Two polyphenol oxidases (EC 1.14.18.1), P-l and P-2, were purified as electrophoretically homogeneous proteins from the culture filtrate of Trametes sp. MS39401 by acetone precipitation and column chromatographies on DEAE-Sephadex A-50, Sephadex G-150 and hydroxylapatite. P-l was purified 34-fold with a yield of 4.2%, while P-2 was purified 37-fold with a yield of 20.7%. The molecular masses of P-l and P-2 were estimated to be 61 kDa and 90 kDa, respectively, by gel filtration. The isoelectric points of P-l and P-2 were 3.4 and 2.7, respectively. The optimum pH range of both enzymes was 4.5-5.0 at 45 degrees C. The optimum temperature of both enzymes was 55 degrees C at pH 5.0. P-l was stable at pH 5.0-7.5 and temperatures up to 60 degrees C. P-2 was stable at pH 3.0-7.5 and temperatures up to 50 degrees C. The thermostability of P-l was comparable to that of the PM1 laccase of basidiomycetes, which was reported to be the most stable among basidiomycete laccases. Both enzymes were active toward various phenolic compounds and aminophenols. However, they lacked activity toward L-tyrosine. The K-m, values for (+)-catechin were 0.19 mM for P-l and 0.67 mM for P-2. Both enzymes were appreciably inactivated by Hg2+ and Sn2+. Significant activation of neither enzyme was observed in the presence of metal ions and reagents. Both enzymes were significantly inhibited by copper-chelating agents, reducing agents and N-bromosuccinimide. Carbon monoxide caused appreciable inactivation of neither enzyme, so it is suggested that P-l and P-2 belong to the group of laccases.