title: Recombinant hyperthermophilic enzyme expression in plants: a novel approach for lignocellulose digestion.
abstract: Plant biomass, as an abundant renewable carbon source, is a promising alternative to fossil fuels. However, the enzymes most commonly used for depolymerization of lignocellulosic biomass are expensive, and the development of cost-effective alternative conversion technologies would be desirable. One possible option is the heterologous expression of genes encoding lignocellulose-digesting enzymes in plant tissues. To overcome simultaneously issues of toxicity and incompatibility with high-temperature steam explosion processes, the use of heterologous genes encoding hyperthermophilic enzymes may be an attractive alternative. This approach could reduce the need for exogenous enzyme additions prior to fermentation, reducing the cost of the complete processing operation. This review highlights recent advances and future prospects for using hyperthermophilic enzymes in the biofuels industry.
authors.affiliation: Center for Microbial Ecology and Genomics, Department of Genetics, University of Pretoria, Private bag X20, Pretoria 0028, South Africa; Department of Genetics, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), University of Pretoria, Private bag X20, Pretoria 0028, South Africa.
authors.forename: Bilal Ahmad
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Mir
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetics, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), University of Pretoria, Private bag X20, Pretoria 0028, South Africa.
authors.forename: Ritesh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mewalal
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetics, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), University of Pretoria, Private bag X20, Pretoria 0028, South Africa.
authors.forename: Eshchar
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mizrachi
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetics, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), University of Pretoria, Private bag X20, Pretoria 0028, South Africa.
authors.forename: Alexander A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Myburg
authors.affiliation: Center for Microbial Ecology and Genomics, Department of Genetics, University of Pretoria, Private bag X20, Pretoria 0028, South Africa. Electronic address: don.cowan@up.ac.za.
authors.forename: Don A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Cowan
mesh_terms: D004795:Enzyme Stability; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006867:Hydrolases / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006868:Hydrolysis; D008031:Lignin / Q000378:metabolism*; D010944:Plants / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D011994:Recombinant Proteins; C036909:lignocellulose; D008031:Lignin; D006867:Hydrolases
keywords: heterologous expression; hyperthermophilic enzymes; lignocellulosic biomass; second-generation biofuels