C-terminal, alpha helical domain of Beta etherase LigE
Glutathione S-transferase (GST) C-terminal domain family, Beta etherase LigE subfamily; composed of proteins similar to Sphingomonas paucimobilis beta etherase, LigE, a GST-like protein that catalyzes the cleavage of the beta-aryl ether linkages present in low-moleculer weight lignins using GSH as the hydrogen donor. This reaction is an essential step in the degradation of lignin, a complex phenolic polymer that is the most abundant aromatic material in the biosphere. The beta etherase activity of LigE is enantioselective and it complements the activity of the other GST family beta etherase, LigF. The GST fold contains an N-terminal thioredoxin-fold domain and a C-terminal alpha helical domain, with an active site located in a cleft between the two domains.