Researchers Advance Study on Newly Discovered Enzymes for Industrial Biofuel Production

Lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) are copper-containing enzymes that oxidatively break down recalcitrant polysaccharides such as cellulose and chitin. Since their discovery, LPMOs have become integral factors in the industrial utilization of biomass, especially in the generation of cellulosic bioethanol. An international research team, including scientists at the University of York, performed structural determination of an LPMO-oligosaccharide complex, giving detailed insights into the mechanism of action of these enzymes.

Analysis revealed the mechanism by which LPMOs interact with saccharide substrates. The team also uncovered electronic and structural features of the enzyme active site, showing how LPMOs orchestrate the reaction of oxygen with polysaccharide chains.

The research is part of an ongoing study of a recently discovered family of enzymes produced by fungi and bacteria capable of breaking down cellulose-based materials. Understanding the chemistry behind these processes will help scientists recreate and improve them for industrial production of biofuels.