scholarly journals Biochemical and Structural Insights into Xylan Utilization by the Thermophilic Bacterium Caldanaerobius polysaccharolyticus

2012 ◽  
Vol 287 (42) ◽  
pp. 34946-34960 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yejun Han ◽  
Vinayak Agarwal ◽  
Dylan Dodd ◽  
Jason Kim ◽  
Brian Bae ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Crystal Structure ◽  
Gene Cluster ◽  
Plant Cell Wall ◽  
Hydrolytic Enzymes ◽  
Thermophilic Bacterium ◽  
Pentose Phosphate ◽  
Structural Basis ◽  
Resolution Analysis ◽  
Calorimetric Studies ◽  
Hydrolysis Of

Hemicellulose is the next most abundant plant cell wall component after cellulose. The abundance of hemicellulose such as xylan suggests that their hydrolysis and conversion to biofuels can improve the economics of bioenergy production. In an effort to understand xylan hydrolysis at high temperatures, we sequenced the genome of the thermophilic bacterium Caldanaerobius polysaccharolyticus. Analysis of the partial genome sequence revealed a gene cluster that contained both hydrolytic enzymes and also enzymes key to the pentose-phosphate pathway. The hydrolytic enzymes in the gene cluster were demonstrated to convert products from a large endoxylanase (Xyn10A) predicted to anchor to the surface of the bacterium. We further use structural and calorimetric studies to demonstrate that the end products of Xyn10A hydrolysis of xylan are recognized and bound by XBP1, a putative solute-binding protein, likely for transport into the cell. The XBP1 protein showed preference for xylo-oligosaccharides as follows: xylotriose > xylobiose > xylotetraose. To elucidate the structural basis for the oligosaccharide preference, we solved the co-crystal structure of XBP1 complexed with xylotriose to a 1.8-Å resolution. Analysis of the biochemical data in the context of the co-crystal structure reveals the molecular underpinnings of oligosaccharide length specificity.

The structure and properties of septin 3: a possible missing link in septin filament formation

2013 ◽  
Vol 450 (1) ◽  
pp. 95-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joci N. A. Macedo ◽  
Napoleão F. Valadares ◽  
Ivo A. Marques ◽  
Frederico M. Ferreira ◽  
Julio C. P. Damalio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Crystal Structure ◽  
Sequence Similarity ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Structural Basis ◽  
Filament Assembly ◽  
Gtp Binding ◽  
Hydrolysis Of ◽  
Free Monomer ◽  
Septin Filament

The human genome codes for 13 members of a family of filament-forming GTP-binding proteins known as septins. These have been divided into four different subgroups on the basis of sequence similarity. The differences between the subgroups are believed to control their correct assembly into heterofilaments which have specific roles in membrane remodelling events. Many different combinations of the 13 proteins are theoretically possible and it is therefore important to understand the structural basis of specific filament assembly. However, three-dimensional structures are currently available for only three of the four subgroups. In the present study we describe the crystal structure of a construct of human SEPT3 which belongs to the outstanding subgroup. This construct (SEPT3-GC), which includes the GTP-binding and C-terminal domains, purifies as a nucleotide-free monomer, allowing for its characterization in terms of GTP-binding and hydrolysis. In the crystal structure, SEPT3-GC forms foreshortened filaments which employ the same NC and G interfaces observed in the heterotrimeric complex of human septins 2, 6 and 7, reinforcing the notion of ‘promiscuous’ interactions described previously. In the present study we describe these two interfaces and relate the structure to its tendency to form monomers and its efficiency in the hydrolysis of GTP. The relevance of these results is emphasized by the fact that septins from the SEPT3 subgroup may be important determinants of polymerization by occupying the terminal position in octameric units which themselves form the building blocks of at least some heterofilaments.

scholarly journals Enzymatic Mechanism for Arabinan Degradation and Transport in the Thermophilic Bacterium Caldanaerobius polysaccharolyticus

2017 ◽  
Vol 83 (18) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Wefers ◽  
Jia Dong ◽  
Ahmed M. Abdel-Hamid ◽  
Hans Müller Paul ◽  
Gabriel V. Pereira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Cluster ◽  
Recombinant Proteins ◽  
Plant Cell Wall ◽  
Elevated Temperatures ◽  
Thermophilic Bacterium ◽  
Glycoside Hydrolases ◽  
Cell Wall Polysaccharide ◽  
Binding Studies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Substrate Specificities

ABSTRACT The plant cell wall polysaccharide arabinan provides an important supply of arabinose, and unraveling arabinan-degrading strategies by microbes is important for understanding its use as a source of energy. Here, we explored the arabinan-degrading enzymes in the thermophilic bacterium Caldanaerobius polysaccharolyticus and identified a gene cluster encoding two glycoside hydrolase (GH) family 51 α-l-arabinofuranosidases (CpAbf51A, CpAbf51B), a GH43 endoarabinanase (CpAbn43A), a GH27 β-l-arabinopyranosidase (CpAbp27A), and two GH127 β-l-arabinofuranosidases (CpAbf127A, CpAbf127B). The genes were expressed as recombinant proteins, and the functions of the purified proteins were determined with para-nitrophenyl (pNP)-linked sugars and naturally occurring pectin structural elements as the substrates. The results demonstrated that CpAbn43A is an endoarabinanase while CpAbf51A and CpAbf51B are α-l-arabinofuranosidases that exhibit diverse substrate specificities, cleaving α-1,2, α-1,3, and α-1,5 linkages of purified arabinan-oligosaccharides. Furthermore, both CpAbf127A and CpAbf127B cleaved β-arabinofuranose residues in complex arabinan side chains, thus providing evidence of the function of this family of enzymes on such polysaccharides. The optimal temperatures of the enzymes ranged between 60°C and 75°C, and CpAbf43A and CpAbf51A worked synergistically to release arabinose from branched and debranched arabinan. Furthermore, the hydrolytic activity on branched arabinan oligosaccharides and degradation of pectic substrates by the endoarabinanase and l-arabinofuranosidases suggested a microbe equipped with diverse activities to degrade complex arabinan in the environment. Based on our functional analyses of the genes in the arabinan degradation cluster and the substrate-binding studies on a component of the cognate transporter system, we propose a model for arabinan degradation and transport by C. polysaccharolyticus. IMPORTANCE Genomic DNA sequencing and bioinformatic analysis allowed the identification of a gene cluster encoding several proteins predicted to function in arabinan degradation and transport in C. polysaccharolyticus. The analysis of the recombinant proteins yielded detailed insights into the putative arabinan metabolism of this thermophilic bacterium. The use of various branched arabinan oligosaccharides provided a detailed understanding of the substrate specificities of the enzymes and allowed assignment of two new GH127 polypeptides as β-l-arabinofuranosidases able to degrade pectic substrates, thus expanding our knowledge of this rare group of glycoside hydrolases. In addition, the enzymes showed synergistic effects for the degradation of arabinans at elevated temperatures. The enzymes characterized from the gene cluster are, therefore, of utility for arabinose production in both the biofuel and food industries.

scholarly journals Structural basis of Naa20 activity towards a canonical NatB substrate

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominik Layer ◽  
Jürgen Kopp ◽  
Miriam Fontanillo ◽  
Maja Köhn ◽  
Karine Lapouge ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Crystal Structure ◽  
Drug Development ◽  
Catalytic Mechanism ◽  
Peptide Binding ◽  
Competitive Inhibitor ◽  
Structural Basis ◽  
Substrate Affinity ◽  
Protein Homeostasis ◽  
Auxiliary Subunit

AbstractN-terminal acetylation is one of the most common protein modifications in eukaryotes and is carried out by N-terminal acetyltransferases (NATs). It plays important roles in protein homeostasis, localization, and interactions and is linked to various human diseases. NatB, one of the major co-translationally active NATs, is composed of the catalytic subunit Naa20 and the auxiliary subunit Naa25, and acetylates about 20% of the proteome. Here we show that NatB substrate specificity and catalytic mechanism are conserved among eukaryotes, and that Naa20 alone is able to acetylate NatB substrates in vitro. We show that Naa25 increases the Naa20 substrate affinity, and identify residues important for peptide binding and acetylation activity. We present the first Naa20 crystal structure in complex with the competitive inhibitor CoA-Ac-MDEL. Our findings demonstrate how Naa20 binds its substrates in the absence of Naa25 and support prospective endeavors to derive specific NAT inhibitors for drug development.

scholarly journals Anaerobic hydrolysis of complex substrates in full-scale aerobic granular sludge: enzymatic activity determined in different sludge fractions

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Toja Ortega ◽  
Mario Pronk ◽  
Merle K. de Kreuk
Keyword(s):  
Hydrolytic Enzymes ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Domestic Wastewater ◽  
Granular Sludge ◽  
Hydrolytic Activity ◽  
Full Scale ◽  
Aerobic Granular Sludge ◽  
Bulk Liquid ◽  
Granule Formation ◽  
Hydrolysis Of

Abstract Complex substrates, like proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids, are major components of domestic wastewater, and yet their degradation in biofilm-based wastewater treatment technologies, such as aerobic granular sludge (AGS), is not well understood. Hydrolysis is considered the rate-limiting step in the bioconversion of complex substrates, and as such, it will impact the utilization of a large wastewater COD (chemical oxygen demand) fraction by the biofilms or granules. To study the hydrolysis of complex substrates within these types of biomass, this paper investigates the anaerobic activity of major hydrolytic enzymes in the different sludge fractions of a full-scale AGS reactor. Chromogenic substrates were used under fully mixed anaerobic conditions to determine lipase, protease, α-glucosidase, and β-glucosidase activities in large granules (>1 mm in diameter), small granules (0.2–1 mm), flocculent sludge (0.045–0.2 mm), and bulk liquid. Furthermore, composition and hydrolytic activity of influent wastewater samples were determined. Our results showed an overcapacity of the sludge to hydrolyze wastewater soluble and colloidal polymeric substrates. The highest specific hydrolytic activity was associated with the flocculent sludge fraction (1.5–7.5 times that of large and smaller granules), in agreement with its large available surface area. However, the biomass in the full-scale reactor consisted of 84% large granules, making the large granules account for 55–68% of the total hydrolytic activity potential in the reactor. These observations shine a new light on the contribution of large granules to the conversion of polymeric COD and suggest that large granules can hydrolyze a significant amount of this influent fraction. The anaerobic removal of polymeric soluble and colloidal substrates could clarify the stable granule formation that is observed in full-scale installations, even when those are fed with complex wastewaters. Key points • Large and small granules contain >70% of the hydrolysis potential in an AGS reactor. • Flocculent sludge has high hydrolytic activity but constitutes <10% VS in AGS. • AGS has an overcapacity to hydrolyze complex substrates in domestic wastewater. Graphical abstract

scholarly journals Characterization of a Novel Thermobifida fusca Bacteriophage P318

Viruses ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 1042
Author(s):  
Cheepudom ◽  
Lin ◽  
Lee ◽  
Meng
Keyword(s):  
Plant Cell Wall ◽  
Hydrolytic Enzymes ◽  
Thermobifida Fusca ◽  
Genome Replication ◽  
Putative Orfs ◽  
Base Pairs ◽  
Double Stranded Dna ◽  
Virion Morphogenesis ◽  
Genome Information

Thermobifida fusca is of biotechnological interest due to its ability to produce an array of plant cell wall hydrolytic enzymes. Nonetheless, only one T. fusca bacteriophage with genome information has been reported to date. This study was aimed at discovering more relevant bacteriophages to expand the existing knowledge of phage diversity for this host species. With this end in view, a thermostable T. fusca bacteriophage P318, which belongs to the Siphoviridae family, was isolated and characterized. P318 has a double-stranded DNA genome of 48,045 base pairs with 3′-extended COS ends, on which 52 putative ORFs are organized into clusters responsible for the order of genome replication, virion morphogenesis, and the regulation of the lytic/lysogenic cycle. In comparison with T. fusca and the previously discovered bacteriophage P1312, P318 has a much lower G+C content in its genome except at the region encompassing ORF42, which produced a protein with unknown function. P1312 and P318 share very few similarities in their genomes except for the regions encompassing ORF42 of P318 and ORF51 of P1312 that are homologous. Thus, acquisition of ORF42 by lateral gene transfer might be an important step in the evolution of P318.

scholarly journals Structural basis of antigen recognition: crystal structure of duck egg lysozyme

2017 ◽  
Vol 73 (11) ◽  
pp. 910-920 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Brent Langley ◽  
Ben Crossett ◽  
Peter Schofield ◽  
Jenny Jackson ◽  
Mahdi Zeraati ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Crystal Structure ◽  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Binding Affinity ◽  
Anas Platyrhynchos ◽  
Antigen Recognition ◽  
Pekin Duck ◽  
Structural Basis ◽  
Primary Sequence ◽  
Duck Egg ◽  
Differential Affinity

Duck egg lysozyme (DEL) is a widely used model antigen owing to its capacity to bind with differential affinity to anti-chicken egg lysozyme antibodies. However, no structures of DEL have so far been reported, and the situation had been complicated by the presence of multiple isoforms and conflicting reports of primary sequence. Here, the structures of two DEL isoforms from the eggs of the commonly used Pekin duck (Anas platyrhynchos) are reported. Using structural analyses in combination with mass spectrometry, non-ambiguous DEL primary sequences are reported. Furthermore, the structures and sequences determined here enable rationalization of the binding affinity of DEL for well documented landmark anti-lysozyme antibodies.

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