A biophysical perspective on the cellulosome: new opportunities for biomass conversion

Shi You Ding*, Qi Xu, Michael Crowley, Yining Zeng, Mark Nimlos, Raphael Lamed, Edward A. Bayer, Michael E. Himmel

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

94 Scopus citations

Abstract

The cellulosome is a multiprotein complex, produced primarily by anaerobic microorganisms, which functions to degrade lignocellulosic materials. An important topic of current debate is whether cellulosomal systems display greater ability to deconstruct complex biomass materials (e.g. plant cell walls) than nonaggregated enzymes, and in so doing would be appropriate for improved, commercial bioconversion processes. To sufficiently understand the complex macromolecular processes between plant cell wall polymers, cellulolytic microbes, and their secreted enzymes, a highly concerted research approach is required. Adaptation of existing biophysical techniques and development of new science tools must be applied to this system. This review focuses on strategies likely to permit improved understanding of the bacterial cellulosome using biophysical approaches, with emphasis on advanced imaging and computational techniques.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)218-227
Number of pages10
JournalCurrent Opinion in Biotechnology
Volume19
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2008

Funding

FundersFunder number
BioEnergy Science Center
DOE Office of Biological and Environmental Research-Genomes
United States-Israel Binational Science Foundation
Israel Science Foundation159/07, 422/05

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