Reversible immobilization of cellulase on gelatin for efficient insoluble cellulose hydrolysis.

Immobilized enzymes are one of the most common tools used in enzyme engineering, as they can substantially reduce the cost of enzyme isolation and use. However, efficient catalysis of solid substrates using immobilized enzymes is challenging, hydrolysis of insoluble cellulose by immobilized cellulases is a typical example of this problem. In this study, inspired by bees and honeycombs, we prepared gelatin-modified cellulase (BEE) and gelatin hydrogels (HONEYCOMB) to achieve reversible recycling versus release of cellulase through temperature-responsive changes in the triple-stranded helix-like interactions between BEE and HONEYCOMB.