Prevalence and specificity of Baeyer–Villiger monooxygenases in fungi

A screening of a hundred fungi from three phyla revealed that Baeyer–Villiger monooxygenases (BVMO) are quasi-ubiquitous enzymes. Statistical analyses showed that bicyclo[3.2.0]heptenone biotransformation profiles are partly related to the taxonomic classification and suggest that the BVMOs from Zygomycota present original features. [Display omitted] •We researched Baeyer–Villiger monooxygenase activity in fungi.•We screened 107 fungal strains from three phyla.•80% of tested fungi are positive for BVMO activity.•We defined 3 substrate profiles partly related to the taxonomic classification.•BVMOs from Zygomycetes may present original features. Out of 107 fungal strains belonging to three phyla (Ascomycota, Basidiomycota and Zygomycota) and 46 genera, 86 exhibited Baeyer–Villiger monooxygenase (BVMO) activity against racemic bicyclo[3.2.0]heptenone. The strains were classified into three “profiles” based on regio- and enantioselectivity. Statistical analyses of our results, extended by literature data, showed that these profiles could be related to the taxonomic classification of the strains, and suggest that the BVMOs from the Zygomycota phylum may be different in their primary structures from established ones.