Structure and regulation of a lignin peroxidase gene from Phanerochaete chrysosporium

We have been investigating the structure and regulation of the lignin peroxidase genes from Phanerochaete chrysosporium. The gene for lignin peroxidase isozyme H8 was isolated and sequenced. The gene is split into nine exons and eight introns. The introns have consensus sequences both at the splice junctions and at an internal element which may be involved in the splicing mechanism. The promoter contains the eukaryotic consensus elements: a TATA box at -78 and a ACAAT box at -106. Transcription initiates downstream from these sequences as verified by S1 nuclease mapping. Induction of the genes for the lignin peroxidase isozymes during growth under nitrogen and under carbon limitation were compared by analyses of RNA and protein. The results indicate that the lignin peroxidase isozymes are differentially regulated in response to environmental stress.