Extracellular electron transfer systems fuel cellulose oxidative degradation

The fuel for fungal enzymes Many microorganisms have specialized enzymes to target and break down plant biomass. In fungi, these enzymes, called lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs), partner with electron transfer partners to oxidatively cleave the polysaccharide backbone of lignocellulosic polymers. Kracher et al. examined several potential extracellular electron transfer partners for LPMO, including other enzymes and small redoxactive metabolites (see the Perspective by Martínez). All three were able to donate electrons to the single-copper active site. Such versatility helps these fungi adapt to a range of redox conditions and potentially use other extracellular electron donors to fuel biomass degradation. Science , this issue p. 1098 ; see also p. 1050