Southern blot screening for lignin peroxidase and aryl-alcohol oxidase genes in 30 fungal species

Screening to detect genes encoding lignin peroxidase (LiP) and aryl-alcohol oxidase (AAO) has been carried out with 30 fungal strain using DNA probes from genes lpo of Phanerochaete chrysosporium (encoding LIP isoenzyme H8) a nd acro of Pleurotus eryngii. Evidence for the presence of genes closely re lated to lpo was found in Bjerkandera adusta Fomes fomentarius, Ganoderma a pplanatum, Ganoderma australe, Lentinula degener, Peniophora gigantea, P. c hrysosporium, Phanerochaete flavido-alba and Trametes versicolor, whereas t he gene ano was detected in Pleurotus species and B. adusta. The presence o f both genes was only detected in B. adusta. These results suggest that dif ferent enzymatic system, formed by enzymes encoded by different genes, are responsible for lignin degradation by white-rot fungi. (C) 2000 Elsevier Sc ience B.V. All rights reserved.