Structure Report for: 5A2G

Hromic, A., Pavkov Keller, T., Steinkellner, G., Gruber, K., Perz, V., Baumschlager, A., Bleymaier, K., Zitzenbacher, S., Zankel, A., Mayrhofer, C., Sinkel, C., Kueper, U., Schlegel, K.A., Ribitsch, D., Guebitz, G.M.

Title: An Esterase from Anaerobic Clostridium hathewayi Can Hydrolyze Aliphatic-Aromatic Polyesters
Perz V, Hromic A, Baumschlager A, Steinkellner G, Pavkov-Keller T, Gruber K, Bleymaier K, Zitzenbacher S, Zankel A and Guebitz GM <5 more author(s)> Perz V, Hromic A, Baumschlager A, Steinkellner G, Pavkov-Keller T, Gruber K, Bleymaier K, Zitzenbacher S, Zankel A, Mayrhofer C, Sinkel C, Kueper U, Schlegel K, Ribitsch D, Guebitz GM (- 5)
Ref: Environ Sci Technol, 50:2899, 2016 : PubMed
Abstract


ESTHER: Perz_2016_Environ.Sci.Technol_50_2899
PubMedSearch: Perz 2016 Environ.Sci.Technol 50 2899
PubMedID: 26878094
Gene_locus related to this paper: 9clot-r5t6k9

Abstract

Recently, a variety of biodegradable polymers have been developed as alternatives to recalcitrant materials. Although many studies on polyester biodegradability have focused on aerobic environments, there is much less known on biodegradation of polyesters in natural and artificial anaerobic habitats. Consequently, the potential of anaerobic biogas sludge to hydrolyze the synthetic compostable polyester PBAT (poly(butylene adipate-co-butylene terephthalate) was evaluated in this study. On the basis of reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) analysis, accumulation of terephthalic acid (Ta) was observed in all anaerobic batches within the first 14 days. Thereafter, a decline of Ta was observed, which occurred presumably due to consumption by the microbial population. The esterase Chath_Est1 from the anaerobic risk 1 strain Clostridium hathewayi DSM-13479 was found to hydrolyze PBAT. Detailed characterization of this esterase including elucidation of the crystal structure was performed. The crystal structure indicates that Chath_Est1 belongs to the alpha/beta-hydrolases family. This study gives a clear hint that also micro-organisms in anaerobic habitats can degrade manmade PBAT.