Activities of ligninase in Odontotermes formosanus (Isoptera: Termitidae) and its symbiotic fungus.

摘要

Fungus-growing termites play important roles in biorecycling of lignin through their symbiotic fungi of the genus Termitomyces. In this study, we examined a series of ligninases, including laccase, lignin peroxidase and manganese peroxidase in materials from a colony of Odontotermes formosanus. Only laccase activity was detected in the symbiotic fungus, fungus comb and alimentary tract of workers of O. formosanus. The laccase activities in descending order were as follows: symbiotic fungus > fungus comb > worker alimentary tracts. The activity of laccase was strongly inhibited by DTT, sodium fluoride and L-cysteine. Crude laccase from the symbiotic fungus exhibited high activity at a low pH value and high temperature. The results suggest that the symbiotic Termitomyces fungus takes part in lignin degradation of plant litter through secreting laccase in fungus combs in colonies of O. formosanus.