Two closely linked lignin peroxidase (LPO)-encoding genes (lpo) from
Phanerochaete chrysosporium were isolated. Nucleotide sequence studies
indicated that the two genes are separated by 1.3 kb of flanking DNA and
transcribed in opposite directions. Cloned P. chrysosporium lpo gene
probes have been shown to hybridize to multiple sequences present in the
DNAs of the white-rot fungi, Bjerkandera adusta, Coriolus versicolor
and Fomes lignosus, but no hybridization was detected with DNA from
Pleurotus ostreatus. Thus, lpo gene families appear to be common in a
number of lignin-degrading basidiomycetes, some of which have not yet
been shown to produce LPO proteins.