Laccase Substrates Research Articles

Pushing the limits of automatic computational protein design: design, expression, and characterization of a large synthetic protein based on a fungal laccase scaffold

The de novo engineering of new proteins will allow the design of complex systems in synthetic biology. But the design of large proteins is very challenging due to the large combinatorial sequence space to be explored and the lack of a suitable selection system to guide the evolution and optimization. One way to approach this challenge is to use computational design methods based on the current crystallographic data and on molecular mechanics. We have used a laccase protein fold as a scaffold to design a new protein sequence that would adopt a 3D conformation in solution similar to a wild-type protein, the Trametes versicolor (TvL) fungal laccase. Laccases are multi-copper oxidases that find utility in a variety of industrial applications. The laccases with highest activity and redox potential are generally secreted fungal glycoproteins. Prokaryotic laccases have been identified with some desirable features, but they often exhibit low redox potentials. The designed sequence (DLac) shares a 50% sequence identity to the original TvL protein. The new DLac gene was overexpressed in E. coli and the majority of the protein was found in inclusion bodies. Both soluble protein and refolded insoluble protein were purified, and their identity was verified by mass spectrometry. Neither protein exhibited the characteristic T1 copper absorbance, neither bound copper by atomic absorption, and neither was active using a variety of laccase substrates over a range of pH values. Circular dichroism spectroscopy studies suggest that the DLac protein adopts a molten globule structure that is similar to the denatured and refolded native fungal TvL protein, which is significantly different from the natively secreted fungal protein. Taken together, these results indicate that the computationally designed DLac expressed in E. coli is unable to utilize the same folding pathway that is used in the expression of the parent TvL protein or the prokaryotic laccases. This sequence can be used going forward to help elucidate the sequence requirements needed for prokaryotic multi-copper oxidase expression. The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s11693-011-9080-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Bacillus pumiluslaccase: a heat stable enzyme with a wide substrate spectrum

BackgroundLaccases are multi-copper oxidases that catalyze the one electron oxidation of a broad range of compounds. Laccase substrates include substituted phenols, arylamines and aromatic thiols. Such compounds are activated by the enzyme to the corresponding radicals. Owing to their broad substrate range laccases are considered to be versatile biocatalysts which are capable of oxidizing natural and non-natural industrial compounds, with water as sole by-product.ResultsA novel CotA-type laccase from Bacillus pumilus was cloned, expressed and purified and its biochemical characteristics are presented here. The molecular weight of the purified laccase was estimated to be 58 kDa and the enzyme was found to be associated with four copper atoms. Its catalytic activity towards 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS), 2,6-dimethoxyphenol (2,6-DMP) and syringaldazine (SGZ) was investigated. The kinetic parameters KM and kcat for ABTS were 80 ± 4 μM and 291 ± 2.7 s-1, for 2,6-DMP 680 ± 27 μM and 11 ± 0.1 s-1 and for SGZ only kcat could be estimated to be 66 ± 1.5 s-1. The pH optimum for ABTS was 4, for 2,6-DMP 7 and for SGZ 6.5 and temperature optima for ABTS and 2,6-DMP were found to be around 70°C. The screening of 37 natural and non-natural compounds as substrates for B. pumilus laccase revealed 18 suitable compounds. Three of them served as redox mediators in the laccase-catalyzed decolorization of the dye indigocarmine (IC), thus assessing the new enzyme's biotechnological potential.ConclusionsThe fully copper loaded, thermostable CotA laccase from Bacillus pumilus is a versatile laccase with potential applications as an industrial biocatalyst.

Isolation and Dye Decolorization of a <i>Bacillus subtilis</i> Strain LS02 Exhibiting Laccase Activity

A newly isolated strain LS02 was estimated for its ability in dye decolorization. The LS02 strain was identified as Bacillus subtilis by the combination of physicochemical tests and 16S rDNA sequence analysis. The isolated strain could oxidize the laccase substrate syringaldazine, indicating the existence of laccase activity. B. subtilis LS02 grown well in the pH range of 5.0~9.0, and showed an optimum growth temperature at 37°C. Indigo carmine could be completely decolorized by B. subtilis LS02 after 4 days, whereas Remazol Brilliant Blue R, reactive black 5 and crystal violet were poorly decolorized. The result indicated that the laccase of B. subtilis LS02 may be suitable for the application in textile bleaching of indigo carmine.

One-copper laccase-related enzyme from Marasmius sp.: Purification, characterization and bleaching of textile dyes

In the culture filtrate of a Marasmius sp. strain isolated in Indonesia during a screening for fungi with the ability to decolorize textile dyes, two laccase-related enzymes (laccase-related enzyme I and II) were detected. Laccase-related enzyme I was purified to homogeneity by ion exchange and hydrophobic interaction chromatography. The native enzyme was shown to have a molecular mass of 53kDa, an N-terminal amino acid sequence characteristically seen in laccases and an isoelectric point of pH 3.8. The enzyme accepts typical laccase substrates including 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS), syringaldazine and guaiacol, but has no tyrosinase activity. The pH optimum is at pH 3.0 for ABTS and at 6.0 for syringaldazine and the enzyme is stable up to pH 10. The UV/vis spectrum of the laccase-related enzyme is non-typical for laccases and metal content analysis revealed that the enzyme contains only a single copper atom per enzyme molecule. This suggests that this enzyme could be related to the group of the so-called “white” laccases, however, no zinc or any other metal ion could be detected in this enzyme, suggesting that the enzyme is a unique laccase-related enzyme. Comparison of the bleaching activity of the whole fungus with that of the isolated laccase-related enzyme showed that this enzyme is the major bleaching enzyme produced by this Marasmius sp. strain and was able to bleach violet, red, orange and yellow dyes in addition to a number of blue dyes.

Isolation and partial characterization of phenol oxidases from Mangifera indica L. sap (latex)

Mango sap (latex), a by-product in mango industry, was separated into upper non-aqueous phase and lower aqueous phase. Aqueous phase contains very low protein (4.3 mg/ml) but contains high specific activities for peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase. The aqueous phase of sap was subjected to ion-exchange chromatography on DEAE-Sephacel. The bound protein was separated into three enzyme peaks: peak I showed peroxidase activity, peak II showed polyphenol oxidase activity and peak III showed activities against substrates of peroxidase as well as polyphenol oxidase. On native PAGE and SDS-PAGE, each peak showed a single band. Based on the substrate specificity and inhibitor studies peak III was identified as laccase. Although they showed variations in their mobility on native PAGE, these enzymes showed similar molecular weight of 100,000 ± 5000. These enzymes exhibited maximum activity at pH 6 however, polyphenol oxidase showed good activity even in basic pH. Peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase showed stability up to 70 °C while laccase was found to be stable up to 60 °C. Syringaldazine was the best substrate for laccase while catechol was the best for polyphenol oxidase. Thus, mango sap a by-product in mango industry is a good source of these phenol oxidases.

Purification and biochemical characterization of extracellular laccase from the ascomycete Paraconiothyrium variabile

An extracellular laccase-producing ascomycete was isolated from soil and identified as Paraconiothyrium variabile using rDNA sequence analysis. Typical laccase substrates including 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonate) (ABTS), 2,6-dimethoxyphenol (DMP), and guaiacol were oxidized by the purified enzyme (designated as PvL). The molecular mass of PvL was 84 kDa and it showed a pI value of 4.2. The enzyme acted optimally at pH 4.8 and exhibited an optimum temperature of 50 °C. Using ABTS, PvL represented Km and Vmax of 203 μM and 40 μmol min(-1) mg(-1), respectively. After 24 h incubation at pH 4.8 and 4 °C, 80% of the initial activity of PvL remained. The enzyme was inhibited by Fe2+, Hg2+, and Mn2+, but induced by Cu2+. EDTA (10 mM), 1,4-dithiothreitol (DTT) (0.1 mM), and NaN3 (10 mM) were found to completely inhibit PvL. Sixty-eight percent of Malachite green was decolorized by 4 U/mL of PvL after 15 min incubation at 30 °C.

Molecular and structural modeling of the Phanerochaete flavido-alba extracellular laccase reveals its ferroxidase structure

The fungus Phanerochaete flavido-alba is highly efficient in the oxidation of olive oil wastewater-derived polyphenols. This capability is largely due to the action of a multicopper-oxidase (MCO), encoded by the pfaL gene. We describe the sequence and organization of pfaL gene and the biochemical characterization and predicted 3D structural model of the encoded protein. pfaL gene organization and peptide sequence are highly similar to those of P. chrysosporium MCOs. However, PfaL is the first MCO in the Phanerochaete genus to show evident laccase activity. Phylogenetic analysis places PfaL in a differentiated sub-branch of ferroxidases. Protein structure analysis reveals close similarity of PfaL and ferroxidases and provides clues about the differences of activity between both types of enzymes. To summarize, P. flavido-alba laccase is the first enzyme in the novel and biochemically poorly defined group of "ferroxidases/laccases" that shows efficacious oxidation of laccase substrates, biotechnologically exploitable in bioremediation approaches.

A novel laccase with urate oxidation activity from Lysobacter sp. T-15

A unique urate-oxidizing enzyme was identified in a bacterium, strain T-15. Based on its phylogenetic, physiological and biochemical properties, strain T-15 was deemed to be a novel species within the genus Lysobacter. The enzyme expressed in Lysobacter sp. T-15 was composed of 592 amino acids and contained four consensus copper-binding sites, and the recombinant enzyme was, at least in this study, speculated to have three Cu ions per subunit. The primary structure of the enzyme was 33% identical to Marinomonas mediterranea polyphenol oxidase, but it showed no significant similarity to any known urate oxidase. With urate as the substrate, the catalytic efficiency (k(cat)/K(m)) of recombinant enzyme was 4.0 × 10(2) s(-)(1)mM(-)(1), and it was not inhibited by xanthine, a strong urate oxidase inhibitor. The enzyme also showed activity toward 2,2'-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid), 2,6-dimethoxyphenol and bilirubin, with catalytic efficiencies of 4.9 × 10(2), 1.1 × 10(2) and 3.6 × 10(3) s(-)(1)mM(-)(1), respectively. We deemed the enzyme would be a member of laccase from its broad substrate specificity. However, typical laccase and other multi-copper oxidases such as bilirubin oxidase and ascorbate oxidase seldom exhibit urate oxidation activity. These results would expand the laccase substrate range to include urate.

Poly- o-aminophenol as a laccase mediator and influence of the enzyme on the polymer electrodeposition

Applicability of poly-o-aminophenol (POAP) as a redox mediator for fungal laccase is investigated. Laccase has been entrapped by means of electrochemical polymerization. The obtained layers have been characterized by cyclic voltammetry, as well as by spectroscopic methods. The enzyme activity has been verified by the standard test using syringaldazine. Laccase immobilized in the POAP matrix catalyses oxygen reduction without any additional mediators. POAP is able to mediate the electron transfer between the enzyme active site and the electrode surface similarly to poly-o-phenylenediamine which has been studied previously, but its redox potential is shifted significantly towards positive values. The role of laccase in electrodeposition of POAP has been studied. It has been found that the presence of the enzyme influences the structure of electrodeposited films. Furthermore, laccase facilitates the electrodeposition. The monomer-o-aminophenol (OAP) belongs to typical laccase substrates. The polymer can be precipitated from the solution containing the monomer and laccase. The morphology of POAP formed by laccase differs from typical polymer samples synthesized chemically or electrochemically. It contains round microstructures composed of nano-needles. Laccase is therefore a promising polymerization initiator for synthesis of nanostructured conducting polymers.

Covalent immobilisation of protease and laccase substrates onto siloxanes

Immobilisation of enzyme substrates is a powerful tool in the detection of enzymes in the chemosphere and the environment. A siloxane based strategy for the covalent immobilisation of oxidoreductase and protease substrates was developed involving activation of silica gel and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) as model carriers with (3-aminopropyl)-triethoxysilane or (3-mercaptopropyl)-trimethoxysilane (APTS, MPTS). Ferulic acid and l-Leucine-p-nitroanilide, Gly-Phe p-nitroanilide (GPpNA) and N-Succinyl-Ala-Ala-Pro-Leu p-nitroanilide (SAAPLpNA) as laccase and protein substrates, respectively, were covalently attached using glutaraldehyde or carbodiimide based cross-linking strategies. In contrast to conversion in solution, immobilised SAAPLpNA was hydrolysed much faster by protease than immobilised GPpNA indicating steric hindrance with decreasing chain length between point of attachment and site of enzyme attack. Immobilised ferulic acid was oxidised by laccase both in case of MPTS and APTS-modified silica gel giving clearly visible colour changes with ΔE values of 7.2 and 2.3, respectively after 24h of incubation, where ΔE describes the distance between two colours. Similarly, clearly visible colour changes with a ΔE value of 8.6 were seen after laccase treatment of ferulic acid immobilised on APTS activated PET as carrier. Limited surface hydrolysis of PET with a cutinase enhanced coupling of APTS and ferulic acid due to a larger number of hydroxyl groups available on the surface and consequently led to a higher colour difference of ΔE=12.2 after laccase oxidation. The covalent coupling product between ferulic acid and 1,3-bis(3-aminopropyl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyldisiloxane was identified by LC–MS (M+1m/z601) and successfully oxidised with laccase.

Derivatization of the azole 1‐aminobenzotriazole using laccase of Pycnoporus cinnabarinus and Myceliophthora thermophila: influence of methanol on the reaction and biological evaluation of the derivatives

The laccases of Pycnoporus cinnabarinus and Myceliophthora thermophila are extracellular enzymes with high protein stability. They were used for the 'one pot' synthesis of azole derivatives from 1-aminobenzotriazole together with the p-dihydroxylated laccase substrates 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid methyl ester and 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid ethyl ester. The reactions yielded heteromolecular dimers (in yields of up to 34%). Methanol was used as the co-solvent to determine the influence of solvent concentration on the course of reaction. The resulting products were isolated, structurally characterized and tested for their antibacterial, antifungal and cytotoxic activities. The products showed low antimicrobial activity and low cytotoxicity compared with commercial available standard compounds but these variables exceeded those of the initial reactants used for the synthesis. In addition to the synthesis of heteromolecular dimers, oligomers were formed and structurally characterized by LC/MS (liquid chromatography/MS).

Enhanced expression of a recombinant bacterial laccase at low temperature and microaerobic conditions: purification and biochemical characterization

Laccases (benzenediol oxygen oxidoreductase; EC 1.10.3.2) have many biotechnological applications because of their oxidation ability towards a wide range of phenolic compounds. Within recent years, researchers have been highly interested in the identification and characterization of laccases from bacterial sources. In this study, we have isolated and cloned a gene encoding laccase (CotA) from Bacillus sp. HR03 and then expressed it under microaerobic conditions and decreased temperature in order to obtain high amounts of soluble protein. The laccase was purified and its biochemical properties were investigated using three common laccase substrates, 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS), syringaldazine (SGZ) and 2,6-dimethoxyphenol (2,6-DMP). K(M) and k(cat) were calculated 535 microM and 127 s(-1) for ABTS, 53 microM and 3 s(-1) for 2, 6-DMP and 5 microM and 20 s(-1) for SGZ when the whole reactions were carried out at room temperature. Laccase activity was also studied when the enzyme was preincubated at 70 and 80 degrees C. With SGZ as the substrate, the activity was increased three-fold after 50 min preincubation at 70 degrees C and 2.4-fold after 10 min preincubation at 80 degrees C. Preincubation of the enzyme in 70 degrees C for 30 min raised the activity four-fold with ABTS as the substrate. Also, L-dopa was used as a substrate. The enzyme was able to oxidize L-dopa with the K(M) and k(cat) of 1,493 microM and 194 s(-1), respectively.

Molecular cloning and characterization of a novel metagenome-derived multicopper oxidase with alkaline laccase activity and highly soluble expression

Lac591, a gene encoding a novel multicopper oxidase with laccase activity, was identified through activity-based functional screening of a metagenomic library from mangrove soil. Sequence analysis revealed that lac591 encodes a protein of 500 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of 57.4 kDa. Lac591 was overexpressed heterologously as soluble active enzyme in Escherichia coli and purified, giving rise to 380 mg of purified enzyme from 1 l induced culture, which is the highest expression report for bacterial laccase genes so far. Furthermore, the recombinant enzyme demonstrated activity toward classical laccase substrates syringaldazine (SGZ), guaiacol, and 2, 6-dimethoxyphenol (2, 6-DMP). The purified Lac591 exhibited maximal activity at 55 degrees C and pH 7.5 with guaiacol as substrate and was found to be stable in the pH range of 7.0-10.0. The substrate specificity on different substrates was studied with the purified enzyme, and the optimal substrates were in the order of 2, 6-DMP > catechol > alpha-naphthol > guaiacol > SGZ > 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid). The alkaline activity and highly soluble expression of Lac591 make it a good candidate of laccases in industrial applications for which classical laccases are unsuitable, such as biobleaching of paper pulp and dyestuffs processing.

Comparing the efficiency of the laccase–NHA and laccase–HBT systems in eucalyptus pulp bleaching

Laccase–mediator systems have the disadvantage that the mediator is expensive and potentially toxic. In this work, we used N-hydroxyacetanilide (NHA) in combination with laccase for the first time to bleach eucalypt pulp and found it to be a very promising, advantageous alternative to 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (HBT) as mediator. Thus, NHA is efficiently oxidized by laccase to a radical that absorbs light at 350 nm. Also, NHA is a better substrate for laccase than is HBT. An innovative result is that the enzyme is inactivated to a similar extent by both mediators under the typical treatment conditions of the bleaching step (L). This adverse effect, however, is strongly reduced in the presence of pulp. Moreover, the laccase–NHA system is as efficient as the laccase–HBT system in reducing the kappa number of eucalyptus pulp. Using a xylanase pretreatment or unbleached pulp boosts kappa number reduction and bleaching with the laccase–mediator system. Based on the results of cyclic voltammetry tests, NHA has a slightly lower redox potential than HBT, which further supports use of the former; also, unlike HBT, NHA is oxidized in a reversible, pH-dependent manner. Interestingly, the laccase–NHA system provides more efficient bleaching of eucalyptus pulp at pH 5 than it does at pH 4.

Synthesis of model morpholine derivatives with biological activities by laccase‐catalysed reactions

The efficient enzyme-catalysed reaction of morpholines as model structures for bioactive compounds with para-dihydroxylated aromatic systems was carried out using the oxidoreductase laccase and atmospheric oxygen to produce eight novel morpholine-substituted aromatics. The laccase of Myceliophthora thermophila was used for cross-linking morpholines containing primary or secondary amino groups with para-dihydroxylated laccase substrates. We demonstrate that not only primary amino groups, but also secondary amino groups, are able to couple with para-dihydroxylated aromatic systems in laccase-catalysed reactions. The resulting model products (yields up to 80%) were isolated, structurally characterized and tested for their antibacterial, antifungal and cytotoxic activities. Four of the eight products showed low to moderate growth inhibition against several Gram-positive and -negative bacterial strains and against the yeasts Candida maltosa and Candida albicans. The antibacterial and antifungal activities were determined by an agar disc diffusion test and a modified method according to the EUCAST discussion document E.Dis 7.1 [Rodríguez-Tudela et al. (2003) Clin. Microbiol. Infect. 9, i-viii] for the evaluation of MIC (minimal inhibitory concentration). Differences in cytotoxicity against the human urinary bladder carcinoma cell line 5637 are discussed.

Laccases for removal of recalcitrant and emerging pollutants

Bioremediation of wastewater can be enhanced by the use of lignolytic enzymes such as laccases. Laccases oxidize, polymerize or transform phenolic or anthropogenic compounds to less toxic derivatives. Laccase substrates are diverse, and include phenols, dyes, pesticides, endocrine disrupters and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, some of which can be oxidized by extracellular fungal or bacterial laccase. Despite their enormous potential, the use of laccases for decontamination has so far usually been limited to the laboratory scale due to high enzyme production costs. The use of lignocellulosic waste material and/or wastewater as culture media for the growth of microorganisms producing laccase is gaining popularity, but is still low profile due to the ever-present challenges of this approach. The last two decades have seen the publication of numerous reviews on laccases; however, information on laccase properties and production parameters remains sketchy. Hence, a global overview of parameters affecting the biocatalysis of pollutants by laccases, particularly with regard to the economical production of these enzymes using synthetic media and waste materials, is timely.

Purification and characterization of a novel laccase from the ascomycete Trichoderma atroviride: Application on bioremediation of phenolic compounds

The extracellular laccase produced by the ascomycete Trichoderma atroviride was purified and characterized and its ability to transform phenolic compounds was determined. The purified laccase had activity towards typical substrates of laccases including 2,2′-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonate) (ABTS), dimethoxyphenol (2,6-DMP), syringaldazine and hydroquinone. The enzyme was a monomeric protein with an apparent molecular mass of 80 kDa and an isoelectric point of 3.5. The pH optima for the oxidation of ABTS and 2,6-DMP were 3 and 5, respectively, and the optimum temperature was 50 °C with 2,6-DMP. The laccase was stable at slightly acidic pH (4 and 5). It retained 80% of its activity after 4 h incubation at 40 °C. Under standard assay conditions, K m values of the enzyme were 2.5 and 1.6 mM towards ABTS and 2,6-DMP, respectively. This enzyme was able to oxidize aromatic compounds present in industrial and agricultural wastewater, as catechol and o-cresol, although the transformation of chlorinated phenols required the presence of ABTS as mediator.

On the Reactions of Two Fungal Laccases Differing in Their Redox Potential with Lignin Model Compounds: Products and Their Rate of Formation

Laccases (EC 1.10.3.2) are multicopper oxidases able to oxidize phenolic compounds such as lignin-related polyphenols. Since the discovery that so-called mediators effectively extend the family of laccase substrates, direct interactions between lignin-like materials and laccase have gained much less attention. In this work, the aim was to characterize oxidation products formed in direct laccase-catalyzed oxidation of different guaiacylic and syringylic lignin model compounds with two different laccases: a low redox potential Melanocarpus albomyces laccase and a high redox potential Trametes hirsuta laccase. By following the formation of different, mainly biphenylic (5-5) and benzylic oxidation products, it was found that although both of these enzymes generated practically the same pattern of products with particular types of syringyl and guaiacyl compounds, in some cases a clear difference in the rates of their formation was observed. The results also confirm further to the suggestions that syringylic compounds are able to act as mediators in their own oxidation reactions and also that in some instances acetylation of phenolic material may produce altered, unexpected structures.

Purification and characteristics of an enzyme with both bilirubin oxidase and laccase activities from mycelium of the basidiomycete Pleurotus ostreatus

A homogenous enzyme with both bilirubin oxidase and laccase activities was isolated from a submerged culture of the basidiomycete Pleurotus ostreatus mycelium and characterized. The yield of the enzyme was 127 microg/g dry biomass of the mycelium. The specific activity of the enzyme was 21 and 261 U/mg to bilirubin and to a laccase substrate ABTS, respectively. The intracellular phenol oxidase from the P. ostreatus mycelium was identified as bilirubin oxidase with the amino acid sequence highly homologous to that of the pox2 gene-encoded product. The enzyme displayed the maximal laccase activity at 50-55 degrees C to all substrates examined, whereas the pH optimum was substrate-dependent and changed from 3.0 for ABTS to 7.0 for syringaldazine and guaiacol. The enzyme maintained catalytic activity within a broad pH range but was inactivated at pH 4.0. The enzyme was thermostable but very sensitive to metal chelating inhibitors. Trypan Blue (5 mg/liter) was completely decolorizated upon 3 h of incubation with the bilirubin oxidase (20 mU/ml) at room temperature.

Purification and characterization of an extracellular laccase from a Pseudomonas sp. LBC1 and its application for the removal of bisphenol A

The Pseudomonas sp. LBC1 produced extracellular laccase when grown in the nutrient broth. The enzyme was purified using acetone precipitation and an anion-exchange chromatography. The molecular weight of the purified laccase was estimated as 70kDa by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. An enzyme showed maximum substrate specificity towards o-tolidine than other substrates of laccase including 2,2′-azinobis, 3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid, hydroquinone, N,N′-dimethyl phenylene diamine, syringic acid and veratryl alcohol. The optimum pH and temperature for the laccase activity were 4.0 and 40°C, respectively. Cyclic voltammogram revealed the redox potential of purified enzyme as 0.30V. The laccase was stable up to 40°C and within pH range 6.0–8.0. Sodium azide and EDTA strongly inhibited laccase activity. The purified laccase completely degraded the higher concentration of bisphenol A within 5h. Biodegradation metabolites of bisphenol A were characterized by using FTIR, HPLC and GC–MS.