Emerging Roles of PETase and MHETase in the Biodegradation of Plastic Wastes.

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is extensively used in plastic products, and its accumulation in the environment has become a global concern. Being a non-degradable pollutant, a tremendous quantity of PET-bearing plastic materials have already accumulated in the environment, posing severe challenges towards the existence of various endangered species and consequently threatening the ecosystem and biodiversity. While conventional recycling and remediation methodologies so far have been ineffective in formulating a "green" degradation protocol, the bioremediation strategies-though nascent-are exhibiting greater promises towards achieving the target.