A recombinant laccase from Trametes versicolor in Pichia methanolica was produced constitutively in a defined medium. The recombinant laccase was purified using ultrafiltration, anion-exchange chromatography, and gel filtration. The molecular weight of the purified laccase was estimated as 64 kDa by SDS-PAGE. The purified recombinant laccase decolorized more than 90% of Remazol Brilliant Blue R (RBBR) initially at 80 mg l(-1) after 16 h at 45 degrees C and pH 5 when 25 U laccase ml(-1) was used. The purified recombinant laccase could efficiently decolorize RBBR without additional redox mediators.