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Lignin-modifying enzyme
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<p>Lignin-modifying enzymes (LMEs) are various types of <a href="/facts/Enzyme/DSI1Fh7y">enzymes</a> produced by <a href="/facts/Fungus/BHo5DP59">fungi</a> and <a href="/facts/Bacteria/wC8xSCsU">bacteria</a> that catalyze the breakdown of <a href="/facts/Lignin/CdaxpB3b">lignin</a>, a <a href="/facts/Biopolymer/GaCwr4EY">biopolymer</a> commonly found in the <a href="/facts/Cell_wall/DYXJVrnw">cell walls</a> of <a href="/facts/Plant/X5BMDMvS">plants</a>. The terms ligninases and lignases are older names for the same class, but the name "lignin-modifying enzymes" is now preferred, given that these enzymes are not <a href="/facts/Hydrolysis/JTvwIHPs">hydrolytic</a> but rather <a href="/facts/Redox/Pyd5RVcj">oxidative</a> (electron withdrawing) by their enzymatic mechanisms. LMEs include <a href="/facts/Peroxidase/pEgHpmCV">peroxidases</a>, such as <a href="/facts/Lignin_peroxidase/PUw6oCIj">lignin peroxidase</a> (<a href="/facts/Enzyme_Commission_number/Y5GNLRKX">EC</a> <a href="https://enzyme.expasy.org/EC/1.11.1.14">1.11.1.14</a>), <a href="/facts/Manganese_peroxidase/tIQ2qm61">manganese peroxidase</a> (<a href="/facts/Enzyme_Commission_number/Y5GNLRKX">EC</a> <a href="https://enzyme.expasy.org/EC/1.11.1.13">1.11.1.13</a>), <a href="/facts/Versatile_peroxidase/mKnaHvNK">versatile peroxidase</a> (<a href="/facts/Enzyme_Commission_number/Y5GNLRKX">EC</a> <a href="https://enzyme.expasy.org/EC/1.11.1.16">1.11.1.16</a>), and many <a href="/facts/Phenoloxidase/9vJr5m2c">phenoloxidases</a> of the <a href="/facts/Laccase/2aS7CyYE">laccase</a> type. </p><p>LMEs have been known to be produced by many species of white rot <a href="/facts/Basidiomycota/LuFeC7D2">basidiomycetous</a> fungi, including: <i><a href="/facts/Phanerochaete_chrysosporium/UKk4PSL5">Phanerochaete chrysosporium</a></i>, <i>Ceriporiopsis subvermispora</i>, <i><a href="/facts/Trametes_versicolor/vEUV8chD">Trametes versicolor</a></i>, <i><a href="/facts/Phlebia_radiata/tACDVzNP">Phlebia radiata</a></i>, <i><a href="/facts/Pleurotus_ostreatus/rdH2PBA2">Pleurotus ostreatus</a></i> and <i><a href="/facts/Pleurotus_eryngii/GJhphaSx">Pleurotus eryngii</a></i>. </p><p>LMEs are produced not only by wood-white rotting fungi but also by <a href="/facts/Saprotrophic_nutrition/sJkDfrJW">litter-decomposing</a> basidiomycetous fungi such as <i><a href="/facts/Agaricus_bisporus/SwXYFxzy">Agaricus bisporus</a></i> (common button mushroom), and many <i><a href="/facts/Coprinus/7Nx3uxco">Coprinus</a></i> and <i><a href="/facts/Agrocybe/aT8fAqLq">Agrocybe</a></i> species. The brown-rot fungi, which are able to colonize wood by degrading <a href="/facts/Cellulose/wYPafTU0">cellulose</a>, are only able to partially degrade lignin. </p><p>Some bacteria also produce LMEs, although fungal LMEs are more efficient in lignin degradation. Fungi are thought to be the most substantial contributors to lignin degradation in natural systems. </p><p>LMEs and <a href="/facts/Cellulase/B5ppt817">cellulases</a> are crucial to <a href="/facts/Ecology/YE8upuJU">ecologic</a> cycles (for example, growth/death/decay/regrowth, the <a href="/facts/Carbon_cycle/gVusRaPF">carbon cycle</a>, and <a href="/facts/Soil_health/mtvcFkhI">soil health</a>) because they allow plant tissue to be decomposed quickly, releasing the matter therein for reuse by new generations of <a href="/facts/Life/DNw7NUId">life</a>. LMEs are also crucial to a number of different industries. </p>