Lignin-associated metagene expression in a lignocellulose-digesting termite

► Termites convert lignocellulose into fermentable monosaccharides and metabolic intermediates with help from gut symbionts. ► However, the enzymatic processes involved specifically in lignin degradation and modification remain mostly unknown. ► This research took hypothesis-driven “omics” approaches to investigate how termites cope with their lignin-rich diets. ► Our results reveal novel host termite genes and proteins linked to lignin feeding and xenobiotic defense in termite guts. ► Results also reveal enzyme cocktails and candidate lignases that can enable more efficient industrial biomass processing.