PETase

3D Model

The 3D model before you has the capabilities of degrading the plastic polyethylene terephthalate (PET), known as PET hydrolase (PETase). As stated by Han et al (2017), PETase was discovered in Ideoella sakaienis, and it’s ability to catalbolise PET ester bonds unlocks a pathway for the bioremediation of this mass produced plastic. The PETase depicted has the double mutant strand of R103G/S131A and the substate analog of 1-(2-Hydroxyethyl) 4-methyl terephthalate (HEMT) is crystalised with PETase in place of PET. A tour of the enzyme will explain five key interactions between PETase and PET, with the substitute of HEMT as the substrate.