Abstract

Polysaccharide depolymerization in nature is primarily accomplished by processive glycoside hydrolases (GHs), which abstract single carbohydrate chains from polymer crystals and cleave glycosidic linkages without dissociating after each catalytic event. Understanding the molecular-level features and structural aspects of processivity is of importance due to the prevalence of processive GHs in biomass-degrading enzyme cocktails. Here, we describe recent advances towards the development of a molecular-level theory of processivity for cellulolytic and chitinolytic enzymes, including the development of novel methods for measuring rates of key steps in processive action and insights gained from structural and computational studies. Overall, we present a framework for developing structure-function relationships in processive GHs and outline additional progress towards developing a fundamental understanding of these industrially important enzymes.

Published in

Current Opinion in Biotechnology
2014, Volume: 27, pages: 96-106
Publisher: CURRENT BIOLOGY LTD

SLU Authors

• Ståhlberg, Jerry

  • The Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Sandgren, Mats

  • The Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Payne, Christina M

  • The Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copbio.2013.12.002

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/66081