Molecular cloning and characterization of a peroxiredoxin from Phanerochaete chrysosporium

Peroxiredoxins (Prxs) are a ubiquitous family of peroxidases widely distributed among prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Here, we report on the cloning and functional characterization of a cDNA designated PcPrx-1, encoding peroxiredoxin from the white-rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium. The full-length PcPrx-1 cDNA (932 bp) contains an open reading frame of 200 amino acid residues with a molecular mass of 22.1 kDa. The deduced primary structure of PcPrx-1 polypeptide shows a high level of sequence identity to other recently identified 2-cys peroxiredoxins. The recombinant PcPrx-1 protein was expressed as a histidine fusion protein in Escherichia coli and purified with a Ni2+-column. The purified protein was shown to have a protective effect against plasmid DNA cleavage by reactive oxygen species. The PcPrx-1 protein displays the ability to remove H2O2 in a ferrithiocyanate system. The results of this study suggest that PcPrx-1 may play a protective role against oxidative stress in P. chrysosporium.