Enhanced Fenton Reaction for Xenobiotic Compounds and Lignin Degradation Fueled by Quinone Redox Cycling by Lytic Polysaccharide Monooxygenases

The Fenton reaction is considered to be of great significance in the initial attack of lignocellulose in wood-decaying fungi. Quinone redox cycling is the main way to induce the Fenton reaction in fungi. We show that lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs), through LPMO-catalyzed oxidation of hydroquinone, can efficiently cooperate with glucose dehydrogenase (GDH) to achieve quinone redox cycling. The LPMO/GDH system can enhance Fe³⁺-reducing activity, H₂O₂ production, and hydroxyl radical generation, resulting in a fueled Fenton reaction. The system-generated hydroxyl radicals exhibited a strong capacity to decolorize different synthetic dyes and degrade lignin. Our results reveal a potentially critical connection between LPMOs and the Fenton reaction, suggesting that LPMOs could be involved in xenobiotic compound and lignin degradation in fungi. This new role of LPMOs may be exploited for application in biorefineries.