A metagenomic 'dark matter' enzyme catalyses oxidative cellulose conversion.

ABSTRACT: The breakdown of cellulose is one of the most important reactions in nature^1,2 and is central to biomass conversion to fuels and chemicals³. However, the microfibrillar organization of cellulose and its complex interactions with other components of the plant cell wall poses a major challenge for enzymatic conversion⁴. Here, by mining the metagenomic 'dark matter' (unclassified DNA with unknown function) of a microbial community specialized in lignocellulose degradation, we discovered a metalloenzyme that oxidatively cleaves cellulose. This metalloenzyme acts on cellulose through an exo-type mechanism with C1 regioselectivity, resulting exclusively in cellobionic acid as a product. The crystal structure reveals a catalytic copper buried in a compact jelly-ro

SUBMITTER: Santos CA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11946906 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature