Function
Manganese peroxidase (MnP) catalyzes the conversion of Mn+2 to Mn+3 using hydrogen peroxide. MnP contains a heme group and needs calcium ion for activity. MnP is involved in lignin degradation. MnP is produced by wood-rotting fungi[1]. Ceriporiopsis subvermispora expresses 3 genes of MnP: a short, long and extralong.
Relevance
Mn+3 in a chelated form is a powerful oxidizing agent which is able to mineralize lignin to CO2.
Structural highlights
The Mn binding site of MnP contains the heme group which coordinates with the ion. The heme group is coordinated mostly by aromatic side chains[2].
