Mechanism of monolignol biotransformation by Rhus laccases in water-miscible organic solutions.

Several important monolignols such as coniferyl alcohol were catalyzed using Rhus laccase (RL) from Rhus vernicifera in a water/acetone solution. The enzymatic mechanism is discussed in detail. Sites 6, ß, and phenolic oxygen were the main active sites of phenylpropanoid compounds, which were first oxidized by the enzyme and then radicalized. RL was also responsible for lignin biosynthesis, especially in the early stage.