The ligninase of Phanerochaete chrysosporium generates cation radicals from methoxybenzenes

P. J. Kersten, M. Tien, B. Kalyanaraman, T. K. Kirk

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

293 Scopus citations

Abstract

The hemoprotein ligninase of Phanerochaete chrysosporium catalyzes, in the presence of H2O2, a variety of seemingly different oxidations in lignin and lignin model compounds. Here we show that the enzyme also catalyzes the oxidation of various methoxybenzenes. ESR spectroscopy shows that the compounds are oxidized to aryl cation radicals. These decompose, evidently by H2O addition. Thus 1,4-dimethoxybenzene is converted to p-benzoquinone and methanol. We propose a unified mechanism, based on formation of aryl cation radicals, to explain the various reactions catalyzed by the ligninase.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2609-2612
Number of pages4
JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry
Volume260
Issue number5
StatePublished - 1985

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The ligninase of Phanerochaete chrysosporium generates cation radicals from methoxybenzenes'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this