Catalysis of novel enzymatic iodide oxidation by fungal laccase

A fungal laccase (Myceliophthom thermophila) has been shown to function as an iodide oxidase. Unlike other halides which interact with the type 2 copper site and are inhibitors for the laccase, iodide interacts with the type 1 copper site and serves as a substrate capable of donating an electron to the laccase. Under anaerobic conditions, the interaction between the laccase and iodide results in the reduction of the laccase type 1 copper and the concomitant oxidation of iodide to form iodide. In aerated solutions, the laccase catalyzes the oxidation of iodide to iodine and the concomitant reduction of dioxygen to water. The reaction exhibits typical Michaelis kinetics with aK _m of 0.16 ± 0.02M and ak _cat of 2.7 ± 0.2 turnovers per min at the optimal pH (3.4). The catalysis can be enhanced by 2,2′-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenz-thiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), which shuttles electrons rapidly between iodide and the laccase. Bilirubin oxidase also demonstrates significant iodide oxidase activity, suggesting that the property could be a common feature for copper-containing oxidases. Possible industrial and medicinal applications for a laccase-based iodine production system are discussed.