Involved in the initial step of rubber degradation (PubMed:22950008, PubMed:15638519, PubMed:18606806). Catalyzes the oxidative C-C cleavage of poly(cis-1,4-isoprene) in synthetic as well as in natural rubber by the addition of oxygen (O2) to the double bonds, leading to a mixture of oligonucleotide-isoprenoids with terminal keto and aldehyde groups (endo-type cleavage) (PubMed:25819959, PubMed:24907333). The cleavage products are of different lengths, ranging from C20 (four isoprene units) to higher oligo-isoprenoids (PubMed:24907333). Is not able to cleave low-molecular-weight substrate analogs with isoprenoid structure such as squalene (1,4-trans-isoprenoid), carotenoids, or alpha-tocopherol (PubMed:24907333). Binds 1 b-type heme group non-covalently per subunit. Optimum pH is 6-8. Shows a 3-fold higher specific activity at 37 degrees Celsius than at 25 degrees Celsius. Has a melting temperature of 61.5 degrees Celsius. Biopolymer metabolism. Weakly transcribed during growth on glucose. Strongly induced by poly(cis-1,4-isoprene). Exported by the Tat system. The position of the signal peptide cleavage has not been experimentally proven. Cells lacking this gene exhibit reduced growth in medium containing poly(cis-1,4-isoprene) as the sole carbon and energy source. Additionally, they show no detectable Lcp activity on latex overlay agar plates, being unable to form a clear zone and to produce aldehydes. Complementation with the wild-type lcp gene restores the wild-type phenotype. Belongs to the rubber oxygenase Lcp family.