Targeted metatranscriptomics of compost-derived consortia reveals a GH11 exerting an unusual exo-1,4-beta-xylanase activity.
Mello, B.L., Alessi, A.M., Riano-Pachon, D.M., deAzevedo, E.R., Guimaraes, F.E.G., Espirito Santo, M.C., McQueen-Mason, S., Bruce, N.C., Polikarpov, I.(2017) Biotechnol Biofuels 10: 254-254
- PubMed: 29118851 
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13068-017-0944-4
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:  
5VQJ - PubMed Abstract: 
Using globally abundant crop residues as a carbon source for energy generation and renewable chemicals production stand out as a promising solution to reduce current dependency on fossil fuels. In nature, such as in compost habitats, microbial communities efficiently degrade the available plant biomass using a diverse set of synergistic enzymes. However, deconstruction of lignocellulose remains a challenge for industry due to recalcitrant nature of the substrate and the inefficiency of the enzyme systems available, making the economic production of lignocellulosic biofuels difficult. Metatranscriptomic studies of microbial communities can unveil the metabolic functions employed by lignocellulolytic consortia and identify novel biocatalysts that could improve industrial lignocellulose conversion.
Organizational Affiliation: 
Instituto de Física de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Trabalhador São-carlense 400, São Carlos, SP 13560-970 Brazil.