A version of this review was published in Current Opinion in Biotechnology, vol 7, pp. 337-342 (1996) It emphasizes recent developments in understanding the molecular structure, biochemical characteristics, and properties of microbial xylanases.

Thomas W. Jeffries

1. Summary
2. Introduction
   1. Enzyme families
   2. Catalytic sites
   3. Xylopyranose binding subsites
   4. Non-catalytic domains
   5. Mode of action
   6. Alkaline activity
   7. Thermostability
   8. Substrate interaction and characterization
   9. Enzymatic bleaching
3. Conclusions
4. Postal address of the author
5. Figure legends
6. References