Enzyme involved in the degradation of lignocellulosic biomass. Hydrolyzes weakly barley beta-glucan, carboxymethyl cellulose, lichenan, wheat arabinoxylan and birchwood xylan. Stimulates the hydrolysis of lignocellulosic substrates (such as hydrothermal pretreated wheat straw or steam-pretreated spruce), when combined with other cellulolytic enzymes. Lignin is a significant source of reductant residues that probably stimulate GH-61 activity by acting as electron donors. The presence of lignin presents a significant source of antioxidants, which probably increase the activity by trapping liberated oxidized fragments. Optimum pH is 8.0. Optimum temperature is 65 degrees Celsius. The use of glycoside hydrolase-61-boosting enzymes in cellulase mixtures enhanced their hydrolytic activity almost 1.5-fold and could further improve the technoeconomic analysis for producing fermentable sugars towards second generation biofuels. Belongs to the glycosyl hydrolase 61 family.