment methods were the most used, showing greater efficiency of immobilization and a high number of enzyme reuses. The main use of the laccase was in bioremediation, especially in the discoloration of dyes from the textile industry and the degradation of pharmaceutical waste. Implications and consequences of all these findings in biotechnology and environment, as well as the trends and gaps of laccase research were discussed.

Smart controlled-release nanopesticides based on metal-organic frameworks

The practical utilization rates of conventional pesticide formulations by target organisms are very low, which results in the pollution of ecological environments and the formation of pesticide residues in agricultural products. Water-based nanopesticide formulations could become alternative and effective formulations to eventually resolve the main issues of conventional pesticide formulations. In this feature article, we describe the design concept of smart (stimuli-responsive) controlled-release nanopesticides, which are created toward hierarchical targets (pests, pathogens, and foliage) in response to multidimensional stimuli from physiological and environmental factors (such as sunlight) of target organisms and plants, for achieving enhanced insecticidal and fungicidal efficacies. The pore sizes and functionalities of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) can be fine-tuned through the choice of metal-containing units and organic ligands. Tailor-made MOF nanoparticles with large microporous or mesoporous sizes, as well as good biocompatibility and high thermal, mechanical, and chemical durabilities, are used to load pesticides within these pores followed by coating of plant polyphenols and natural polymers for stimuli-responsive controlled pesticide release. This feature article highlights our works on smart controlled-release MOF-based nanopesticides and also includes related works from other laboratories. The future challenges and promising prospects of smart controlled-release MOF-based nanopesticides are also discussed.

Laccase immobilization and its degradation of emerging pollutants: A comprehensive review

The chronic lack of effective disposal of pollutants has resulted in the detection of a wide variety of EPs in the environment, with concentrations high enough to affect ecological health. Laccase, as a versatile oxidase capable of catalyzing a wide range of substrates and without producing toxic by-products, is a potential candidate for the biodegradation of pollutants. Immobilization can provide favorable protection for free laccase, improve the stability of laccase in complex environments, and greatly enhance the reusability of laccase, which is significant in reducing the cost of industrial applications. This study introduces the properties of laccase and subsequently elaborate on the different support materials for laccase immobilization. The research advances in the degradation of EDs, PPCPs, and PAHs by immobilized laccase are then reviewed. This review provides a comprehensive understanding of laccase immobilization, as well as the advantages of various support materials, facilitating the development of more economical and efficient immobilization systems that can be put into practice to achieve the green degradation of EPs.

Production, purification, and characterization of p-diphenol oxidase (PDO) enzyme from lignolytic fungal isolate Schizophyllum commune MF-O5

Fungi are producers of lignolytic extracellular enzymes which are used in industries like textile, detergents, biorefineries, and paper pulping. This study assessed for the production, purification, and characterization of novel p-diphenol oxidase (PDO; laccase) enzyme from lignolytic white-rot fungal isolate. Fungi samples collected from different areas of Pakistan were initially screened using guaiacol plate method. The maximum PDO producing fungal isolate was identified on the basis of ITS (internal transcribed spacer sequence of DNA of ribosomal RNA) sequencing. To get optimum enzyme yield, various growth and fermentation conditions were optimized. Later PDO was purified using ammonium sulfate precipitation, size exclusion, and anion exchange chromatography and characterized. It was observed that the maximum PDO producing fungal isolate was Schizophyllum commune (MF-O5). Characterization results showed that the purified PDO was a monomeric protein with a molecular mass of 68 kDa and showed stability at lower temperature (30 °C) for 1 h. The Km and Vmax values of the purified PDO recorded were 2.48 mM and 6.20 U/min. Thermal stability results showed that at 30 °C PDO had 119.17 kJ/K/mol Ea value and 33.64 min half-life. The PDO activity was stimulated by Cu2+ ion at 1.0 mM showing enhanced activity up to 111.04%. Strong inhibition effect was noted for Fe2+ ions at 1 mM showing 12.04% activity. The enzyme showed stability against 10 mM concentration oxidizing reducing agents like DMSO, EDTA, H2O2, NaOCl, and urea and retained more than 75% of relative activity. The characterization of purified PDO enzyme confirmed its tolerance against salt, metal ions, organic solvents, and surfactants indicating its ability to be used in the versatile commercial applications.

Statistical Improvement of rGILCC 1 and rPOXA 1B Laccases Activity Assay Conditions Supported by Molecular Dynamics

Laccases (E.C. 1.10.3.2) are glycoproteins widely distributed in nature. Their structural conformation includes three copper sites in their catalytic center, which are responsible for facilitating substrate oxidation, leading to the generation of H2O instead of H2O2. The measurement of laccase activity (UL-1) results may vary depending on the type of laccase, buffer, redox mediators, and substrates employed. The aim was to select the best conditions for rGILCC 1 and rPOXA 1B laccases activity assay. After sequential statistical assays, the molecular dynamics proved to support this process, and we aimed to accumulate valuable insights into the potential application of these enzymes for the degradation of novel substrates with negative environmental implications. Citrate buffer treatment T2 (CB T2) (pH 3.0 ± 0.2; λ420nm, 2 mM ABTS) had the most favorable results, with 7.315 ± 0.131 UL-1 for rGILCC 1 and 5291.665 ± 45.83 UL-1 for rPOXA 1B. The use of citrate buffer increased the enzyme affinity for ABTS since lower Km values occurred for both enzymes (1.49 × 10-2 mM for rGILCC 1 and 3.72 × 10-2 mM for rPOXA 1B) compared to those obtained in acetate buffer (5.36 × 10-2 mM for rGILCC 1 and 1.72 mM for rPOXA 1B). The molecular dynamics of GILCC 1-ABTS and POXA 1B-ABTS showed stable behavior, with root mean square deviation (RMSD) values not exceeding 2.0 Å. Enzyme activities (rGILCC 1 and rPOXA 1B) and 3D model-ABTS interactions (GILCC 1-ABTS and POXA 1B-ABTS) were under the strong influence of pH, wavelength, ions, and ABTS concentration, supported by computational studies identifying the stabilizing residues and interactions. Integration of the experimental and computational approaches yielded a comprehensive understanding of enzyme-substrate interactions, offering potential applications in environmental substrate treatments.

Expression profiling of laccase and β-glucan synthase genes in Pleurotus ostreatus during different developmental stages

BACKGROUND

Pleurotus ostreatus, commonly known as the oyster mushroom, is a saprophytic fungus with many applications in biotechnology and medicine. This mushroom is a rich source of proteins, polysaccharides, and bioactive compounds that have been shown to possess anticancer, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties. In this study, we investigated the expression profile of laccase (POXA3) and β-glucan synthase (FKS) genes during different developmental stages in two strains of P. ostreatus.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Cultural and morphological studies of the two strains were studied. DMR P115 strain recorded faster mycelial growth compared to the HUC strain. However, both strains produced white, thick fluffy mycelial growth with radiating margin. Morphological characteristics of the mushroom fruiting body were also higher in the DMR P115 strain. The expression of these genes was analyzed using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) and the results were compared to those of the reference gene β-actin. The expression of laccase (POXA3) was higher in the mycelial stage of DMR P115 and HUC strains indicating its role in the fruiting body development and substrate degradation. The expression of β-glucan synthase (FKS) was upregulated in the mycelium and mature fruiting body of the DMR P115 strain. In contrast, there was only significant upregulation in the mycelial stage of the HUC strain, which indicates its role in cell wall formation and the immunostimulatory properties of that strain.

CONCLUSION

The results deepen the understanding of the molecular mechanism of the fruiting body development in P. ostreatus and can be used as a foundation for future lines of research related to strain improvement of P. ostreatus.

Systematic screening strategy for fungal laccase activity of endophytes from Otoba gracilipes with bioremediation potential

Fungal laccases are promising for biotechnological applications, including bioremediation and dye biotransformation, due to their high redox potential and broad substrate specificity. However, current bioprospecting methods for identifying laccase-producing fungi can be challenging and time-consuming. For early detection, it was developed a three-step, multi-criteria weighting system that evaluates fungal strains based on: First, the biotransformation capacity of three dyes (i.e., Congo red, brilliant blue G-250, and malachite green), at three different pH values, and with a relative weighting supported for the redox potential of each colorant. The relative decolorization coefficient (RDC), used as th2e first classification criterion, expressed their potential performance. Second, under the same conditions, laccase activity was estimated by observing the different degrees of oxidation of a given substrate. The selection criterion was the relative oxidation coefficient (ROC). Finally, laccase activity was quantified in submerged fermentations using three inducers (i.e., loofah sponge, Tween 80, and veratyl alcohol). This multicriteria screening strategy evaluated sixteen isolated endophytic fungal strains from Otoba gracilipes. The system identified Beltraniopsis sp. ET-17 (at pH values of 5.00 and 5.50) as a promising strain for dye biotransformation, and Phlebia floridensis as the best laccase producer, achieving a high activity of 116 μmol min-1 L-1 with loofah sponge as an inducer. In-vitro testing confirmed the efficacy of P. floridensis, with 53.61 % decolorization of a dye mixture (brilliant blue-Congo red. ratio 1:1) after 15 days of incubation. Thus, with the proposed screening strategy it was possible to highlight two species of interest at an early bioprospecting stage on a Colombian native tree poorly explored.

Genome-wide study of Cerrena unicolor 87613 laccase gene family and their mode prediction in association with substrate oxidation

BACKGROUND

Laccases are green biocatalysts with wide industrial applications. The study of efficient and specific laccase producers remains a priority. Cerrena species have been shown to be promising basidiomycete candidates for laccase production. Although two sets of Cerrena genome data have been publicly published, no comprehensive bioinformatics study of laccase gene family in C. unicolor has been reported, particularly concerning the analysis of their three-dimensional (3D) structures and molecular docking to substrates, like ABTS and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1).

RESULTS

In this study, we conducted a comprehensive genome-wide analysis of laccase gene family in C. unicolor 87613. We identified eighteen laccase genes (CuLacs) and classified them into three clades using phylogenetic analysis. We characterized these laccases, including their location in contig 5,6,9,12,15,19,26,27, gene structures of different exon-intron arrangements, molecular weight ranging from 47.89 to 141.41 kDa, acidic pI value, 5-15 conserved protein motifs, signaling peptide of extracellular secretion (harbored by 13 CuLacs) and others. In addition, the analysis of cis-acting element in laccase promoters indicated that the transcription response of CuLac gene family was regulatable and complex under different environmental cues. Furthermore, analysis of transcription pattern revealed that CuLac8, 12 and CuLac2, 13 were the predominant laccases in response to copper ions or oxidative stress, respectively. Finally, we focused on the 3D structure analysis of CuLac proteins. Seven laccases with extra transmembrane domains or special sequences were particularly interesting. Predicted structures of each CuLac protein with or without these extra sequences showed altered interacting amino acid residues and binding sites, leading to varied affinities to both ABTS and AFB1. As far as we know, it is the first time to discuss the influence of the extra sequence on laccase's affinity to substrates.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings provide robust genetic data for a better understanding of the laccase gene family in C. unicolor 87613, and create a foundation for the molecular redesign of CuLac proteins to enhance their industrial applications.

Laccase Engineering: Redox Potential Is Not the Only Activity-Determining Feature in the Metalloproteins

Laccase, one of the metalloproteins, belongs to the multicopper oxidase family. It oxidizes a wide range of substrates and generates water as a sole by-product. The engineering of laccase is important to broaden their industrial and environmental applications. The general assumption is that the low redox potential of laccases is the principal obstacle, as evidenced by their low activity towards certain substrates. Therefore, the primary goal of engineering laccases is to improve their oxidation capability, thereby increasing their redox potential. Even though some of the determinants of laccase are known, it is still not entirely clear how to enhance its redox potential. However, the laccase active site has additional characteristics that regulate the enzymes' activity and specificity. These include the electrostatic and hydrophobic environment of the substrate binding pocket, the steric effect at the substrate binding site, and the orientation of the binding substrate with respect to the T1 site of the laccase. In this review, these features of the substrate binding site will be discussed to highlight their importance as a target for future laccase engineering.

Biocatalytic characterization of Hericium erinaceus laccase isoenzymes for the oxidation of lignin derivative substrates

Mushroom laccases are biocatalysts that oxidize various substrates. To identify a novel enzyme involved in lignin valorization, we isolated and characterized laccase isoenzymes from the mushroom Hericium erinaceus. The laccase cDNAs (Lac1a and Lac1b) cloned from the mushroom mycelia consisted of 1536 bp and each encoded a protein with 511 amino acids, containing a 21-amino-acid signal peptide. Comparative phylogenetic analysis revealed high homology between the deduced amino acid sequences of Lac1a and Lac1b and those from basidiomycetous fungi. In the Pichia pastoris expression system, high extracellular production of Lac1a, a glycoprotein, was achieved, whereas Lac1b was not expressed as a secreted protein because of hyper-glycosylation. Biochemical characterization of the purified recombinant Lac1a (rLac1a) protein revealed its oxidizing efficacy toward 14 aromatic substrates. The highly substrate-specific rLac1a showed catalytic efficiencies of 877 s^-1 mM^-1, 829 s^-1 mM^-1, 520 s^-1 mM^-1, and 467 s^-1 mM^-1 toward 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), hydroquinone, guaiacol, and 2,6-dimethylphenol, respectively. Moreover, rLac1a showed approximately 10 % higher activity in non-ionic detergents and >50 % higher residual activity in various organic solvents. These results indicate that rLac1a is a novel oxidase biocatalyst for the bioconversion of lignin into value-added products.

Identification of laccase genes in Trichoderma asperellum Ts93

Although extensive research efforts have been dedicated to characterizing the laccase from white-rot fungus, little information is available on laccases from Trichoderma spp. A copper-tolerant strain with the ability to produce laccase was isolated and identified as Trichoderma asperellum Ts93. Under optimized conditions, the maximum laccase activity was 1.96 U/ml. The genome-wide survey of Ts93 revealed the presence of seven putative laccase genes that all contained the conserved domain and were divided into three different phylogenetic groups. Among these genes, three contained the four copper-binding conserved regions. The expression profiles acquired through real-time quantitative PCR analysis showed that five of the seven genes were significantly upregulated in response to laccase activity. Seven laccase genes in T. asperellum were identified for the first time by whole-genome sequencing followed by phylogenetic analysis. The findings of this work provide valuable information for the functional analysis of laccase genes in Trichoderma spp.

Laccase-mediated formation of hydrogels based on silk-elastin-like protein polymers with ultra-high molecular weight

As artificial extracellular matrix-like materials, silk-elastin-like protein (SELP) hydrogels, with excellent mechanical properties, high tunability, favorable biocompatibility, and controlled degradability, have become an important candidate in biomedical materials. In this study, SELP is composed of silk-like (GAGAGS) and elastin-like (GXGVP) tandem repeats, in which X residues are set as tyrosine and lysine. Furthermore, SELP polymers are prepared via SpyTag/SpyCatcher. To explore a gentler and more efficient enzymatic crosslinking method, an innovative method was invented to apply laccase to catalyze the formation of SELP hydrogels. Gelation could be successfully achieved in 2-5 min . SELP hydrogels mediated by laccase had the characteristic of low swelling rate, which could maintain a relatively stable shape even when immersed in water, and hence had the potential to be further developed into injectable biomaterials. Additionally, SELP hydrogels cross-linked by laccase showed excellent biocompatibility verified by L929 and HEK 293 T cells with cell viability >93.8 %. SELP hydrogels also exhibit good properties in sustained drug release and cell encapsulation in vitro. This study demonstrates a novel method to construct SELP hydrogels with excellent biocompatibility and expands the possibility of SELP-based material applications in biomedical fields.

Feasibility and potential of laccase-based enzyme in wastewater treatment through sustainable approach: A review

The worldwide increase in metropolitan cities and rise in industrialization have resulted in the assimilation of hazardous pollutants into the ecosystems. Different physical, chemical and biological techniques have been employed to remove these toxins from water bodies. Several bioprocess applications using microbes and their enzymes are utilized to achieve the goal. Biocatalysts, such as laccases, are employed explicitly to deplete a variety of organic pollutants. However, the degradation of contaminants using biocatalysts has many disadvantages concerning the stability and activity of the enzyme. Hence, they are immobilized on different supports to improve the enzyme kinetics and recyclability. Furthermore, standard wastewater treatment methods are not effective in eliminating all the contaminants. As a result, membrane separation technologies have emerged to overcome the limitations of traditional wastewater treatment methods. Moreover, enzymes immobilized onto these membranes have generated new avenues in wastewater purification technology. This review provides the latest information on laccases from diverse sources, their molecular framework and their mode of action. This report also gives information about various immobilization techniques and the application of membrane bioreactors to eliminate and biotransform hazardous contaminants. In a nutshell, laccases appear to be the most promising biocatalysts for green and cost-efficient wastewater treatment technologies.

Whole-Genome Sequencing and Comparative Genomics Analysis of the Wild Edible Mushroom (Gomphus purpuraceus) Provide Insights into Its Potential Food Application and Artificial Domestication

Gomphus purpuraceus (Iwade) Yokoyama is a species of wild fungi that grows in southwest China, considered an edible and medicinal fungus with potential commercial prospects. However, the detailed mechanisms related to the development of mycelium and the formation of the fruiting body are unclear. To obtain a comprehensive overview of genetic features, whole-genome and comparative genomics analyses of G. purpuraceus were performed. High-quality DNA was extracted from the mycelium, which was isolated from a fresh fruiting body of G. purpuraceus. The DNA sample was subjected to sequencing using Illumina and Oxford Nanopore sequencing platforms. A genome assembly totaling 40.15 Mb in 50 contigs with an N50 length of 2.06 Mb was generated, and 8705 putative predicted genes were found. Subsequently, phylogenetic analysis revealed a close evolutionary relationship between G. purpuraceus and Gomphus bonarii. Moreover, a total of 403 carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) were identified in G. purpuraceus, which included 147 glycoside hydrolases (GHs), 85 glycosyl transferases (GTs), 8 polysaccharide lyases (PLs), 76 carbohydrate esterases (CEs), 57 auxiliary activities (AAs) and 30 carbohydrate-binding modules (CBMs). Compared with the other 13 fungi (Laccaria bicolor, Russula virescens, Boletus edulis, etc.), the number and distribution of CAZymes in G. purpuraceus were similar to other mycorrhizal fungi. Furthermore, the optimization of culture medium for G. purpuraceus showed the efficient utilization of disaccharides such as sucrose and maltose. The genome of G. purpuraceus provides new insights into its niche, food applications and potential artificial domestication.

Green production of a yellow laccase by Coriolopsis gallica for phenolic pollutants removal

As a group of green biocatalysts, fungal laccases have aroused great interest in diverse biotechnological fields. Therein, yellow laccase has advantages over blue laccase in catalytic performance, but it is not common in the reported fungal laccases. Here, we report a yellow laccase from white-rot fungus Coriolopsis gallica NCULAC F1 about its production, purification, characterization, and application. Laccase production in the co-fermentation of pomelo peel and wheat bran reached the enzyme activity by 10,690 U/L after 5 days with a 13.58-time increase. After three steps of purification, laccase increased the specific activity from 30.78 to 188.79 U/mg protein with an activity recovery of 45.64%. The purified C. gallica laccase (CGLac) showed a molecular mass of about 57 kDa. CGLac had a yellow color and no absorption peaks at 610 nm and 330 nm, suggesting that it’s a yellow laccase. CGLac exhibited stability towards temperature (40–60 °C) and neutral pH (6.0–8.0). Fe³⁺ and Mn²⁺ strongly stimulated CGLac activity by 162.56% and 226.05%, respectively. CGLac remained high activities when exposed to organic reagents and putative inhibitors. Additionally, CGLac contributed to 90.78%, 93.26%, and 99.66% removal of phenol, p-chlorophenol and bisphenol A after 120 min, respectively. In conclusion, a green efficient production strategy was introduced for fungal laccase, and the obtained CGLac presented great enzymatic properties and catalytic potential in the removal of phenolic pollutants.

Pomelo peels and wheat bran are great nutritional sources and laccase inducers.

CGLac showed the spectral characteristic of yellow laccase.

CGLac had great stability and catalytic ability for phenolic pollutants removal.

Impact of Antibiotics as Waste, Physical, Chemical, and Enzymatical Degradation: Use of Laccases

The first traces of Tetracycline (TE) were detected in human skeletons from Sudan and Egypt, finding that it may be related to the diet of the time, the use of some dyes, and the use of soils loaded with microorganisms, such as Streptomyces spp., among other microorganisms capable of producing antibiotics. However, most people only recognise authors dating between 1904 and 1940, such as Ehrlich, Domagk, and Fleming. Antibiotics are the therapeutic option for countless infections treatment; unfortunately, they are the second most common group of drugs in wastewaters worldwide due to failures in industrial waste treatments (pharmaceutics, hospitals, senior residences) and their irrational use in humans and animals. The main antibiotics problem lies in delivered and non-prescribed human use, use in livestock as growth promoters, and crop cultivation as biocides (regulated activities that have not complied in some places). This practice has led to the toxicity of the environment as antibiotics generate eutrophication, water pollution, nutrient imbalance, and press antibiotic resistance. In addition, the removal of antibiotics is not a required process in global wastewater treatment standards. This review aims to raise awareness of the negative impact of antibiotics as residues and physical, chemical, and biological treatments for their degradation. We discuss the high cost of physical and chemical treatments, the risk of using chemicals that worsen the situation, and the fact that each antibiotic class can be transformed differently with each of these treatments and generate new compounds that could be more toxic than the original ones; also, we discuss the use of enzymes for antibiotic degradation, with emphasis on laccases.

Fungal Enzymes Involved in Plastics Biodegradation

Plastic pollution is a growing environmental problem, in part due to the extremely stable and durable nature of this polymer. As recycling does not provide a complete solution, research has been focusing on alternative ways of degrading plastic. Fungi provide a wide array of enzymes specialized in the degradation of recalcitrant substances and are very promising candidates in the field of plastic degradation. This review examines the present literature for different fungal enzymes involved in plastic degradation, describing their characteristics, efficacy and biotechnological applications. Fungal laccases and peroxidases, generally used by fungi to degrade lignin, show good results in degrading polyethylene (PE) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), while esterases such as cutinases and lipases were successfully used to degrade polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyurethane (PUR). Good results were also obtained on PUR by fungal proteases and ureases. All these enzymes were isolated from many different fungi, from both Basidiomycetes and Ascomycetes, and have shown remarkable efficiency in plastic biodegradation under laboratory conditions. Therefore, future research should focus on the interactions between the genes, proteins, metabolites and environmental conditions involved in the processes. Further steps such as the improvement in catalytic efficiency and genetic engineering could lead these enzymes to become biotechnological applications in the field of plastic degradation.

Production and properties of a laccase isozyme (FvLcc3) from the edible mushroom Flammulina velutipes, which is undetectable under the culture condition for fruiting body formation

Extracellular laccase isozyme (FvLcc3) from the edible mushroom Flammulina velutipes was found to be undetectable under the culture condition for fruiting body formation. FvLcc3 was purified and determined to be an approximately 53-kDa monomeric protein. FvLcc3 showed the highest catalytic efficiency (kcat/Km) toward 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) followed by 2,6-dimethoxyphenol and guaiacol and did not oxidize 3,4-dihydroxy-l-phenylalanine and l-tyrosine.

Enzymatic synthesis, characterization and properties of the protein-polysaccharide conjugate: A review

Poor solubility of proteins negatively affects their functional properties and greatly limits their application. Enzymatic cross-linking with polysaccharides can improve solubility and functional properties of proteins. The enzymes used include transglutaminase, laccase and peroxidase. Therefore, this work introduces the cross-linking mechanisms of these enzymes and the characterization techniques, the improved properties and the potential applications of the enzymatically-synthesized protein-polysaccharide conjugate. Transglutaminase catalyzes the formation of a new peptide bond and thus works on amino-containing polysaccharides to conjugate with proteins. However, laccase and peroxidase catalyze oxidation of various compounds with phenol and aniline structures. Therefore, these two enzymes can catalyze the conjugate reaction between proteins and feruloylated polysaccharides which are widely distributed in cereal bran. Compared with the unmodified protein, the enzymatically-synthesized protein-polysaccharide conjugate usually has higher solubility and better functional properties. Thus, it is inferred that enzymatic conjugation with polysaccharide molecules can extend the application of proteins.

Impact of microbial inoculants combined with humic acid on the fate of estrogens during pig manure composting under low-temperature conditions

To investigate the efficiency of psychrotrophic cellulose-degrading fungal strains (PCDFSs) and estrogen-degrading bacteria (EDBs) combined with humic acid (HA) on estrone (E1) and 17-β-estradiol (E2) degradation, five compost groups (T, HA, EDB, PCDFS, and CK) were prepared and composted for 32 days at 11-14°C. The results indicated that inoculation increased the temperature to 62.2°C and promoted E1 degradation to the lowest level of 100.1 ng/kg, while E2 was undetected from day 16. Metagenomic analysis revealed that inoculation altered the microbial community structure by increasing the abundance of cellulose-degrading fungi, especially Meyerozyma (16.7%) (among PCDFSs), and of estrogen-degrading bacteria, particularly Microbacterium (13.4%) (involved in EDBs). Moreover, inoculation increased the levels (>0.500%) of Gene Ontology (GO) associated with estrogen degradation, like 3-β-hydroxy-delta 5-steroid dehydrogenase and monooxygenase. Redundancy analysis demonstrated that temperature and Microbacterium were positively correlated with estrogen degradation. Structural equation model indicated that temperature and estrogen-degrading bacterial genera exhibited positive, significant (p < 0.001) and direct impacts on estrogen degradation. This is the first study to suggest that applying microbial inoculants and HA could accelerate estrogen degradation during composting in cold regions. The research outcomes offer a practical reference for managing compost safety, thereby decreasing its potential environmental and human health impacts.

Optimization, purification and characterization of laccase from Ganoderma leucocontextum along with its phylogenetic relationship

The aim of this work to study an efficient laccase producing fungus Ganoderma leucocontextum, which was identified by ITS regions of DNA and phylogenetic tree was constructed. This study showed the laccase first-time from G. leucocontextum by using medium containing guaiacol. The growth cultural (pH, temperature, incubation days, rpm) and nutritional (carbon and nitrogen sources) conditions were optimized, which enhanced the enzyme production up to 4.5-folds. Laccase production increased 855 U/L at 40 °C. The pH 5.0 was suitable for laccase secretion (2517 U/L) on the 7th day of incubation at 100 rpm (698.3 U/L). Glucose and sucrose were good carbon source to enhance the laccase synthesis. The 10 g/L beef (4671 U/L) and yeast extract (5776 U/L) were the best nitrogen source for laccase secretion from G. leucocontextum. The laccase was purified from the 80% ammonium sulphate precipitations of protein identified by nucleotides sequence. The molecular weight (65.0 kDa) of purified laccase was identified through SDS and native PAGE entitled as Glacc110. The Glacc110 was characterized under different parameters. It retained > 90% of its activity for 16 min incubation at 60 °C in acidic medium (pH 4.0). This enzyme exerted its optimal activity at pH 3.0 and temperature 70 °C with guaiacol substrate. The catalytic parameters K_m and V_max was 1.658 (mM) and 2.452 (mM/min), respectively. The thermo stability of the laccase produced by submerged fermentation of G. leucocontextum has potential for industrial and biotechnology applications. The results remarked the G. leucocontextum is a good source for laccase production.

Laccases as green and versatile biocatalysts: from lab to enzyme market-an overview

Laccases are multi-copper oxidase enzymes that catalyze the oxidation of different compounds (phenolics and non-phenolics). The scientific literature on laccases is quite extensive, including many basic and applied research about the structure, functions, mechanism of action and a variety of biotechnological applications of these versatile enzymes. Laccases can be used in various industries/sectors, from the environmental field to the cosmetics industry, including food processing and the textile industry (dyes biodegradation and synthesis). Known as eco-friendly or green enzymes, the application of laccases in biocatalytic processes represents a promising sustainable alternative to conventional methods. Due to the advantages granted by enzyme immobilization, publications on immobilized laccases increased substantially in recent years. Many patents related to the use of laccases are available, however, the real industrial or environmental use of laccases is still challenged by cost-benefit, especially concerning the feasibility of producing this enzyme on a large scale. Although this is a compelling point and the enzyme market is heated, articles on the production and application of laccases usually neglect the economic assessment of the processes. In this review, we present a description of laccases structure and mechanisms of action including the different sources (fungi, bacteria, and plants) for laccases production and tools for laccases evolution and prediction of potential substrates. In addition, we both compare approaches for scaling-up processes with an emphasis on cost reduction and productivity and critically review several immobilization methods for laccases. Following the critical view on production and immobilization, we provide a set of applications for free and immobilized laccases based on articles published within the last five years and patents which may guide future strategies for laccase use and commercialization.

Fungal Laccases: The Forefront of Enzymes for Sustainability

Enzymatic catalysis is one of the main pillars of sustainability for industrial production. Enzyme application allows minimization of the use of toxic solvents and to valorize the agro-industrial residues through reuse. In addition, they are safe and energy efficient. Nonetheless, their use in biotechnological processes is still hindered by the cost, stability, and low rate of recycling and reuse. Among the many industrial enzymes, fungal laccases (LCs) are perfect candidates to serve as a biotechnological tool as they are outstanding, versatile catalytic oxidants, only requiring molecular oxygen to function. LCs are able to degrade phenolic components of lignin, allowing them to efficiently reuse the lignocellulosic biomass for the production of enzymes, bioactive compounds, or clean energy, while minimizing the use of chemicals. Therefore, this review aims to give an overview of fungal LC, a promising green and sustainable enzyme, its mechanism of action, advantages, disadvantages, and solutions for its use as a tool to reduce the environmental and economic impact of industrial processes with a particular insight on the reuse of agro-wastes.

Recent Developments in the Immobilization of Laccase on Carbonaceous Supports for Environmental Applications - A Critical Review

Τhe ligninolytic enzyme laccase has proved its potential for environmental applications. However, there is no documented industrial application of free laccase due to low stability, poor reusability, and high costs. Immobilization has been considered as a powerful technique to enhance laccase's industrial potential. In this technology, appropriate support selection for laccase immobilization is a crucial step since the support could broadly affect the properties of the resulting catalyst system. Through the last decades, a large variety of inorganic, organic, and composite materials have been used in laccase immobilization. Among them, carbon-based materials have been explored as a support candidate for immobilization, due to their properties such as high porosity, high surface area, the existence of functional groups, and their highly aromatic structure. Carbon-based materials have also been used in culture media as supports, sources of nutrients, and inducers, for laccase production. This study aims to review the recent trends in laccase production, immobilization techniques, and essential support properties for enzyme immobilization. More specifically, this review analyzes and presents the significant benefits of carbon-based materials for their key role in laccase production and immobilization.

Selection of a pH- and temperature-stable laccase from Ganoderma australe and its application for bioremediation of textile dyes

By virtue of screening, purification, and properties characterization, this study captures a new pH- and temperature-stable laccase, designated Galacc-F, from Ganoderma australe for dye bioremediating applications. The enzyme was purified to homogeneity by salt precipitation, ionic exchange, and size exclusion chromatography with a final specific activity of 22.214 U mg^-1, yielding a purification fold of 23.989 and recovery of 38.44%. Its molecular weight was estimated to be 48.0 kDa by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, zymography, Sephadex G-100 column, and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry, which confirmed its monomeric nature. Galacc-F exhibited high levels of activity and stability over wide ranges of pH (5.0-8.0) and temperature (10-60 °C), which are highly valuable properties in industrial processes. Broad substrate specificity was observed, wherein a better affinity was found for 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) with a low value of K_m (164.137 μM) and higher k_cat/K_m ratio (1.663 s^-1 μM^-1). Activity was stimulated by Cu²⁺ and β-mercaptoethanol but inhibited by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, diethylpyrocarbonate, iodoacetic acid, phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride, and Hg²⁺, indicating that Galacc-F is a metalloprotease containing a typical histidine-cysteine-serine catalytic triad. It had high tolerance to surfactants, oxidants, and salts. Additionally, a fabricated protocol for native Galacc-F immobilization onto Fe₃O₄@Chitosan composite nanoparticles using glutaraldehyde as a crosslinker was developed. Most importantly, the enzyme was determined to be ideal for use in efficient treatment of dye effluents as compared with the laccases requiring redox mediators.

Agro-Industrial Wastes: A Substrate for Multi-Enzymes Production by Cryphonectria parasitica

This study aims to produce a mix of enzymes through Solid State Fermentation (SSF) of raw materials. Four different, easily available, agro-industrial wastes were evaluated as SSF substrates for enzymes production by Cryphonectria parasitica (Murr.) Barr. environmental strains named CpA, CpB2, CpC4, and CpC7. Among the tested wastes, organic wheat bran for human use and wheat bran for animal feed better supports C. parasitica growth and protease production without any supplements. SDS-PAGE analyses highlighted the presence of three bands corresponding to an extracellular laccase (77 kDa), to the endothiapepsin (37 kDa), and to a carboxylesterase (60.6 kDa). Protease, laccase, and esterase activities by C. parasitica in SSF were evaluated for 15 days, showing the maximum protease activity at day 9 (3955.6 AU/gsf,). Conversely, the best laccase and esterase production was achieved after 15 days. The C. parasitica hypovirulent CpC4 strain showed the highest laccase and esterase activity (93.8 AU/gsf and 2.5 U/gsf, respectively). These results suggest the feasibility of a large-scale production of industrially relevant enzymes by C. parasitica strains in SSF process on low value materials.

Laccase Activity in Fungus Cryphonectria parasitica Is Affected by Growth Conditions and Fungal-Viral Genotypic Interactions

Laccase activity reduction in the chestnut blight fungus Cryphonectria parasitica usually accompanies the hypovirulence caused by the infection of fungus with Cryphonectria hypovirus 1 (CHV1). However, the different methods utilized for assessing this phenomenon has produced varied and often conflicting results. Furthermore, the majority of experimental setups included only one prototypic system, further confounding the results. Considering the diversity of fungal isolates, viral strains, and variability of their effects on the phytopathogenic process observed in nature, our goal was to ascertain if laccase activity variability is affected by (1) different C. parasitica isolates infected with several CHV1 strains, and (2) growth conditions. We have demonstrated that some CHV1 strains, contrary to previous assumptions, increase the activity of C. parasitica laccases. The specific fungal isolates used in the experiments and culture conditions also affected the results. Furthermore, we showed that two commonly used laccase substrates, 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) and 2,4-dimethoxyphenol, cannot be used interchangeably in C. parasitica laccase activity measurements. Our results illustrate the importance of conducting this type of study in experimental systems and culture conditions that resemble natural conditions as much as possible to be able to infer the most relevant conclusions applicable to natural populations.

Novel Cold-Adapted Recombinant Laccase KbLcc1 from Kabatiella bupleuri G3 IBMiP as a Green Catalyst in Biotransformation

Cold-adapted enzymes are useful tools in the organic syntheses conducted in mixed aqueous-organic or non-aqueous solvents due to their molecular flexibility that stabilizes the proteins in low water activity environments. A novel psychrophilic laccase gene from Kabatiella bupleuri, G3 IBMiP, was spliced by Overlap-Extension PCR (OE-PCR) and expressed in Pichia pastoris. Purified recombinant KbLcc1 laccase has an optimal temperature of 30 °C and pH of 3.5, 5.5, 6.0, and 7.0 in the reaction with 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), guaiacol, sinapic acid, and syringaldazine, respectively. Moreover, laccase KbLcc1 is highly thermolabile, as it loses 40% of activity after 30 min at 40 °C and is inactivated at 50 °C after the same period of incubation. The new enzyme remained active with 1 mM of Ni2+, Cu2+, Mn2+, and Zn2+ and with 2 mM of Co2+, Ca2+, and Mg2+, but Fe2+ greatly inhibited the laccase activity. Moreover, 1% ethanol had no impact on KbLcc1, although acetone and ethyl acetate decreased the laccase activity. The presence of hexane (40%, v/v) caused a 58% increase in activity. Laccase KbLcc1 could be applied in the decolorization of synthetic dyes and in the biotransformation of ferulic acid to vanillin. After 5 days of reaction at 20 °C, pH 3.5, with 1 mM ABTS as a mediator, the vanillin concentration was 21.9 mg/L and the molar yield of transformation reached 14.39%.

Purification and Characterization of a Thermo- and pH-Stable Laccase From the Litter-Decomposing Fungus Gymnopus luxurians and Laccase Mediator Systems for Dye Decolorization

An extracellular laccase (GLL) was purified from fermentation broth of the litter-decomposing fungus Gymnopus luxurians by four chromatography steps, which resulted in a high specific activity of 118.82 U/mg, purification fold of 41.22, and recovery rate of 42.05%. It is a monomeric protein with a molecular weight of 64 kDa and N-terminal amino acid sequence of AIGPV TDLHI, suggesting that GLL is a typical fungal laccase. GLL demonstrated an optimum temperature range of 55°C-65°C and an optimum pH 2.2 toward 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS). It displayed considerably high thermostability and pH stability with about 63% activity retained after 24 h at 50°C, and 86% activity retained after 24 h at pH 2.2, respectively. GLL was significantly enhanced in the presence of K+, Na+, and Mg2+ ions. It demonstrated K m of 539 μM and k cat /K m of 140 mM-1⋅s-1 toward ABTS at pH 2.2 and 37°C. Acetosyringone (AS) and syringaldehyde (SA) were the optimal mediators of GLL (0.4 U/ml) for dye decolorization with decolorization rates of about 60%-90% toward 11 of the 14 synthetic dyes. The optimum reaction conditions were determined to be mediator concentration of 0.1 mM, temperature range of 25°C -60°C, and pH 4.0. The purified laccase was the first laccase isolated from genus Gymnopus with high thermostability, pH stability, and effective decolorization toward dyes, suggesting that it has potentials for textile and environmental applications.

Mushroom Ligninolytic Enzymes―Features and Application of Potential Enzymes for Conversion of Lignin into Bio-Based Chemicals and Materials

Mushroom ligninolytic enzymes are attractive biocatalysts that can degrade lignin through oxido-reduction. Laccase, lignin peroxidase, manganese peroxidase, and versatile peroxidase are the main enzymes that depolymerize highly complex lignin structures containing aromatic or aliphatic moieties and oxidize the subunits of monolignol associated with oxidizing agents. Among these enzymes, mushroom laccases are secreted glycoproteins, belonging to a polyphenol oxidase family, which have a powerful oxidizing capability that catalyzes the modification of lignin using synthetic or natural mediators by radical mechanisms via lignin bond cleavage. The high redox potential laccase within mediators can catalyze the oxidation of a wide range of substrates and the polymerization of lignin derivatives for value-added chemicals and materials. The chemoenzymatic process using mushroom laccases has been applied effectively for lignin utilization and the degradation of recalcitrant chemicals as an eco-friendly technology. Laccase-mediated grafting has also been employed to modify lignin and other polymers to obtain novel functional groups able to conjugate small and macro-biomolecules. In this review, the biochemical features of mushroom ligninolytic enzymes and their potential applications in catalytic reactions involving lignin and its derivatives to obtain value-added chemicals and novel materials in lignin valorization are discussed.

Evaluation of two microcosm systems for co-treatment of LDPEoxo and lignocellulosic biomass for biochar production

BACKGROUND

The co-transformation of solid waste of natural and anthropogenic origin can be carried out through solid-state-fermentation systems to obtain bio-products with higher added value and lower environmental impact.

METHODS

To evaluate the effect of Pleurotus ostreatus on co-transformation of oxo-degradable low-density polyethylene (LDPE_oxo) sheets and lignocellulosic biomass (LCB), were assembled two 0.75 L microcosm systems in vertical (VMS) and horizontal (HMS) position. The pre-treated sheets with luminescent O₂ plasma discharges were mixed with pine bark, hydrolyzed brewer's yeast and paper napkin fragments and incubated for 135 days at 20 ± 1.0 °C in the presence of the fungus. With the co-transformation residues, biochar (BC) was produced at 300 ± 1.0 °C (BC300) for 1 h, then used to carry out adsorption studies, using the malachite green dye (MG) at pH 4.0, 7.0 and 9.0 ± 0.2. Finally, the biochar was the substrate for the germination of carnation seeds (Dianthus caryophyllus) and Ray-grass (Lolium sp.) in vitro.

RESULTS

For HMS, the decrease in static contact angle (SCA) was 63.63% (p = 0.00824) and for VMS 74.45% (p = 0.00219), concerning the pristine. Plastic roughness in VMS was higher (26%) concerning the control. Throughout the 135 days, there were fungal growth and consequently laccase (Lac), manganese peroxidase (MnP) and lignin peroxidase (LiP) activities. During the first 75 days, CO₂ production increased to 4.78 ± 0.01 and 4.98 ± 0.01 mg g-1 for HMS and VMS, respectively. In MG adsorption studies, the highest amount of the colourant adsorbed at both pH 4.0 and 7.0 ± 0.2.

CONCLUSIONS

Finally, the biochar or the biochar enriched with low concentrations of plant growth-promoting microorganisms and inorganic fertilizer favours the germination of Dianthus caryophyllus and Lolium sp., seeds.

Functional and transcriptomic investigation of laccase activity in the presence of PCB29 identifies two novel enzymes and the multicopper oxidase repertoire of a marine-derived fungus

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent organic pollutants (POPs), that can be detected in a variety of environments including the human body, adversely affecting global health. Bioremediation is an emerging field for the detoxification and removal of environmental pollutants, with novel biocatalysts appropriate for this task being in high demand. In this study, a biobank of novel fungal strains isolated as symbionts of marine invertebrates was screened for their ability to remove 2,4,5-trichlorobiphenyl (PCB29). The most efficient strains were studied further for their ability to express laccase activity, the most commonly associated extracellular activity involved in the removal of aromatic pollutants and encoded in fungi by the enzymatic class of multicopper oxidases (MCOs). The strain expressing the highest laccase activity, Cladosporium sp. TM138-S3, was cultivated in the presence of copper ions in a 12 L bioreactor and two enzymes exhibiting laccase activity were isolated from the culture broth through ion-exchange chromatography. The two enzymes, Lac1 and Lac2, were biochemically characterized and showed similar characteristics, although an improved ability to remove PCB29 (up to 71.2%) was observed for Lac2 in the presence of mediators. In parallel, we performed RNAseq of the strain growing in presence and absence of PCB29 and reconstructed its transcriptome assembly. Functional annotation allowed identifying the MCO repertoire of the fungus, consisting of 13 enzymes. Phylogenetic analysis of Ascomycete MCOs further allowed classifying these enzymes, revealing the diversity of laccase activities in Cladosporium sp. TM138-S3.

A Brief History of Colour, the Environmental Impact of Synthetic Dyes and Removal by Using Laccases

The history of colour is fascinating from a social and artistic viewpoint because it shows the way; use; and importance acquired. The use of colours date back to the Stone Age (the first news of cave paintings); colour has contributed to the social and symbolic development of civilizations. Colour has been associated with hierarchy; power and leadership in some of them. The advent of synthetic dyes has revolutionized the colour industry; and due to their low cost; their use has spread to different industrial sectors. Although the percentage of coloured wastewater discharged by the textile; food; pharmaceutical; cosmetic; and paper industries; among other productive areas; are unknown; the toxic effect and ecological implications of this discharged into water bodies are harmful. This review briefly shows the social and artistic history surrounding the discovery and use of natural and synthetic dyes. We summarise the environmental impact caused by the discharge of untreated or poorly treated coloured wastewater to water bodies; which has led to physical; chemical and biological treatments to reduce the colour units so as important physicochemical parameters. We also focus on laccase utility (EC 1.10.3.2), for discolouration enzymatic treatment of coloured wastewater, before its discharge into water bodies. Laccases (p-diphenol: oxidoreductase dioxide) are multicopper oxidoreductase enzymes widely distributed in plants, insects, bacteria, and fungi. Fungal laccases have employed for wastewater colour removal due to their high redox potential. This review includes an analysis of the stability of laccases, the factors that influence production at high scales to achieve discolouration of high volumes of contaminated wastewater, the biotechnological impact of laccases, and the degradation routes that some dyes may follow when using the laccase for colour removal.

Introducing a Thermo-Alkali-Stable, Metallic Ion-Tolerant Laccase Purified From White Rot Fungus Trametes hirsuta

This study introduces a valuable laccase, designated ThLacc-S, purified from white rot fungus Trametes hirsuta. ThLacc-S is a monomeric protein in nature with a molecular weight of 57.0 kDa and can efficiently metabolize endocrine disrupting chemicals. The enzyme was successfully purified to homogeneity via three consecutive steps consisting of salt precipitation and column chromatography, resulting in a 20.76-fold increase in purity and 46.79% yield, with specific activity of 22.111 U/mg protein. ThLacc-S was deciphered as a novel member of the laccase family and is a rare metalloenzyme that contains cysteine, serine, histidine, and tyrosine residues in its catalytic site, and follows Michaelis-Menten kinetic behavior with a K _m and a k _cat /K _m of 87.466 μM and 1.479 s^-1μM^-1, respectively. ThLacc-S exerted excellent thermo-alkali stability, since it was markedly active after a 2-h incubation at temperatures ranging from 20 to 70°C and retained more than 50% of its activity after incubation for 72 h in a broad pH range of 5.0-10.0. Enzymatic activities of ThLacc-S were enhanced and preserved when exposed to metallic ions, surfactants, and organic solvents, rendering this novel enzyme of interest as a green catalyst for versatile biotechnological and industrial applications that require these singularities of laccases, particularly biodegradation and bioremediation of environmental pollutants.

Recombinant laccase rPOXA 1B real-time, accelerated and molecular dynamics stability study

Background

Laccases (EC 1.10.3.2) are multi-copper oxidoreductases with great biotechnological importance due to their high oxidative potential and utility for removing synthetic dyes, oxidizing phenolic compounds, and degrading pesticides, among others.

Methods

A real-time stability study (RTS) was conducted for a year, by using enzyme concentrates from 3 batches (L1, L3, and L4). For which, five temperatures 243.15, 277.15, 298.15, 303.15, 308.15, and 313.15 K were assayed. Using RTS data and the Arrhenius equation, we calculated the rPOXA 1B accelerated stability (AS). Molecular dynamics (MD) computational study results were very close to those obtained experimentally at four different temperatures 241, 278, 298, and 314 K.

Results

In the RTS, 101.16, 115.81, 75.23, 46.09, 5.81, and 4.83% of the relative enzyme activity were recovered, at respective assayed temperatures. AS study, showed that rPOXA 1B is stable at 240.98 ± 5.38, 277.40 ± 1.32 or 297.53 ± 3.88 K; with t_1/2 values of 230.8, 46.2, and 12.6 months, respectively. Kinetic and thermodynamic parameters supported the high stability of rPOXA 1B, with an E_d value of 41.40 KJ mol^− 1, a low variation of K_M and V_max, at 240.98 ± 5.38, and 297.53 ± 3.88 K, and ∆G values showing deactivation reaction does not occur. The MD indicates that fluctuations in loop, coils or loops with hydrophilic or intermediate polarity amino acids as well as in some residues of POXA 1B 3D structure, increases with temperature; changing from three fluctuating residues at 278 K to six residues at 298 K, and nine residues at 314 K.

Conclusions

Laccase rPOXA 1B demonstrated experimentally and computationally to be a stable enzyme, with t_1/2 of 230.8, 46.2 or 12.6 months, if it is preserved impure without preservatives at temperatures of 240.98 ± 5.38, 277.40 ± 1.32 or 297.53 ± 3.88 K respectively; this study could be of great utility for large scale producers.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12896-021-00698-3.

Screening of Novel Laccase Producers-Isolation and Characterization of Cold-Adapted Laccase from Kabatiella bupleuri G3 Capable of Synthetic Dye Decolorization

Psychrophilic laccases catalyzing the bond formation in mild, environmentally friendly conditions are one of the biocatalysts at the focus of green chemistry. Screening of 41 cold-adapted strains of yeast and yeast-like fungi revealed a new laccase-producing strain, which was identified as Kabatiella bupleuri G3 IBMiP according to the morphological characteristics and analysis of sequences of the D1/D2 regions of 26S rDNA domain and the ITS1-5,8S-ITS2 region. The extracellular activity of laccase in reaction with 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) at the optimal pH 3.5 was 215 U/L after 15 days of growth in a medium with waste material and 126 U/L after 25 days of cultivation in a defined medium. Copper (II) ions (0.4 mM), Tween 80 (1.0 mM) and ascorbic acid (5.0 mM) increased the production of laccase. The optimum temperature for enzyme operation is in the range of 30-40 °C and retains over 60% of the maximum activity at 10 °C. New laccase shows high thermolability-half-life at 40 °C was only 60 min. Enzyme degradation of synthetic dyes was the highest for crystal violet, i.e., 48.6% after 1-h reaction with ABTS as a mediator. Outcomes of this study present the K. bupleuri laccase as a potential psychrozyme for environmental and industrial applications.

Laccase as an efficacious approach to remove anticancer drugs: A study of doxorubicin degradation, kinetic parameters, and toxicity assessment

The degradation of an anticancer drug by laccase was investigated for the first time, bringing a new approach to treat these hazardous substances through the direct enzymatic application. Degradations of doxorubicin by laccase were performed in different enzymatic concentrations, pH values and temperatures through kinetic studies. The highest enzymatic degradation of doxorubicin was achieved at pH 7 and 30 ºC, which resembles effluent characteristics from wastewater treatment plants. Assays were carried out in different doxorubicin concentrations to comprehend the enzymatic kinetics of degradation. Michaelis-Menten kinetic parameters obtained were maximum velocity obtained (V_max) of 702.8 µg_DOX h^-1 L^-1 and Michaelis-Menten constant (K_M) of 4.05 µM, which showed a good affinity for the substrate. The toxicity was evaluated against L-929 cell line, and the degraded doxorubicin solution did not show a reduction in cell viability in the concentration of 250 µg L^-1. In contrast, the doxorubicin shows a reduction of 27% in cell viability. Furthermore, in the highest tested concentration (1000 µg L^-1), enzymatic degradation reduced in up 41.4% the toxicity of doxorubicin, which indicates laccase degrades doxorubicin to non-toxic compounds. In conclusion, this study provides a new application to laccase since the results showed great potential to remove anticancer drugs from effluents.

Tolerance to Abiotic Factors of Microsclerotia and Mycelial Pellets From Metarhizium robertsii, and Molecular and Ultrastructural Changes During Microsclerotial Differentiation

Metarhizium species fungi are able to produce resistant structures termed microsclerotia, formed by compact and melanized threads of hyphae. These propagules are tolerant to desiccation and produce infective conidia; thus, they are promising candidates to use in biological control programs. In this study, we investigated the tolerance to both ultraviolet B (UV-B) radiation and heat of microsclerotia of Metarhizium robertsii strain ARSEF 2575. We also adapted the liquid medium and culture conditions to obtain mycelial pellets from the same isolate in order to compare these characteristics between both types of propagules. We followed the peroxisome biogenesis and studied the oxidative stress during differentiation from conidia to microsclerotia by transmission electron microscopy after staining with a peroxidase activity marker and by the expression pattern of genes potentially involved in these processes. We found that despite their twice smaller size, microsclerotia exhibited higher dry biomass, yield, and conidial productivity than mycelial pellets, both with and without UV-B and heat stresses. From the 16 genes measured, we found an induction after 96-h differentiation in the oxidative stress marker genes MrcatA, MrcatP, and Mrgpx; the peroxisome biogenesis factors Mrpex5 and Mrpex14/17; and the photoprotection genes Mrlac1 and Mrlac2; and Mrlac3. We concluded that an oxidative stress scenario is induced during microsclerotia differentiation in M. robertsii and confirmed that because of its tolerance to desiccation, heat, and UV-B, this fungal structure could be an excellent candidate for use in biological control of pests under tropical and subtropical climates where heat and UV radiation are detrimental to entomopathogenic fungi survival and persistence.

Elucidating fungal Rigidoporus species FMD21 lignin-modifying enzyme genes and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin degradation by laccase isozymes

White-rot fungus Rigidoporus sp. FMD21 is a lignin-modifying enzyme producing fungus that can degrade dioxin. Extracellular enzymes from FMD21 include laccase and manganese peroxidase which are promising enzymes for myco-remediation because of their wide substrate specificity and mild catalysis conditions. The FMD21 genome was sequenced using Ion Torrent technology and consists of 38.98 Mbps with a GC content of 47.4 %. Gene prediction using Augustus with Basidiomycota reference setting resulted in 8245 genes. Functional gene annotations were carried out by using several programs and databases. We focused on laccase and ligninolytic peroxidase genes, which are most likely involved in the degradation of aromatic pollutants. The genome of FMD21 contains 12 predicted laccase genes (10 out of 12 predicted as full length) and 13 putative ligninolytic peroxidases which were annotated as MnP or versatile peroxidases. Four predicted laccases showed a higher than 65 % binding chance to 2,3,7,8-TCDD with the highest at 72 % in in silico docking analysis. Heterologous expressed laccases showed activity towards three tested substrates included ABTS, guaiacol and 2,6-DMP. ABTS displayed two-stage oxidation which differed from natural FMD21 laccases. 2,3,7,8-TCDD was degraded by 50 % after two weeks of enzymatic treatment by three out of five laccase isozymes which were natural laccases secreted by FMD21. In this study, we provide direct evidence for the 2,3,7,8-TCDD biodegradation capability of fungal laccases.