Crystal structure and functional characterization of an oligosaccharide dehydrogenase from Pycnoporus cinnabarinus provides insights into fungal breakdown of lignocellulose.

Structure-function analysis of ODH is consistent with its role as an auxiliary enzyme in lignocellulose degradation and unveils yet another enzymatic function within the AA3 family of the Carbohydrate-Active enZymes database. Our findings allow deciphering the molecular determinants of substrate binding and provide insight into the physiological role of ODH, opening new perspectives to exploit biodiversity for lignocellulose transformation into fuels and chemicals.