Lignin peroxidase from the basidiomycete Phanerochaete chrysosporium is synthesized as a preproenzyme

The cDNA clone L18 encoding lignin peroxidase LiP2, the most highly expressed LiP isozyme from Phanerochaete chrysosporium strain OGC101, was isolated and sequenced. Comparison of the cDNA sequence with the N-terminal sequence of the mature LiP2 protein isolated from culture medium suggests that the mature protein contains 343 amino acids (aa) and is preceded by a 28-aa leader sequence. In vitro transcription followed by in vitro translation and processing by signal peptidase resulted in cleavage at a site following the Ala21 (counted from the N-terminal Met1 of the initial translation product). The resultant protein contains a 7-aa propeptide, indicating that LiP is synthesized as a preproenzyme.