Construction of a multifunctional enzyme feruloyl esterase/acetyl xylan esterase by rational design

• Grant number: 14/07468-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: August 01, 2014
• End date: January 31, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biochemistry - Enzymology
• Principal Investigator: Richard John Ward
• Grantee: Luana de Fátima Alves
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 10/18850-2 - Identification, characterization and engineering of plant cell wall degrading enzymes, AP.TEM

Abstract

The conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into renewable fuels has been considered a promising alternative to replace fossil fuels derived from non- renewable sources of energy. The so-called second-generation ethanol relies on the use of lignocellulose or other materials that do not directly compete with arable land for growing feedstock for their production , or the production of food . The lignocellulose consists mainly of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin, connected by a complex web of connections; therefore, the degradation of plant cell wall is complex and requires the synergistic action of a group of enzymes . Studies showed a hierarchy of links in the cell walls of cane sugar that need to be broken to produce sugars for fermentation and production of bioethanol . Therefore , the production of chimeras by fusing specific enzymes of each step of this hierarchical hydrolysis may represent a significant advance in the saccharification of plant cell wall . Furthermore, multidomain enzymes are strategies to reduce the costs of enzymes in industrial processes and to simplify the operations of production and purification. This project proposes the construction of a bifunctional chimera involving domains with feruloyl esterase activity and acetyl xylan esterase from Clostridium thermocellum . These enzymes play a role in the degradation of xyloglucan lignocellulosic material .

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

ALVES, Luana de Fátima. Construction of a multifunctional enzyme feruloyl esterase/acetyl xylan esterase by rational design. 2016. Master's Dissertation - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (PCARP/BC) Ribeirão Preto.