InterPro: IPR001722 Glycoside hydrolase, family 7

O-Glycosyl hydrolases EC:3.2.1. are a widespread group of enzymes that hydrolyse the glycosidic bond between two or more carbohydrates, or between a carbohydrate and a non-carbohydrate moiety. A classification system for glycosyl hydrolases, based on sequence similarity, has led to the definition of 85 different families [1, 2, 3]. This classification is available on the CAZy (CArbohydrate-Active EnZymes) web site [4]. Because the fold of proteins is better conserved than their sequences, some of the families can be grouped in clans.

Glycoside hydrolase family 7 GH7 comprises enzymes with several known activities; endoglucanase (EC:3.2.1.4); cellobiohydrolase (EC:3.2.1.91). These enzymes were formerly known as cellulase family C.

Exoglucanases and cellobiohydrolases [5] play a role in the conversion of cellulose to glucose by cutting the dissaccharide cellobiose from the nonreducing end of the cellulose polymer chain. Structurally, cellulases and xylanases generally consist of a catalytic domain joined to a cellulose-binding domain (CBD) via a linker region that is rich in proline and/or hydroxy-amino acids. In type I exoglucanases, the CBD domain is found at the C-terminal extremity of these enzyme (this short domain forms a hairpin loop structure stabilised by 2 disulphide bridges).