Substrate promiscuity of fungi generated enzyme Laccase shows potential in degrading industrial dye effluents

Source: The post is based on the article “Substrate promiscuity of fungi generated enzyme Laccase shows potential in degrading industrial dye effluents” published in PIB on 20th March 2023

What is the News?

Researchers from S. N. Bose National Center for Basic Sciences (SNBNCBS), Kolkata have tested the efficacy of the laccase enzyme in degrading some standard dye molecules.

What is Laccase?

Laccase is an enzyme generated by a group of fungi. It is known for its capacity to degrade various organic molecules.

It contains 4 copper atoms in two different oxidation states. It degrades substrates through redox reactions, producing only water and the simplest non-virulent or less virulent oxides of carbon, nitrogen and sulphur.  

What have the researchers found about Laccase?

Laccase has been found capable of degrading a variety of hazardous organic dye molecules that are regularly drained into water bodies after dying clothes in the textile industry. 

This observed characteristic which the scientists termed substrate promiscuity can have deep implications in designing enzyme-coated cassettes for treating heavily dye-polluted water through a natural solution to make the environment greener.

What is Enzyme promiscuity?

Enzyme promiscuity is defined as the capability of an enzyme to catalyze a reaction other than the reaction for which it has been specialized.

Although the enzyme is known for its specificity, many enzymes are reported to be promiscuous.