低温木糖苷/阿拉伯呋喃糖苷酶AX543的基因克隆及性质研究

旨在获得在低温条件下具有高催化能力的低温木糖苷酶,并对其进行异源表达研究和酶学性质分析。利用Touch down PCR和TAIL PCR方法,从枝顶孢菌中克隆得到一个序列新颖的GH43家族双功能木糖苷酶/阿拉伯呋喃糖苷酶基因ax543,该酶基因在毕赤酵母中成功表达。酶学性质分析发现重组酶AX543的最适温度为25℃,在15℃和4℃仍有54%和21%的相对酶活;具有木糖苷酶和阿拉伯呋喃糖苷酶活性,并可以降解木二糖、木三糖、桦木木聚糖、榉木木聚糖和小麦阿拉伯木聚糖;可以与木聚糖酶Xyn11-1协同作用,协同度达1.46;具有高木糖/阿拉伯糖耐受性,抑制常数Ki分别为84.78 mmol/L和54.01 mmol/L。     

Leifsonia sp.ZF2019中一种新型耐木糖β-木糖苷酶的表达与特征

【目的】从栀子灰蝶幼虫分离的Leifsonia sp. ZF2019菌株中克隆表达出一种新型β-木糖苷酶Xyl4900,并研究其酶学性质,以期为开发适用于工业生产的β-木糖苷酶提供参考。【方法】采用生物信息学分析技术分析Leifsonia sp. ZF2019菌株的β-木糖苷酶Xyl4900基因并在大肠杆菌中表达了该基因,纯化并研究了其酶学性质。【结果】Xyl4900与GH3家族的β-葡萄糖苷酶同源性高,但带有β-木糖苷酶结构域,可特异性水解对硝基苯基β-D-吡喃木糖苷（p NPX）,是一种新型β-木糖苷酶。酶学特性分析显示,Xyl4900在45℃和pH 7.0的条件下酶活性最高,且在pH 6.0–9.0的范围内孵育14 h,仍保持80%以上的酶活力。除Cu²⁺外,其他金属离子（2.5 mmol/L）对Xyl4900酶活力无明显影响,且对低浓度有机溶剂（5%V/V）有较强耐受性。此外,在20%（W/V） NaCl或100mmol/L木糖溶液中Xyl4900的酶活性仍高于50%,表现出较好的盐和木糖耐受性。动力学参数分析显示,Xyl4900的K_m     

嗜冷嗜酸β-1,4-木聚糖酶及其钙离子依赖型碳水化合物结合模块

【目的】β-1,4-木聚糖酶是木聚糖降解的关键酶之一,嗜冷嗜酸木聚糖酶在功能性低聚木糖的制备中具有重要作用,但相关报道较少。【方法】从太平洋火色杆菌(Flammeovirga pacifica)菌株WPAGA1基因组发掘到一条新型的木聚糖酶序列,经基因合成、质粒构建和表达,并对其进行分离纯化及酶学性质研究。【结果】该木聚糖酶(Xyl4513)具有2个保守结构域,一个属于糖苷水解酶11家族(glycoside hydrolase family 11,GH11)催化模块(Xyl4513-T),另一个属于碳水化合物结合模块(carbohydrate-binding module,CBM) 60家族(CBM4513),这是一种非常罕见的GH11家族木聚糖酶含有CBM的现象。纯化后的Xyl4513最适反应温度和pH值分别为30℃、3.0,这一特性说明Xyl4513为嗜冷嗜酸β-1,4-木聚糖酶;而截短的木聚糖酶Xyl4513-T最适反应温度和pH值分别为20℃、4.0,且催化效率(k_cat/K_m)较前者下降了20%,说明CBM4513对酶稳定性和催化效...     

嗜冷嗜酸β-1,4-木聚糖酶及其钙离子依赖型碳水化合物结合模块

【目的】β-1,4-木聚糖酶是木聚糖降解的关键酶之一,嗜冷嗜酸木聚糖酶在功能性低聚木糖的制备中具有重要作用,但相关报道较少。【方法】从太平洋火色杆菌(Flammeovirga pacifica)菌株WPAGA1基因组发掘到一条新型的木聚糖酶序列,经基因合成、质粒构建和表达,并对其进行分离纯化及酶学性质研究。【结果】该木聚糖酶(Xyl4513)具有2个保守结构域,一个属于糖苷水解酶11家族(glycoside hydrolase family 11,GH11)催化模块(Xyl4513-T),另一个属于碳水化合物结合模块(carbohydrate-binding module,CBM)60家族(CBM4513),这是一种非常罕见的GH11家族木聚糖酶含有CBM的现象。纯化后的Xyl4513最适反应温度和pH值分别为30℃、3.0,这一特性说明Xyl4513为嗜冷嗜酸β-1,4-木聚糖酶;而截短的木聚糖酶Xyl4513-T最适反应温度和pH值分别为20℃、4.0,且催化效率(kcat/Km)较前者下降了20%,说明CBM4513对酶稳定性和催化效率有较大影响。Ca^(2+)、Mg2+和Ni2+对酶催化活性均有明显促进作用,其中Ca^(2+)效果更为明显。仅当含有Ca^(2+)时,CBM4513才对β-1,4-木聚糖具有特异性结合能力,属于Ca^(2+)依赖型CBM,其最大结合量为9.13μmol/g。【结论】本文获得了一种新型的嗜冷嗜酸木聚糖酶和相应的Ca^(2+)依赖型CBM,进一步丰富了它们的基因和蛋白资源。     

Bacillus pumilus阿拉伯呋喃糖苷酶的重组表达及水解木聚糖的研究

从短小芽孢杆菌中克隆阿拉伯呋喃糖苷酶基因xyn43并重组表达,有利于将该酶分离纯化后应用于其他半纤维素多糖的水解。该研究利用E.coli BL21表达系统对实验室克隆到的短小芽孢杆菌的α-L-阿拉伯呋喃糖苷酶基因xyn43进行重组表达并分析其酶学性质,将重组α-L-阿拉伯呋喃糖苷酶Xyn43和来源于棒曲霉突变菌株的商业木聚糖酶联合作用于燕麦木聚糖。结果表明:以燕麦木聚糖为底物,重组α-L-阿拉伯呋喃糖苷酶Xyn43的最适温度为50℃,最适p H为6.0。该酶在p H 5.0~10.0和45~55℃下较稳定。与木聚糖酶单独作用相比,重组Xyn43酶与商业木聚糖酶同时加入以及先用木聚糖酶水解后加入Xyn43酶,水解产物中的还原糖含量分别增加了16%和20%,木糖含量增加了35%和48%。该结果研究结果表明重组Xyn43酶能够和商业木聚糖酶协同降解燕麦木聚糖,提高水解效率,产生更多的木寡糖,阿拉伯糖和木糖。     

来源于瘤胃厌氧真菌Neocallimastix frontalis木聚糖酶在毕赤酵母中的表达

厌氧真菌Neocallimastix frontalis是瘤胃中降解木聚糖和纤维素的主要微生物之一,其木聚糖酶具有潜在的应用价值。对来源于Neocallimastix frontalis木聚糖酶基因Xyn11B进行密码子优化;通过全基因合成优化后的木聚糖酶基因Xyn11Bm,构建该基因的酵母表达载体p PIC9K-Xyn11Bm,并在毕赤酵母GS115中诱导表达。摇瓶水平时,重组Xyn11Bm酶活性最高为4 874.8U/m L。在10 L发酵罐中诱导96 h后,重组Xyn11Bm的酶活性为5 139.7 U/m L,菌体湿重和干重达到216.7 g/L和117.3 g/L。酶学性质分析表明,重组Xyn11Bm的最适反应温度为50℃,最适反应p H为5.0。在p H5.0-8.0时该酶具有较好的稳定性,但温度稳定性较差。底物特异性分析表明,重组Xyn11Bm可水解燕麦木聚糖、桦木木聚糖和可溶性木聚糖4-O-Me-D-glucurono-D-xylan,但不降解地衣多糖和大麦β-葡聚糖。结果表明重组Xyn11Bm具有潜在的应用价值。     

嗜碱细菌Cellulomonas bogoriensis 69B4T木聚糖酶的表达纯化及性质研究

【目的】对嗜碱细菌Cellulomonas bogoriensis 69B4~T产碱性木聚糖酶进行研究,克隆来源于该菌株的木聚糖酶基因,并对其进行异源表达、纯化及酶学性质的表征,为后续研究碱性木聚糖酶的耐碱机制及应用奠定基础。【方法】采用单因素分析法对菌株产碱性木聚糖酶情况进行研究;通过基因组分析,锚定5个内切木聚糖酶基因,利用同源扩增的方法进行克隆,并在大肠杆菌中重组表达,利用亲和层析对重组酶进行纯化,以木聚糖为底物表征木聚糖酶的酶学性质。【结果】来源于C. bogoriensis 69B4~T的5种木聚糖酶Xyn370、Xyn393、Xyn425、Xyn466和Xyn486均在大肠杆菌内实现了异源表达,并经亲和层析获得纯酶组分,其最适反应温度分别为60、50、40、40、60°C,在50°C范围内保温2h,残余酶活均在90%以上;最适反应p H分别为7.0、8.0、8.0、8.0、9.0,在p H5.0–9.0时具有较好的稳定性;5种重组木聚糖酶对部分金属离子和高浓度盐表现出较好的耐受性,对榉木木聚糖的酶活性最高,均为内切型木聚糖酶。【结论】本研究表达纯化的5种重组木聚糖酶具有耐盐碱的优良特性,且对温度、某些金属离子和化学试剂耐受,为研究木聚糖酶的耐碱机制及工业应用提供了酶源。     

瘤胃细菌GH48家族糖苷水解酶基因多样性

【目的】了解瘤胃细菌第48家族糖苷水解酶基因(GH48)多样性,为木质纤维素高效降解提供新的基因资源。【方法】通过基因序列比对,设计gh48的简并引物;同时提取两个瘤胃样品的总DNA和总RNA,并将总RNA逆转录成cDNA。以总DNA和cDNA为模板,通过PCR扩增分别建立克隆文库并对克隆文库进行测序;对所得序列进行out种类划分和聚类分析。【结果】本研究共得到了455条编码GH48家族蛋白的基因序列,核苷酸序列之间的相似性为58.65%-100%。对序列的进一步分析表明,89%可以作为区分其种类的界定标准。以此为依据确定所得到的基因序列分别编码66种不同的GH48家族蛋白,分别聚为5个相对独立的类群,其中新类群C中OTU65所代表的序列是cDNA克隆文库中的优势序列,分别占两个cDNA克隆文库的36.4%和19.5%。我们的结果揭示瘤胃细菌gh48基因具有丰富的多样性,同时,其中也存在优势表达的GH48家族蛋白。     

滇金丝猴粪便微生物GH10家族木聚糖酶基因多样性

【目的】分析滇金丝猴粪便微生物中GH10家族木聚糖酶的基因多样性。【方法】以野生和半圈养滇金丝猴粪便微生物宏基因组DNA为模板,用GH10木聚糖酶简并引物扩增木聚糖酶基因片段,利用p MD19-T载体构建细菌克隆文库并进行分析。【结果】从野生和半圈养滇金丝猴粪便微生物克隆文库中分别获得26、28条GH10木聚糖酶基因片段,与Gen Bank中木聚糖酶序列一致性分别介于58%-95%、63%-81%之间。比对分析表明,两种环境中的GH10木聚糖酶均来自厚壁菌门、拟杆菌门和未培养细菌。野生滇金丝猴粪便微生物的GH10木聚糖酶基因来源于Uncultured bacterium和Butyrivibrio、Bacteroides、Ruminococcus、Sphingobacterium、Chryseobacterium、Clostridium、Bacillus 7个属;而半圈养滇金丝猴粪便微生物的GH10木聚糖酶基因来源于Uncultured bacterium和Clostridium、Paludibacter、Sphingobacterium、Ruminococcus、Roseburia、Chryseobacterium 6个属,其中两种环境都存在来源于Ruminococcus、Clostridium、Chryseobacterium、Sphingobacterium的GH10木聚糖酶。【结论】滇金丝猴粪便微生物中含有丰富的GH10木聚糖酶基因,且野生和半圈养两种不同环境中GH10木聚糖酶基因的微生物来源存在一定差异。该研究丰富了动物胃肠道中GH10木聚糖酶基因多样性,并为新型木聚糖酶的开发和滇金丝猴胃肠道微生物资源的利用奠定了基础。     

嗜碱芽孢杆菌C-125木糖苷酶基因的表达与酶特征鉴定

嗜碱芽孢杆菌(Bacillus halodurans)C-125菌株的基因组中,一个编码木糖苷酶的基因(BH1068)被克隆并在大肠杆菌中获得高效表达。通过全面分析纯化蛋白,确证了它的木糖苷酶功能。该酶在pH4～9的范围内保持稳定,最适pH值为中性,有较宽的最适温度(35°C～45°C),且能在45°C范围内保持稳定。这些特性使得该酶可在较为宽广的条件下对木聚糖进行酶促降解。该酶对人工合成底物对硝基苯-β-木糖苷(p-nitrophenyl-β-xylose,pNPX)的比活力为174mU/mg蛋白质,且木糖对其反馈抑制较弱(抑制常数Ki为300mmol/L)。结果显示该酶是活性较高且较耐木糖抑制的细菌源木糖苷酶。该酶与商品化的木聚糖酶一起水解山毛举木聚糖(Beechwood xylan)时显示了增效作用,且水解率可获40%。该酶最适pH为中性,对木糖耐受等特性与大多数来源于真菌、最适pH为酸性、对木糖敏感的木糖苷酶将有较好的互补。结果表明该酶在木聚糖或含木聚糖多糖的单糖化过程可能发挥重要作用。     

High genetic diversity and different distributions of glycosyl hydrolase family 10 and 11 xylanases in the goat rumen

Background

The rumen harbors a complex microbial ecosystem for efficient hydrolysis of plant polysaccharides which are the main constituent of the diet. Xylanase is crucial for hemicellulose hydrolysis and plays an important role in the plant cell wall degradation. Xylanases of ruminal strains were widely studied, but few studies have focused on their diversity in rumen microenvironment.

Methodology/Principal Findings

We explored the genetic diversity of xylanases belonging to two major glycosyl hydrolase families (GH 10 and 11) in goat rumen contents by analyzing the amplicons generated with two degenerate primer sets. Fifty-two distinct GH 10 and 35 GH 11 xylanase gene fragments (similarity <95%) were retrieved, and most had low identities with known sequences. Based on phylogenetic analysis, all GH 10 xylanase sequences fell into seven clusters, and 88.5% of them were related to xylanases from Bacteroidetes. Five clusters of GH 11 xylanase sequences were identified. Of these, 85.7% were related to xylanases from Firmicutes, and 14.3% were related to those of rumen fungi. Two full-length xylanase genes (one for each family) were directly cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. Both the recombinant enzymes showed substantial xylanase activity, and were purified and characterized. Combined with the results of sheep rumen, Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes are the two major phyla of xylan-degrading microorganisms in rumen, which is distinct from the representatives of other environments such as soil and termite hindgut, suggesting that xylan-degrading microorganisms are environment specific.

Conclusion/Significance

The numerous new xylanase genes suggested the functional diversity of xylanase in the rumen microenvironment which may have great potential applications in industry and agriculture. The phylogenetic diversity and different distributions of xylanase genes will help us understand their roles in plant cell wall degradation in the rumen microenvironment.     

Molecular detection and diversity of xylanase genes in alpine tundra soil

Xylan is a major polysaccharide in plant cell walls, and its degradation is mainly conducted by microbial xylanases in nature. To explore the xylanase diversity in the environment, two sets of degenerate primers were designed based on the microbial xylanase sequences in Pfam database of glycosyl hydrolase (GH) family 10 and 11 and were used to amplify objective gene fragments directly from the alpine tundra soil DNA of the Tianshan Mountains, China. Ninety-six distinct GH 10 and 31 GH 11 xylanase gene fragments were retrieved, and most of them have low identities with known sequences in GenBank. Based on phylogenetic analysis, all of the GH 10 xylanase sequences fell into six clusters and were related to xylanases from Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, Verrucomicrobia, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Acidobacteria. Three clusters of GH 11 xylanase sequences were established, and two of them were related with enzymes from fungi. These results indicated the diversity of xylanase genes in this cold environment. Four xylanolytic strains were isolated from the soil, and GH 10 xylanase gene fragments were cloned using the same primers. A full-length gene was obtained and expressed in Escherichia coli, and the recombinant enzyme showed some cold-related characteristics. Our study provides an efficient molecular approach to study xylanase in complex environments and casts an insight into the diversity and distribution of xylanases in a cold environment, which is very meaningful to understand their roles in xylan degradation in nature.     

Identification of GH10 xylanases in strains 2 and Mz5 of Pseudobutyrivibrio xylanivorans

Genes encoding glycosyl hydrolase family 11 (GH11) xylanases and xylanases have been identified from Pseudobutyrivibrio xylanivorans. In contrast, little is known about the diversity and distribution of the GH10 xylanase in strains of P. xylanivorans. Xylanase and associated activities of P. xylanivorans have been characterized in detail in the type strain, Mz5. The aim of the present study was to identify GH10 xylanase genes in strains 2 and Mz5 of P. xylanivorans. In addition, we evaluated degradation and utilization of xylan by P. xylanivorans 2 isolated from rumen of Creole goats. After a 12-h culture, P. xylanivorans 2 was able to utilize up to 53 % of the total pentose content present in birchwood xylan (BWX) and to utilize up to 62 % of a ethanol-acetic acid-soluble fraction prepared from BWX. This is the first report describing the presence of GH10 xylanase-encoding genes in P. xylanivorans. Strain 2 and Mz5 contained xylanases which were related to GH10 xylanase of Butyrivibrio sp. Identifying xylanase-encoding genes and activity of these enzymes are a step toward understanding possible functional role of P. xylanivorans in the rumen ecosystem and contribute to providing an improved choice of enzymes for improving fiber digestion in ruminant animals, agricultural biomass utilization for biofuel production, and other industries.     

Shifts in xylanases and the microbial community associated with xylan biodegradation during treatment with rumen fluid

Treatment with rumen fluid improves methane production from non-degradable lignocellulosic biomass during subsequent methane fermentation; however, the kinetics of xylanases during treatment with rumen fluid remain unclear. This study aimed to identify key xylanases contributing to xylan degradation and their individual activities during xylan treatment with bovine rumen microorganisms. Xylan was treated with bovine rumen fluid at 37°C for 48 h under anaerobic conditions. Total solids were degraded into volatile fatty acids and gases during the first 24 h. Zymography showed that xylanases of 24, 34, 85, 180, and 200 kDa were highly active during the first 24 h. Therefore, these xylanases are considered to be crucial for xylan degradation during treatment with rumen fluid. Metagenomic analysis revealed that the rumen microbial community’s structure and metabolic function temporally shifted during xylan biodegradation. Although statistical analyses did not reveal significantly positive correlations between xylanase activities and known xylanolytic bacterial genera, they positively correlated with protozoal (e.g., Entodinium, Diploplastron, and Eudiplodinium) and fungal (e.g., Neocallimastix, Orpinomyces, and Olpidium) genera and unclassified bacteria. Our findings suggest that rumen protozoa, fungi, and unclassified bacteria are associated with key xylanase activities, accelerating xylan biodegradation into volatile fatty acids and gases, during treatment of lignocellulosic biomass with rumen fluid.     

Unusual microbial xylanases from insect guts

Recombinant DNA technologies enable the direct isolation and expression of novel genes from biotopes containing complex consortia of uncultured microorganisms. In this study, genomic libraries were constructed from microbial DNA isolated from insect intestinal tracts from the orders Isoptera (termites) and Lepidoptera (moths). Using a targeted functional assay, these environmental DNA libraries were screened for genes that encode proteins with xylanase activity. Several novel xylanase enzymes with unusual primary sequences and novel domains of unknown function were discovered. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated remarkable distance between the sequences of these enzymes and other known xylanases. Biochemical analysis confirmed that these enzymes are true xylanases, which catalyze the hydrolysis of a variety of substituted beta-1,4-linked xylose oligomeric and polymeric substrates and produce unique hydrolysis products. From detailed polyacrylamide carbohydrate electrophoresis analysis of substrate cleavage patterns, the xylan polymer binding sites of these enzymes are proposed.     

Unusual Microbial Xylanases from Insect Guts

Recombinant DNA technologies enable the direct isolation and expression of novel genes from biotopes containing complex consortia of uncultured microorganisms. In this study, genomic libraries were constructed from microbial DNA isolated from insect intestinal tracts from the orders Isoptera (termites) and Lepidoptera (moths). Using a targeted functional assay, these environmental DNA libraries were screened for genes that encode proteins with xylanase activity. Several novel xylanase enzymes with unusual primary sequences and novel domains of unknown function were discovered. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated remarkable distance between the sequences of these enzymes and other known xylanases. Biochemical analysis confirmed that these enzymes are true xylanases, which catalyze the hydrolysis of a variety of substituted β-1,4-linked xylose oligomeric and polymeric substrates and produce unique hydrolysis products. From detailed polyacrylamide carbohydrate electrophoresis analysis of substrate cleavage patterns, the xylan polymer binding sites of these enzymes are proposed.     

Metagenomic analysis of novel lignocellulose-degrading enzymes from higher termite guts inhabiting microbes

A metagenomic fosmid library was constructed from genomic DNA isolated from the microbial community residing in hindguts of a wood-feeding higher termite (Microcerotermes sp.) collected in Thailand. The library was screened for clones expressing lignocellulolytic activities. Fourteen independent active clones (2 cellulases and 12 xylanases) were obtained by functional screening at pH 10.0. Analysis of shotgun-cloning and pyrosequencing data revealed six ORFs, which shared less than 59% identity and 73% similarity of their amino acid sequences with known cellulases and xylanases. Conserved domain analysis of these ORFs revealed a cellulase belonging to the glycoside hydrolase family 5, whereas the other five xylanases showed significant identity to diverse families including families 8, 10, and 11. Interestingly, one fosmid clone was isolated carrying three contiguous xylanase genes that may comprise a xylanosome operon. The enzymes with the highest activities at alkaline pH from the initial activity screening were characterized biochemically. These enzymes showed a broad range of enzyme activities from pH 5.0 to 10.0, with pH optimal of 8.0 retaining more than 70% of their respective activities at pH 9.0. The optimal temperatures of these enzymes ranged from 50 degrees C to 55 degrees C. This study provides evidence for the diversity and function of lignocellulose-degrading enzymes in the termite gut microbial community, which could be of potential use for industrial processes such as pulp biobleaching and denim biostoning.     

Distribution of xylanase genes and enzymes among strains of Prevotella (Bacteroides) ruminicola from the rumen

The distribution of two xylanase genes was examined by Southern hybridization among 26 strains of the rumen anaerobic bacterium Prevotella (Bacteroides) ruminicola. Hybridization with a xylanase/endoglucanase gene from the type strain 23 was found in six strains while hybridization with a xylanase gene from strain D31d was found in 14 strains. Sequences related to both genes were present, on different restriction fragments, in six strains, whereas no hybridization to either gene was detected in five other strains capable of hydrolysing xylan, or in seven strains that showed little or no xylanase activity. Zymogram analyses of seven xylanolytic strains of P. ruminicola demonstrated interstrain variation in the apparent molecular masses of the major xylanases and carboxymethylcellulases that could be renatured following SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.     

Phylogenetic diversity and environment-specific distributions of glycosyl hydrolase family 10 xylanases in geographically distant soils

Background

Xylan is one of the most abundant biopolymers on Earth. Its degradation is mediated primarily by microbial xylanase in nature. To explore the diversity and distribution patterns of xylanase genes in soils, samples of five soil types with different physicochemical characters were analyzed.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Partial xylanase genes of glycoside hydrolase (GH) family 10 were recovered following direct DNA extraction from soil, PCR amplification and cloning. Combined with our previous study, a total of 1084 gene fragments were obtained, representing 366 OTUs. More than half of the OTUs were novel (identities of <65% with known xylanases) and had no close relatives based on phylogenetic analyses. Xylanase genes from all the soil environments were mainly distributed in Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, Dictyoglomi and some fungi. Although identical sequences were found in several sites, habitat-specific patterns appeared to be important, and geochemical factors such as pH and oxygen content significantly influenced the compositions of xylan-degrading microbial communities.

Conclusion/Significance

These results provide insight into the GH 10 xylanases in various soil environments and reveal that xylan-degrading microbial communities are environment specific with diverse and abundant populations.     

Xylanases and carboxymethylcellulases of the rumen protozoa Polyplastron multivesiculatum, Eudiplodinium maggii and Entodinium sp

Endoglucanase and xylanase activities of three rumen protozoa, Polyplastron multivesiculatum, Eudiplodinium maggii, and Entodinium sp. were compared qualitatively by zymograms and quantitatively by measuring specific activities against different polysaccharides. A set of carboxymethylcellulases and xylanases was produced by the large ciliates whereas no band of activity was observed for Entodinium sp. in zymograms. Specific activity of endoglucanases from P. multivesiculatum (1.3 micromol mg prot(-1) min(-1)) was twice that of E. maggii, whereas xylanase specific activity (4.5 micromol mg prot(-1) min(-1)) was only half. Very weak activities were observed for Entodinium sp. A new xylanase gene, xyn11D, from P. multivesiculatum was reported and its gene product compared to 33 other family 11 xylanases. Phylogenetic analysis showed that xylanase sequences from rumen protozoa are closely related to those of bacteria.