title: Laccases and other polyphenol oxidases in ecto- and ericoid mycorrhizal fungi.
abstract: Polyphenol oxidases are known to be produced by a range of ectomycorrhizal (ECM) and ericoid mycorrhizal fungi. These enzymes include laccase (EC 1.10.3.2), catechol oxidase (EC 1.10.3.1) and tyrosinase (EC 1.14.18.1), between which there exists considerable overlap in substrate affinities. In this review we consider the nature and function of these enzymes, along with the difficulties associated with assigning precise enzymatic descriptions. The evidence for production of laccase and other polyphenol oxidases by ECM and ericoid mycorrhizal fungi is critically assessed and their potential significance to the mycorrhizal symbioses discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomolecular Sciences, UMIST, PO Box 88, Manchester, M60 1QD, UK.
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Burke
authors.forename: J W G
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Cairney
mesh_terms: D001203:Ascomycota / Q000201:enzymology; D004156:Catechol Oxidase / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D042845:Laccase; D008031:Lignin / Q000378:metabolism; D025282:Mycelium / Q000201:enzymology / Q000254:growth & development; D038821:Mycorrhizae / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000254:growth & development; D010088:Oxidoreductases / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D013559:Symbiosis
chemical_list: D008031:Lignin; D010088:Oxidoreductases; D004156:Catechol Oxidase; D042845:Laccase