title: Measuring processivity.
abstract: Natural cellulolytic enzyme systems as well as leading commercial cellulase cocktails are dominated by enzymes that degrade cellulose chains in a processive manner. Despite the abundance of processivity among natural cellulases, the molecular basis as well as the biotechnological implications of this mechanism are only partly understood. One of the major limitations lies in the fact that it is not straightforward to measure and quantify processivity in what essentially are biphasic experimental systems. Here, we describe and discuss both well-established methods and newer methods for measuring cellulase processivity. In addition, we discuss recent insights from studies on chitinases that may help direct further studies on processivity in cellulases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Aas, Norway.
authors.forename: Svein J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Horn
authors.forename: Morten
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sørlie
authors.forename: Kjell M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Vårum
authors.forename: Priit
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Väljamäe
authors.forename: Vincent G H
authors.initials: VG
authors.lastname: Eijsink
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D044602:Cellulases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D002482:Cellulose / Q000378:metabolism*; D043366:Cellulose 1,4-beta-Cellobiosidase / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D002686:Chitin / Q000378:metabolism; D002688:Chitinases / Q000378:metabolism; D057075:Enzyme Assays / Q000379:methods*; D008958:Models, Molecular; D012706:Serratia marcescens / Q000201:enzymology; D014242:Trichoderma / Q000201:enzymology
chemical_list: D002686:Chitin; D002482:Cellulose; D044602:Cellulases; D002688:Chitinases; D043366:Cellulose 1,4-beta-Cellobiosidase