Selective Cleavage of Lignin β-<i>O</i>-4 Aryl Ether Bond by β-Etherase of the White-Rot Fungus <i>Dichomitus squalens</i>

Abstract

4 aryl ether bond of a dimeric lignin model compound in a glutathione-dependent reaction. Ds-GST1 also demonstrated activity on polymeric synthetic lignin fractions, shown by a decrease in molecular weight distribution of the laccase-oxidized guaiacyl dehydrogenation polymer. In addition to a possible role of Ds-GST1 in intracellular catabolism of lignin-derived aromatic compounds, the cleavage of the most abundant linkages in lignin under mild reaction conditions makes this biocatalyst an attractive green alternative in biotechnological applications.