title: Recalcitrant polysaccharide degradation by novel oxidative biocatalysts.
abstract: The classical hydrolytic mechanism for the degradation of plant polysaccharides by saprophytic microorganisms has been reconsidered after the recent landmark discovery of a new class of oxidases termed lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs). LPMOs are of increased biotechnological interest due to their implication in lignocellulosic biomass decomposition for the production of biofuels and high-value chemicals. They act on recalcitrant polysaccharides by a combination of hydrolytic and oxidative function, generating oxidized and non-oxidized chain ends. They are copper-dependent and require molecular oxygen and an external electron donor for their proper function. In this review, we present the recent findings concerning the mechanism of action of these oxidative enzymes and identify issues and questions to be addressed in the future.
authors.affiliation: Biotechnology Laboratory, School of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 5 Iroon Polytechniou Str, Zografou Campus, 15700, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dimarogona
authors.forename: Evangelos
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Topakas
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Christakopoulos
mesh_terms: D003067:Coenzymes / Q000378:metabolism; D003300:Copper / Q000378:metabolism; D006868:Hydrolysis; D008031:Lignin / Q000378:metabolism*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010088:Oxidoreductases / Q000378:metabolism*; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D003067:Coenzymes; C036909:lignocellulose; D003300:Copper; D008031:Lignin; D010088:Oxidoreductases; D010100:Oxygen