Lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase review

What is it about?

In this article, we review the 3D structures of lytic polysaccharide monoxygenases known to date and the contribution made by these structures in understanding the function of these recently discovered enzymes, which break the glycosidic bonds in cellulose, chitin and other polysaccharides by oxidation using an active site copper ion.

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Why is it important?

Until few years ago, the depolymerization of biomass polysaccharides, like cellulose and chitin, was thought to be primarily by enzymes performing hydrolysis of the glycosidic bond. With the discovery of lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases it was discovered that enzyme mediated redox reactions also play an extremely important role. This can help the transformation of plant biomass to fermentable sugars to make bioethanol.