Diagram of cellulase with cellulose and roadblocks (IMAGE)
Caption
The research team identified new details about how Cel7A cellulase enzymes (gold) are inhibited when breaking down cellulose (green) by the product of cellulose degradation, cellobiose, at the “front door" (1) and “back door" (2) of the Cel7A catalytic tunnel, and by two other components of plant cell walls, lignin (brown) and xylan (orange), that interact with cellulose. This research promises to reveal new strategies for efficiently deconstructing cellulose to produce sustainable bioenergy and biomaterials.
Credit
Nerya Zexer / Penn State
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Credit must be given to the creator. Adaptations must be shared under the same terms.
License
CC BY-SA