Tandem lignin peroxidase genes of the fungus Trametes versicolor.

A DNA fragment containing two lignin peroxidase genes (LPG I and LPG II) has been isolated from a genomic library of the white-rot fungus Trametes versicolor. The genes are separated by 2.2 kbp and have the same direction of transcription. Conserved elements preceding the translation start have been identified. In addition to the TATA box, a stretch of 11 identical nucleotides is found 23-24 bp downstream of the TATA box. The putative mature peroxidases encoded by LPG I and LPG II are 87% identical in amino acid sequence. Both are preceded by two basic residues, also observed in lignin peroxidases from Phanerochaete chrysosporium. Strong evidence suggests that LPG I encodes a quantitatively dominant lignin peroxidase isozyme (TvLP12), whereas the product of LPF II has not been identified so far.