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A Novel Laccase with Potent Antiproliferative and HIV-1 Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitory Activities from Mycelia of Mushroom Coprinus comatus

Summary

Scientists isolated an enzyme called laccase from the edible shaggy mane mushroom that shows promising anti-cancer and anti-HIV properties. This research is significant because it identifies a naturally-occurring protein that could potentially be developed into new therapeutic treatments. Impacts on everyday life: • Provides a new potential source for developing cancer treatments • Identifies a natural compound that could help fight HIV • Demonstrates additional health benefits of an edible mushroom species • Shows how common fungi can be sources of beneficial medical compounds • Offers a sustainable way to produce potentially therapeutic proteins through mushroom cultivation

Background

Laccases are enzymes belonging to polyphenol oxidases that play a key role in lignin degradation. They can oxidate various phenolic and inorganic compounds using molecular oxygen as an electron acceptor. While first reported in plants, laccases are widely distributed across plants, fungi, insects and bacteria. Coprinus comatus is an edible mushroom commonly known as lawyer’s wig or shaggy mane, often cultivated in Asian countries. Previous studies have shown its extracts possess antitumor and immunomodulatory activities.

Objective

To purify and characterize a novel laccase enzyme from Coprinus comatus mycelia and study its properties and potential applications. The researchers aimed to isolate the enzyme and examine its molecular characteristics, enzymatic properties, and biological activities.

Results

A novel 64 kDa monomeric laccase was successfully purified with unique N-terminal sequence AIGPVADLKV. The enzyme showed optimal activity at pH 2.0 and 60°C with Km value of 1.59 mM towards ABTS substrate. It demonstrated potent antiproliferative activity against HepG2 and MCF7 tumor cells with IC50 values of 3.46μM and 4.95μM respectively, and inhibited HIV-1 reverse transcriptase with IC50 of 5.85μM.

Conclusion

A novel laccase with distinctive properties was isolated from C. comatus mycelia. The enzyme possesses both antiproliferative activity against tumor cells and inhibitory activity toward HIV-1 reverse transcriptase, suggesting its potential as an antipathogenic protein. Its production through liquid fermentation makes it readily obtainable for potential therapeutic applications.
  • Published in:BioMed Research International,
  • Study Type:Laboratory Research,
  • Source: 10.1155/2014/417461
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