Enzymology and molecular genetics of the ligninolytic system of the basidiomycete ceriporiopsis subvermispora

Lignin, the most abundant renewable source of aromatic carbon on earth, consists in a highly irregular three-dimensional biopolymer of oxygenated phenylpropanoid units. In natural environments, lignin is only degraded efficiently by some fungi belonging to the group of basidiomycetes. These microorganisms secrete an array of oxidases and peroxidases for this purpose, which may be produced in various combinations. This article summarizes our studies on a particular strain called Ceriporiopsis subvermispora, a fungus which is highly agressive towards lignin when growing on wood.