Towards a molecular-level theory of carbohydrate processivity in glycoside hydrolases

- Processive glycoside hydrolases provide significant hydrolytic potential.
- Newly developed cellulose and chitin processivity measurement methods are reviewed.
- We propose processivity mechanisms in GH6 and GH7 cellulases from structural data.
- A framework is developed for a thermodynamic and kinetic theory of GH processivity.