Directed evolution of a remarkably efficient Kdnase from a bacterial neuraminidase

Glycobiology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 325-333 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saeideh Shamsi Kazem Abadi ◽  
Matthew C Deen ◽  
Jacqueline N Watson ◽  
Fahimeh S Shidmoossavee ◽  
Andrew J Bennet

Abstract N-acetylneuraminic acid (5-acetamido-3,5-dideoxy-d-glycero-d-galacto-non-2-ulosonic acid), which is the principal sialic acid family member of the non-2-ulosonic acids and their various derivatives, is often found at the terminal position on the glycan chains that adorn all vertebrate cells. This terminal position combined with subtle variations in structure and linkage to the underlying glycan chains between humans and other mammals points to the importance of this diverse group of nine-carbon sugars as indicators of the unique aspects of human evolution and is relevant to understanding an array of human conditions. Enzymes that catalyze the removal N-acetylneuraminic acid from glycoconjugates are called neuraminidases. However, despite their documented role in numerous diseases, due to the promiscuous activity of many neuraminidases, our knowledge of the functions and metabolism of many sialic acids and the effect of the attachment to cellular glycans is limited. To this end, through a concerted effort of generation of random and site-directed mutagenesis libraries, subsequent screens and positive and negative evolutionary selection protocols, we succeeded in identifying three enzyme variants of the neuraminidase from the soil bacterium Micromonospora viridifaciens with markedly altered specificity for the hydrolysis of natural Kdn (3-deoxy-d-glycero-d-galacto-non-2-ulosonic acid) glycosidic linkages compared to those of N-acetylneuraminic acid. These variants catalyze the hydrolysis of Kdn-containing disaccharides with catalytic efficiencies (second-order rate constants: kcat/Km) of greater than 105 M−1 s−1; the best variant displayed an efficiency of >106 M−1 s−1 at its optimal pH.

1967 ◽  
Vol 17 (01/02) ◽  
pp. 023-030 ◽  
Author(s):  
H Rubin ◽  
N. D Ritz

SummaryThe inhibitory effect of N-acetylneuraminic acid and glycolyl neuramaminic acids on the hydrolysis of 51Cr tagged casein by plasmin and α-chymotrypsin has been demonstrated. N,O-diacetylneuraminic acid was ineffective. The inhibitory effect was increased by an increase in ionic strength of the reaction mixture. The two active sialic acids also inhibited the fibrinolytic action of human plasmin on heated and unheated bovine fibrin plates. The greater inhibition noted on heated plates may indicate a primary effect on plasmin rather than on activators of plasmin. The inhibitory effects of N-acetyl neuraminic acid appeared to be potentiated by normal serum inhibitors. Sialic acid did not influence the conversion of fibrin monomer to polymer.N-acetylneuraminic acid may play an important role in preserving the integrity of fibrin deposits in the body.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emmanuele Severi ◽  
Michelle Rudden ◽  
Andrew Bell ◽  
Tracy Palmer ◽  
Nathalie Juge ◽  
...  

AbstractLocated at the tip of cell surface glycoconjugates, sialic acids are at the forefront of host-microbe interactions and, being easily liberated by sialidase enzymes, are used as metabolites by numerous bacteria, particularly by pathogens and commensals living on or near diverse mucosal surfaces. These bacteria rely on specific transporters for the acquisition of host-derived sialic acids. Here, we present the first comprehensive genomic and phylogenetic analysis of bacterial sialic acid transporters, leading to the identification of multiple new families and subfamilies. Our phylogenetic analysis suggests that sialic acid-specific transport has evolved independently at least 8 times during the evolution of bacteria, from within 4 of the major families/superfamilies of bacterial transporters, and we propose a robust classification scheme to bring together a myriad of different nomenclatures that exist to date. The new transporters discovered occur in diverse bacteria including Spirochaetes, Bacteroidetes, Planctomycetes, and Verrucomicrobia, many of which are species that have not been previously recognised to have sialometabolic capacities. Two subfamilies of transporters stand out in being fused to the sialic acid mutarotase enzyme, NanM, and these transporter fusions are enriched in bacteria present in gut microbial communities. We also provide evidence for a possible function of a sialic acid transporter component in chemotaxis that is independent of transport. Our analysis supports the increasing experimental evidence that competition for host-derived sialic acid is a key phenotype for successful colonisation of complex mucosal microbiomes, such that a strong evolutionary selection has occurred for the emergence of sialic acid specificity within existing transporter architectures.


2020 ◽  
pp. jbc.RA120.015524
Author(s):  
Alexandra P Breslawec ◽  
Shaochi Wang ◽  
Crystal Li ◽  
Myles B Poulin

The exopolysaccharide poly-β-(1→6)-N-acetylglucosamine (PNAG) is a major structural determinant of bacterial biofilms responsible for persistent and nosocomial infections. The enzymatic dispersal of biofilms by PNAG-hydrolyzing glycosidase enzymes, such as Dispersin B (DspB), is a possible approach to treat biofilm dependent bacterial infections. The cationic charge resulting from partial de-N-acetylation of native PNAG is critical for PNAG-dependent biofilm formation. We recently demonstrated that DspB has increased catalytic activity on de-N-acetylated PNAG oligosaccharides, but the molecular basis for this increased activity is not known. Here, we analyze the role of anionic amino acids surrounding the catalytic pocket of DspB in PNAG substrate recognition and hydrolysis using a combination of site directed mutagenesis, activity measurements using synthetic PNAG oligosaccharide analogs, and in vitro biofilm dispersal assays. The results of these studies support a model in which bound PNAG is weakly associated with a shallow anionic groove on the DspB protein surface with recognition driven by interactions with the –1 GlcNAc residue in the catalytic pocket. An increased rate of hydrolysis for cationic PNAG was driven, in part, by interaction with D147 on the anionic surface. Moreover, we identified that a DspB mutant with improved hydrolysis of fully acetylated PNAG oligosaccharides correlates with improved in vitro dispersal of PNAG dependent Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilms. These results provide insight into the mechanism of substrate recognition by DspB and suggest a method to improve DspB biofilm dispersal activity by mutation of the amino acids within the anionic binding surface.


1994 ◽  
Vol 223 (1) ◽  
pp. 164-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
T.P. Mawhinney ◽  
D.L. Chance

1973 ◽  
Vol 133 (4) ◽  
pp. 623-628 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Neuberger ◽  
Wendy A. Ratcliffe

The hydrolysis of the model compound 2-O-methyl-4,7,8,9-tetra-O-acetyl-N-acetyl-α-d-neuraminic acid and neuraminidase (Vibrio cholerae) closely resembled that of the O-acetylated sialic acid residues of rabbit Tamm–Horsfall glycoprotein. This confirmed that O-acetylation was responsible for the unusually slow rate of acid hydrolysis of O-acetylated sialic acid residues observed in rabbit Tamm–Horsfall glycoprotein and their resistance to hydrolysis by neuraminidase. The first-order rate constant of hydrolysis of 2-methyl-N-acetyl-α-d-neuraminic acid by 0.05m-H2SO4 was 56-fold greater than that of 2-O-methyl-4,7,8,9-tetra-O-acetyl-N-acetyl -α-d-neuraminic acid. Kinetic studies have shown that in the pH range 1.00–3.30, the observed rate of hydrolysis of 2-methyl-N-acetyl-α-d-neuraminic acid can be attributed to acid-catalysed hydrolysis of the negatively charged CO2− form of the methyl ketoside.


1964 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 986-990 ◽  
Author(s):  
J A Cabezas ◽  
J Vazquez Porto

Abstract A simple spectrophotometric method is described for the sialic acids which utilizes the reaction with resorcinol and extraction with butyl acetate-n-butanol as a solvent. Normal values for adults, utilizing N-acetylneuraminic acid as a standard, were found to be 60 ± 10.4 mg./100 ml. Values for newborn babies averaged 40.4 ± 5.7. Similar values were found for specimens from 2-month-old infants to 27-year-old adults. Higher values were noted in the case of rickets, severe burns, rheumatic disease, and tuberculosis.


2020 ◽  
Vol 94 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen N. Barnard ◽  
Brynn K. Alford-Lawrence ◽  
David W. Buchholz ◽  
Brian R. Wasik ◽  
Justin R. LaClair ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Sialic acids (Sia) are the primary receptors for influenza viruses and are widely displayed on cell surfaces and in secreted mucus. Sia may be present in variant forms that include O-acetyl modifications at C-4, C-7, C-8, and C-9 positions and N-acetyl or N-glycolyl at C-5. They can also vary in their linkages, including α2-3 or α2-6 linkages. Here, we analyze the distribution of modified Sia in cells and tissues of wild-type mice or in mice lacking CMP-N-acetylneuraminic acid hydroxylase (CMAH) enzyme, which synthesizes N-glycolyl (Neu5Gc) modifications. We also examined the variation of Sia forms on erythrocytes and in saliva from different animals. To determine the effect of Sia modifications on influenza A virus (IAV) infection, we tested for effects on hemagglutinin (HA) binding and neuraminidase (NA) cleavage. We confirmed that 9-O-acetyl, 7,9-O-acetyl, 4-O-acetyl, and Neu5Gc modifications are widely but variably expressed in mouse tissues, with the highest levels detected in the respiratory and gastrointestinal (GI) tracts. Secreted mucins in saliva and surface proteins of erythrocytes showed a high degree of variability in display of modified Sia between different species. IAV HAs from different virus strains showed consistently reduced binding to both Neu5Gc- and O-acetyl-modified Sia; however, while IAV NAs were inhibited by Neu5Gc and O-acetyl modifications, there was significant variability between NA types. The modifications of Sia in mucus may therefore have potent effects on the functions of IAV and may affect both pathogens and the normal flora of different mucosal sites. IMPORTANCE Sialic acids (Sia) are involved in numerous different cellular functions and are receptors for many pathogens. Sia come in chemically modified forms, but we lack a clear understanding of how they alter interactions with microbes. Here, we examine the expression of modified Sia in mouse tissues, on secreted mucus in saliva, and on erythrocytes, including those from IAV host species and animals used in IAV research. These Sia forms varied considerably among different animals, and their inhibitory effects on IAV NA and HA activities and on bacterial sialidases (neuraminidases) suggest a host-variable protective role in secreted mucus.


2007 ◽  
Vol 282 (38) ◽  
pp. 27562-27571 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda L. Lewis ◽  
Hongzhi Cao ◽  
Silpa K. Patel ◽  
Sandra Diaz ◽  
Wesley Ryan ◽  
...  

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a common cause of neonatal sepsis and meningitis. A major GBS virulence determinant is its sialic acid (Sia)-capped capsular polysaccharide. Recently, we discovered the presence and genetic basis of capsular Sia O-acetylation in GBS. We now characterize a GBS Sia O-acetylesterase that modulates the degree of GBS surface O-acetylation. The GBS Sia O-acetylesterase operates cooperatively with the GBS CMP-Sia synthetase, both part of a single polypeptide encoded by the neuA gene. NeuA de-O-acetylation of free 9-O-acetyl-N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5,9Ac2) was enhanced by CTP and Mg2+, the substrate and co-factor, respectively, of the N-terminal GBS CMP-Sia synthetase domain. In contrast, the homologous bifunctional NeuA esterase from Escherichia coli K1 did not display cofactor dependence. Further analyses showed that in vitro, GBS NeuA can operate via two alternate enzymatic pathways: de-O-acetylation of Neu5,9Ac2 followed by CMP activation of Neu5Ac or activation of Neu5,9Ac2 followed by de-O-acetylation of CMP-Neu5,9Ac2. Consistent with in vitro esterase assays, genetic deletion of GBS neuA led to accumulation of intracellular O-acetylated Sias, and overexpression of GBS NeuA reduced O-acetylation of Sias on the bacterial surface. Site-directed mutagenesis of conserved asparagine residue 301 abolished esterase activity but preserved CMP-Sia synthetase activity, as evidenced by hyper-O-acetylation of capsular polysaccharide Sias on GBS expressing only the N301A NeuA allele. These studies demonstrate a novel mechanism regulating the extent of capsular Sia O-acetylation in intact bacteria and provide a genetic strategy for manipulating GBS O-acetylation in order to explore the role of this modification in GBS pathogenesis and immunogenicity.


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