A novel L-phenylalanine oxidase gene from a species of mushroom Coprinopsis cinereus was cloned. With L-amino acid oxidase from Hebeloma cylindrosporuin, which is the closest one, it shared only 30.6% sequence identity. This recombinant protein was expressed in Escherichia colt, purified and biochemically characterized. It contained 778 amino acids and was quite different compared with all previously studied enzymes. This enzyme exhibited highest specific activity of 6.04 U/mg to wards L-phenylalanine and the optimal pH, temperature of the enzyme catalyzed reaction were 8.5 and 45 degrees C. The enzyme was stable up to 55 degrees C within pH range 7.0-9.5. It could oxidize L-phenylalanine to phenylpyruvic acid at high titer (8.1 0.1 g/L), conversion ratio (97.4 +/- 0.2%) and productivity.(1.02 +/- 0.01 g/L h) within 8 h. More importantly, it specifically catalyzed the oxidation of L-phenylalanine with racemic NuLL,L-phenylalanine mixture as substrate. In general, these properties rendered it a useful catalyst in several industrial manufacturers.