Open AccessAryl alcohols in the physiology of ligninolytic fungi
Author(s) -
Jong Ed,
Field Jim A.,
Bont Jan A.M.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
fems microbiology reviews
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.91
H-Index - 212
eISSN - 1574-6976
pISSN - 0168-6445
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6976.1994.tb00041.x
Subject(s) - lignin , extracellular , enzyme , aryl , biochemistry , peroxidase , biology , organic chemistry , chemistry , alkyl
White‐rot fungi have a versatile machinery of enzymes which work in harmony with secondary aryl alcohol metabolites to degrade the recalcitrant, aromatic biopolymer lignin. This review will focus on the important physiological roles of aryl (veratryl, anisyl and chlorinated anisyl) alcohols in the ligninolytic enzyme system. Their functions include stabilization of lignin peroxidase, charge‐transfer reactions and as substrate for oxidases generating extracellular H 2 0 2 . The aryl alcohol/aldehyde couple is well protected against degradation by the fungi's extracellular ligninolytic enzymes and their concentrations in the extracellular fluid are highly regulated by intracellular enzymes.