Characterization of Fungal FAD-Dependent AA3_2 Glucose Oxidoreductases from Hitherto Unexplored Phylogenetic Clades

The CAZy auxiliary activity family 3 (AA3) comprises FAD-dependent enzymes belonging to the superfamily of glucose-methanol-choline (GMC) oxidoreductases. Glucose oxidase (GOx; EC 1.1.3.4) and glucose dehydrogenase (GDH; EC 1.1.5.9) are part of subfamily AA3_2 and catalyze the oxidation of β-D-glucose at its anomeric carbon to D-glucono-1,5-lactone. Recent phylogenetic analysis showed that AA3_2 glucose oxidoreductases can be grouped into four major clades, GOx I and GDH I–III, and in minor clades such as GOx II or distinct subclades. This wide sequence space of AA3_2 glucose oxidoreductases has, however, not been studied in detail, with mainly members of GOx I and GDH I studied biochemically or structurally. Here, we report the biochemical characterization of four fungal glucose oxidoreductases from distinct, hitherto unexplored clades or subclades. The enzyme from Aureobasidium subglaciale, belonging to the minor GOx II clade, showed a typical preference for oxygen and glucose, confirming the correct annotation of this clade. The other three enzymes exhibited strict dehydrogenase activity with different substrate specificities. GDH II from Trichoderma virens showed an almost six-fold higher catalytic efficiency for maltose compared to glucose. The preferred substrate for the two GDH III enzymes from Rhizoctonia solani and Ustilago maydis was gentiobiose, a β(1→6) disaccharide, as judged from the catalytic efficiency. Overall, the newly studied AA3_2 glucose oxidoreductases showed a much broader substrate spectrum than the archetypal GOx from Aspergillus niger, which belongs to clade GOx I.

FAD-dependent C-glycoside–metabolizing enzymes in microorganisms: Screening, characterization, and crystal structure analysis

C-glycosides have a unique structure, in which an anomeric carbon of a sugar is directly bonded to the carbon of an aglycone skeleton. One of the natural C-glycosides, carminic acid, is utilized by the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries, for a total of more than 200 tons/y worldwide. However, a metabolic pathway of carminic acid has never been identified. In this study, we isolated the previously unknown carminic acid-catabolizing microorganism and discovered a flavoenzyme “C-glycoside 3-oxidase” named CarA that catalyzes oxidation of the sugar moiety of carminic acid. A Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) search demonstrated that CarA homologs were distributed in soil microorganisms but not intestinal ones. In addition to CarA, two CarA homologs were cloned and heterologously expressed, and their biochemical properties were determined. Furthermore, a crystal structure of one homolog was determined. Together with the biochemical analysis, the crystal structure and a mutagenesis analysis of CarA revealed the mechanisms underlying their substrate specificity and catalytic reaction. Our study suggests that CarA and its homologs play a crucial role in the metabolism of C-glycosides in nature.

Amylomaltases in Extremophilic Microorganisms

Amylomaltases (4-α-glucanotransferases, E.C. 2.4.1.25) are enzymes which can perform a double-step catalytic process, resulting in a transglycosylation reaction. They hydrolyse glucosidic bonds of α-1,4′-d-glucans and transfer the glucan portion with the newly available anomeric carbon to the 4′-position of an α-1,4′-d-glucan acceptor. The intramolecular reaction produces a cyclic α-1,4′-glucan. Amylomaltases can be found only in prokaryotes, where they are involved in glycogen degradation and maltose metabolism. These enzymes are being studied for possible biotechnological applications, such as the production of (i) sugar substitutes; (ii) cycloamyloses (molecules larger than cyclodextrins), which could potentially be useful as carriers and encapsulating agents for hydrophobic molecules and also as effective protein chaperons; and (iii) thermoreversible starch gels, which could be used as non-animal gelatin substitutes. Extremophilic prokaryotes have been investigated for the identification of amylomaltases to be used in the starch modifying processes, which require high temperatures or extreme conditions. The aim of this article is to present an updated overview of studies on amylomaltases from extremophilic Bacteria and Archaea, including data about their distribution, activity, potential industrial application and structure.

Light-Mediated Cross-Coupling of Anomeric Trifluoroborates

Stereoselective reactions at the anomeric carbon constitute the cornerstone of preparative carbohydrate chemistry. Here, we report the synthesis of axial C1 trifluoroborates and stereoselective C-arylation and etherification reactions under photoredox conditions. These reactions are characterized by high anomeric selectivities for 2-deoxysugars and broad substrate scope (24 examples), including disaccharides and trifluoroborates with free hydroxyl groups. Computational studies show that high axial selectivities for these reactions originate from a combination of kinetic anomeric effect of the intermediate C1 radical and stereoelectronic stabilization of Ni(III) through the metallo-anomeric effect. Taken together, this new class of carbohydrate reagents adds the palette of anomeric nucleophile reagents suitable for efficient installation C-C and Cheteroatom bonds.

Light-Mediated Cross-Coupling of Anomeric Trifluoroborates

Stereoselective reactions at the anomeric carbon constitute the cornerstone of preparative carbohydrate chemistry. Here, we report the synthesis of axial C1 trifluoroborates and stereoselective C-arylation and etherification reactions under photoredox conditions. These reactions are characterized by high anomeric selectivities for 2-deoxysugars and broad substrate scope (24 examples), including disaccharides and trifluoroborates with free hydroxyl groups. Computational studies show that high axial selectivities for these reactions originate from a combination of kinetic anomeric effect of the intermediate C1 radical and stereoelectronic stabilization of Ni(III) through the metallo-anomeric effect. Taken together, this new class of carbohydrate reagents adds the palette of anomeric nucleophile reagents suitable for efficient installation C-C and Cheteroatom bonds.

Thiomonosaccharide Derivatives from D-Mannose

Sulfur-containing monosaccharide derivatives can be highly valuable for obtaining compounds with biological activities. In this work, a synthetic route starting from D-mannose has been designed. After a convenient hydroxyl protection and anomeric carbon functionalization in a cyano group, a new carbohydrate analogue has been obtained with sulfur in the ring. The heteroatoms have been introduced by an SN2 mechanism, with subsequent cyclization. Structural identification has been performed by different spectroscopic techniques.

Characterization of kappa-carageenan from the red alga Kappaphycus striatum

The red alga Kappaphycus striatum is an economically important species and extensively cultivated in Vietnam as a material source for carrageenan production. To evaluate carrageenan quality, the characterization of carrageenan extracted from this alga was investigated. As a result, chemical composition of carrageenan consists of 32.4% of 3,6 anhydrogalactose and 24.3% of sulfate. Gelling and metling temperatures are 34.4oC and 55.6oC, respectively. Gel strength of 1.5% is 615 g/cm2 and average molecular weight is about 267 kDa. Furthermore, FT-IR spectrum showed intense absorption bands at 930 cm-1 and 850 cm-1 that attributed to 1,4-linked 3,6 anhydro-α-D-galactose and 1,3-linked β-D-galactose-4-sulfate of kappa-carrageenan, respectively. 13C NMR spectrum indicated the signals for anomeric carbon of β-D-galactose-4-sulfate at 102.6 ppm and anomeric carbon of 3,6-anhydro-α-D-galactose at 95.3 ppm. 13H NMR spectrum showed peak signals at 3.57 ppm and 5.1 ppm that corresponds with O-methyl proton of 1,3-linked 6-O-methyl-D-galactose and α-anomeric proton of 3,6 anhydro-α-D-galactose residues, respectively. The results show that the carrageenan from the red alga Kappaphycus striatus is kappa-carrageenan with the repeating disaccharide unit consisting of 1,3-linked 6-O-methylated, β-D-galactose-4-sulfate and 1,4-linked 3,6 anhydro-α-D-galactose and did not contain iota-carrageenan. Therefore, this alga may promise to be a good source for carrageenan production for application in food or medicine.

Photocatalyzed reductive fluoroalkylation of 2-acetoxyglycals towards the stereoselective synthesis of α-1-fluoroalkyl-C-glycosyl derivatives

A benign, efficient, regio- and stereoselective protocol for the syntheses of α-1-fluoroalkyl-C-glycosyl compounds bearing CF3, C4F9, and C6F13 substituents on the anomeric carbon has been developed.

Production and characterization of Aspergillus niger GH29 family α-fucosidase and production of a novel non-reducing 1-fucosyllactose

Fucosylated oligosaccharides are interesting molecules due to their bioactive properties. In particular, their application as active ingredient in milk powders is attractive for dairy industries. The objective of this study was to characterize the glycosyl hydrolase family 29 α-fucosidase produced by Aspergillus niger and test its ability to transfucosylate lactose with a view towards potential industrial applications such as the valorization of the lactose side stream produced by dairy industry. In order to reduce costs and toxicity the use of free fucose instead of environmentally questionable fucose derivatives was studied. In contrast to earlier studies, a recombinantly produced A. niger α-fucosidase was utilized. Using pNP-fucose as substrate, the optimal pH for hydrolytic activity was determined to be 3.8. The optimal temperature for a 30-min reaction was 60 °C, and considering temperature stability, the optimal temperature for a 24-h reaction was defined as 45 °C For the same hydrolysis reaction, the kinetic values were calculated to be 0.385 mM for the KM and 2.8 mmol/(mg*h) for the Vmax. Transfucosylation of lactose occurred at high substrate concentrations when reaction time was elongated to several days. The structure of the product trisaccharide was defined as 1-fucosyllactose, where fucose is α-linked to the anomeric carbon of the β-glucose moiety of lactose. Furthermore, the enzyme was able to hydrolyze its own transfucosylation product and 2′-fucosyllactose but only poorly 3-fucosyllactose. As a conclusion, α-fucosidase from A. niger can transfucosylate lactose using free fucose as substrate producing a novel non-reducing 1-fucosyllactose.