Abstract

Cellulose, the main structural component of plant cell walls, is the most abundant carbohydrate polymer in nature. Although abundant, it is extremely difficult to degrade, as it is insoluble and is present as hydrogen-bonded crystalline fibres. Anaerobic microorganisms have evolved a system to break down plant cell walls that involves the formation of a large extracellular enzyme complex called the cellulosome, which consists of a scaffolding protein and many bound cellulases. Cellulosomes have many potential biotechnological applications as the conversion of cellulosic biomass into sugars by cellulosomes could result in the production of high-value products such as ethanol or organic acids from inexpensive renewable resources. Rapid advances in cellulosome research are providing basic information for the development of both in vitro and in vivo systems to achieve such goals.