Hirschioporus abietinus Laccase: Cloning, Heterologous Expression, Characterization and Solvent Tolerance Evaluation

Laccases are versatile biocatalysts with broad industrial relevance. Their heterologous expression enables efficient production, purification, and functional optimization. The white-rot fungus <i>Hirschioporus abietinus</i> produces an effective extracellular laccase (Lac2), inspiring the identification and cloning of its encoding gene. To enable high and stable enzyme production, the gene was expressed in <i>Pichia pastoris</i> and the cultivation conditions for the selected variant were optimized to enhance the yield of recombinant laccase. The Lac2 was then purified and its biochemical properties characterized. The high-redox potential laccase Lac2 exhibited strong tolerance to common metal ions and maintained catalytic activity in the presence of a range of organic solvents. Overall, the results suggest that Lac2 possesses properties compatible with small-scale production and effective use in biosensor systems.