LIPID-PEROXIDATION BY THE MANGANESE PEROXIDASE OF PHANEROCHAETE-CHRYSOSPORIUM IS THE BASIS FOR PHENANTHRENE OXIDATION BY THE INTACT FUNGUS

The manganese peroxidase (MnP) of Phanerochaete chrysosporium supporte d Mn(II)-dependent, H2O2 independent lipid peroxidation, as shown by t wo findings: linolenic acid was peroxidized to give products that reac ted with thiobarbituric acid, and linoleic acid was peroxidized to giv e hexanal. MnP also supported the slow oxidation of phenanthrene to 2, 2'-diphenic acid in a reaction that required Mn(II), oxygen, and unsat urated lipids. Phenanthrene oxidation to diphenic acid by intact cultu res of P. chrysosporium occurred to the same extent that oxidation in vitro did and was stimulated by Mn. These results support a role for M nP-mediated lipid peroxidation in phenanthrene oxidation by P. chrysos porium.