title: How the walls come crumbling down: recent structural biochemistry of plant polysaccharide degradation.
abstract: The recent years have witnessed considerable developments in the interpretation of the three-dimensional structures of plant polysaccharide-degrading enzymes in the context of their functional specificity. A plethora of new structures of catalytic, carbohydrate-binding and protein-scaffolding modules involved in (hemi)cellulose catabolism has emerged in harness with sophisticated biochemical analysis. Despite significant advances, a full understanding of the intricacies of substrate recognition and catalysis by these diverse and specialised enzymes remains an important goal, especially if the application potential of these biocatalysts is to be fully realised.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Framlington Place, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Harry J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Gilbert
authors.forename: Henrik
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Stålbrand
authors.forename: Harry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Brumer
mesh_terms: D050260:Carbohydrate Metabolism; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D008958:Models, Molecular; D015394:Molecular Structure; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D010944:Plants / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D011487:Protein Conformation
chemical_list: D010940:Plant Proteins; D011134:Polysaccharides