A screening approach for assessing lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase activity in fungal strains

摘要

BackgroundEfforts to develop efficient lignocellulose-degrading enzymatic preparations have led to the relatively recent discovery of a new class of novel cellulase boosters, termed lytic polysaccharide monoxygenases (LPMOs). These enzymes are copper-dependent metalloenzymes that initiate the biomass deconstruction process and subsequently work together with cellulases, hemicellulases, and other accessory enzymes to enhance their hydrolytic action. Given their wide distribution and diversity, screening and isolation of potent LPMOs from natural fungal diversity may provide an important avenue for increasing the efficiency of cellulases and thereby decreasing cellulosic ethanol production costs. However, methods for quick screening and detection are still not widely available. In this article, a simple and sensitive method is described by combining nonhydrolytic activity enhancement followed by LC–MS-based quantitation of LPMOs.