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First description of a laccase-like enzyme in soil algae

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Abstract

Laccases (EC 1.10.3.2) are versatile multi-copper oxidases so far found in higher plants, fungi, insects, prokaryotes and lichens. In the present study, the production of an extracellular laccase-like enzyme by the coccoid green soil alga Tetracystis aeria was investigated and the enzyme was partly characterized, thereby providing the first description of a laccase-like enzyme in soil algae. Enzyme production in algae cultures was considerably increased by addition of the fungal laccase inducer copper sulphate. Maximal enzyme production was observed during the stationary growth phase. Peroxidase or tyrosinase activity was not detected. The native enzyme exhibits an apparent molecular mass of about 212 kDa as observed with size exclusion chromatography and about 210–260 kDa as estimated by zymograms. The enzyme efficiently oxidizes 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS), 2,6-dimethoxyphenol (2,6-DMP), syringaldazine (SGZ) and the anthraquinone dye Acid Blue 62, while guaiacol and Remazol Brilliant Blue R are only poorly oxidized. The apparent kinetic parameters obtained for ABTS, 2,6-DMP and SGZ oxidation are within the range reported for fungal laccases. Oxidation of the phenolic substrate 2,6-DMP displays a remarkably high pH optimum (pH 8.0–8.5), which is interesting with respect to potential biotechnological applications.

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Notes

  1. Oesterreicher (1990) and Shtina (1974) include the cyanobacteria in the term “soil algae”. Cyanobacteria can be estimated to contribute about 20–30% of the total cell numbers of both pro- and eukaryotic algae in temperate farmland soils (Zancan et al. 2006).

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Acknowledgments

We are thankful to François Buscot (Halle) and Susanne Theuerl (Halle) for helpful advice and discussions. The programme topic CITE (Chemicals in the Environment) of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres provided resources for this research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. General and Applied Botany, Institute of Biology I, University of Leipzig, 04103, Leipzig, Germany

    Benjamin Otto & Werner Reisser

  2. Department of Environmental Microbiology, UFZ, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research–UFZ, 04318, Leipzig, Germany

    Dietmar Schlosser

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Correspondence to Benjamin Otto.

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Communicated by Erko Stackebrandt.

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Otto, B., Schlosser, D. & Reisser, W. First description of a laccase-like enzyme in soil algae. Arch Microbiol 192, 759–768 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00203-010-0603-7

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