New Insights into Cellulose Degradation by Cellulases and Related Enzymes

Abstract

We do not have a powerful enzyme to utilize the biomass, though cellulose degradation by enzymes has been investigated for a long time. Many cellulase systems from fungi, bacteria, plants and even some animals have been studied, and the biological function of cellulase has been discussed. The important role of cellulase for bacteria and fungi should be to degrade cellulose and serve the soluble sugars for assimilation by the cell. However, for the plant it may be to modify cellulose assemblies that are the dominant component of the cell wall, whereby organisms create the varieties of cellulases and related enzymes for processing different types of celluloses. In this report we introduce the cellulose degradation of enzyme systems produced by fungi, especially white-rot fungus Irpex lacteus.