Glucuronoyl esterases: diversity, properties and biotechnological potential. A review

Glucuronoyl esterases (GEs) belonging to the carbohydrate esterase family 15 (CE15) are involved in microbial degradation of lignocellulosic plant materials. GEs are capable of degrading complex polymers of lignin and hemicellulose cleaving ester bonds between glucuronic acid residues in xylan and lignin alcohols. GEs promote separation of lignin, hemicellulose and cellulose which is crucial for efficient utilization of biomass as an energy source and feedstock for further processing into products or chemicals. Genes encoding GEs are found in both fungi and bacteria, but, so far, bacterial GEs are essentially unexplored, and despite being discovered >10 years ago, only a limited number of GEs have been characterized. The first laboratory scale example of improved xylose and glucuronic acid release by the synergistic action of GE with cellulolytic enzymes was only reported recently (improved C5 sugar and glucuronic acid yields) and, until now, not much is known about their biotechnology potential. In this review, we discuss the diversity, structure and properties of microbial GEs and consider the status of their action on natural substrates and in biological systems in relation to their future industrial use.