The structural basis of fungal glucuronoyl esterase activity on natural substrates

Glucuronoyl esterases have the potential to be used in the biocatalytic conversion of lignin-carbohydrate complexes to obtain pure lignin for downstream biofuel conversion. Here the authors present a detailed structural analysis of the glucuronoyl esterase from Cerrena unicolor, providing the basis for its activity on natural substrate and for how lignin can be selectively separated from lignocellulosic materials.