Engineering of xylanases for the development of biotechnologically important characteristics

• Published in: Biotechnology and bioengineering 2023-05, Vol.120 (5), p.1171-1188
• Main Authors: Sürmeli, Yusuf, Şanlı‐Mohamed, Gülşah
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alternative energy sources; Biocatalysts; Biofuels; Biorefineries; biorefinery & bioenergy; Biotechnology; Bleaching; Directed evolution; Endo-1,4-beta Xylanases - chemistry; Endo-1,4-beta Xylanases - genetics; Engineering; engineering xylanase; Hemicellulose; industrial characteristics; Lignocellulose; Oligosaccharides; Protein engineering; Protein Engineering - methods; protein engineering approaches; Proteins; Pulp; pulp bleaching; state‐of‐the‐art strategies; Thermal stability; XOs production; Xylan; Xylanase
• ISSN: 0006-3592; 1097-0290
• DOI: 10.1002/bit.28339

Xylanases are the main biocatalysts used for the reduction of the xylan backbone from hemicellulose, randomly splitting off β‐1,4‐glycosidic linkages between xylopyranosyl residues. Xylanase market has been annually estimated at 500 million US Dollars and they are potentially used in broad industrial process ranges such as paper pulp biobleaching, xylo‐oligosaccharide production, and biofuel manufacture from lignocellulose. The highly stable xylanases are preferred in the downstream procedure of industrial processes because they can tolerate severe conditions. Almost all native xylanases can not endure adverse conditions thus they are industrially not proper to be utilized. Protein engineering is a powerful technology for developing xylanases, which can effectively work in adverse conditions and can meet requirements for industrial processes. This study considered state‐of‐the‐art strategies of protein engineering for creating the xylanase gene diversity, high‐throughput screening systems toward upgraded traits of the xylanases, and the prediction and comprehensive analysis of the target mutations in xylanases by in silico methods. Also, key molecular factors have been elucidated for industrial characteristics (alkaliphilic enhancement, thermal stability, and catalytic performance) of GH11 family xylanases. The present review explores industrial characteristics improved by directed evolution, rational design, and semi‐rational design as protein engineering approaches for pulp bleaching process, xylooligosaccharides production, and biorefinery & bioenergy production. The xylanase market has been growing for three decades and potentially used in a wide range of biotechnological applications including xylo‐oligosaccharide production, paper pulp biobleaching, and biorefinery & bioenergy. Here, Sürmeli and Şanlı‐Mohamed explores state‐of‐the‐art strategies for xylanase engineering, key factors underlying the industrial characteristics of xylanases, and three industrial processes (biorefinery&bioenergy, XOs production, and pulp biobleaching) of engineered xylanases.