Enzymology and molecular genetics of the ligninolytic system of the basidiomycete Ceriporiopsis subvermispora

Lignin, the most abundant renewable source of aromatic carbon on earth, con sists in a highly irregular three-dimensional biopolymer of oxygenated phen ylpropanoid units. In natural environments, lignin is only degraded efficie ntly by some fungi belonging to the group of basidiomycetes. These microorg anisms secrete an array of oxidases and peroxidases for this purpose, which may be produced in various combinations. This article summarizes our studi es on a particular strain called Ceriporiopsis subvermispora, a fungus whic h is highly agressive towards lignin when growing on wood.