Enzymology
Improving the thermal stability of cellobiohydrolase Cel7A from Hypocrea jecorina by directed evolution
Secreted mixtures of Hypocrea jecorina cellulases are able to efficiently degrade cellulosic biomass to fermentable sugars at large, commercially relevant scales. H. jecorina Cel7A, cellobiohydrolase I, from glycoside hydrolase family 7, is the workhorse enzyme of the process. However, the thermal stability of Cel7A limits its use to processes where temperatures are no higher than 50 °C. Enhanced thermal stability is desirable to enable the use of higher processing temperatures and to improve the economic feasibility of industrial biomass conversion.Structural and Functional Characterization of a Lytic Polysaccharide Monooxygenase with Broad Substrate Specificity
Background: The recently discovered lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) are important in enzymatic conversion of lignocellulosic biomass.Results: We describe structural and functional studies of NcLPMO9C, which cleaves both cellulose and certain hemicelluloses.Conclusion: NcLPMO9C has structural and functional features that correlate with the enzyme's catalytic capabilities.Significance: This study shows how LPMO active sites are tailored to varying functionalities and adds to a growing LPMO knowledge base.
