Isolation of a laccase‐coding gene from the lignin‐degrading fungus <italic>Phlebia brevispora </italic>BAFC 633 and heterologous expression in <italic>Pichia pastoris</italic>.

Abstract: Aims: Isolate and characterize a laccase‐encoding gene (<italic>lac I</italic>) of <italic>Phlebia brevispora </italic>BAFC 633, as well as cloning and expressing cDNA of <italic>lac I</italic> in <italic>Pichia pastoris</italic>. And to obtain a purified and characterized recombinant laccase to analyse the biotechnological application potential. Methods and Results: <italic>Lac I</italic> was cloned and sequenced, it contains 2447 pb obtained by PCR and long‐distance inverse PCR. Upstream of the structural region of the laccase gene, response elements such as metals, antioxidants, copper, nitrogen and heat shock were found. The coding region consisted of a 1563‐pb ORF encoding 521 amino acids. Lac I was functionally expressed in <italic>P. pastoris</italic> and it was shown that the gene cloned using the <italic>α</italic>‐factor signal peptide was more efficient than the native signal sequence, in directing the secretion of the recombinant protein. <italic>K</italic><italic>m</italic> and highest <italic>k</italic>cat<italic>/K</italic><italic>m</italic> values towards ABTS, followed by 2,6‐dimethylphenol, were similar to other laccases. Lac I showed tolerance to NaCl and solvents, and nine synthetic dyes could be degraded to different degrees. Conclusions: Lac I‐encoding gene could be successfully sequenced having cis‐acting elements located at the regulatory region. It was found that <italic>lac I </italic>cDNA expressed in <italic>P. pastoris</italic> using the <italic>α</italic>‐factor signal peptide was more efficient than the native signal sequence. The purified Lac I exhibited high tolerance towards NaCl and various solvents and degraded some recalcitrant synthetic dyes. Significance and Impact of the Study: The <italic>cis</italic>‐acting elements may be involved in the transcriptional regulation of laccase gene expression. These results may provide a further insight into potential ways of optimizing fermentation process and also open new frontiers for engineering strong promoters for laccase production. The Lac I stability in chloride and solvents and broad decolorization of synthetic dyes are important for its use in organic synthesis work and degradation of dyes from textile effluents respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]