Generation of Species Specific DNA Probes for the Lignin Peroxidase Genes of White Rot Fungi

White rot fungi are the only known organisms capable of completely degrad- ing lignin to CO₂ and H₂ O (see Chapter 1). Lignin, a complex three-dimen- sional molecule, is the most abundant aromatic polymer in the biosphere and IS responsible for providing structural support to woody plants. The irregular non- repeating nature of the lignin polymer renders it very resistant to biodegrada- tion because most microorganisms do not possess enzyme systems that are capable of degrading molecules that lack structural and stereo regularity. Given the structure of lignin, a nonspecific attack to depolymerlse the molecule 1s necessary.