PyMOL PETase

3D Model

In 2016 the enzyme PETase was discovered to break down PET. The bacterium Ideonella sakaiensis secretes PETase which degrades PET and absorbs the soluble products, utilizing its energy and carbon (Han et al., 2017). PETase works by catalyzing the hydrolysis of PET into its soluble monomers, mono-2-hydroxyethyl terephthalate (MHET), TPA and BHET.