LIGNIN DEGRADING ENZYMES FROM MACROPHOMINA PHASEOLINA AND USES THEREOF

The present invention relates to the field of plant breeding and disease resistance in respect of lignin degradation by Macrophomina phaseolina ("M. phaseolina"). Disclosed are isolated polynucleotides encoding the lignin degrading enzymes produced by Macrophomina phaseolina, or the complement of such sequences. Also disclosed are isolated polypeptides encoded by various polynucleotide sequences; a recombinant gene construct comprising a polynucleotide; a transformant and a transgenic fungus comprising the recombinant gene construct, having enhanced production of lignin degrading enzyme. Further disclosed are polypeptides having an oligomerase activity, e.g., enzymes that convert recalcitrant soluble oligomerase to fermentable sugar in saccharification process of biomass.