Biochemical characterization of a 27 kDa 1,3-β-d-glucanase from Trichoderma asperellum induced by cell wall of Rhizoctonia solani

Trichoderma asperellum produces two extracellular 1,3-β-d-glucanase upon induction with cell walls from Rhizoctonia solani. A minor 1,3-β-d-glucanase was purified to homogeneity by ion exchange chromatography on Q-Sepharose and gel filtration on Sephacryl S-100. A typical procedure provided 13.8-fold purification with 70% yield. SDS-PAGE of the purified enzyme showed a single protein band of molecular weight 27 kDa. The enzyme exhibited optimum catalytic activity at pH 3.6 and 45 °C. It was thermostable at 40 °C, and retained 75% activity after 60 min at 45 °C. The K_m and V_max values for 1,3-β-d-glucanase, using laminarin as substrate, were 0.323 mg ml⁻¹ and 0.315 U min⁻¹, respectively. The enzyme was strongly inhibited by Hg²⁺ and SDS. The enzyme was only active toward glucans containing β-1,3-linkages. Peptide sequences showed similarity with two endo-1,3(4)-β-d-glucanases from Aspergillus fumigatus Af293when compared against GenBank non-redundant database.     

Mutants of the white-rot fungus Sporotrichum pulverulentum with increased cellulase and β-d-glucosidase production

This paper reports the isolation of mutants of the white-rot fungus Sporotrichum pulverulentum and the results of a survey of enzymic activity among these mutants. The strains were screened for extracellular cellulase [see 1,4-(1,3;1,4)-β-d-glucan 4-glucanohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.4] and β-d-glucosidase (β-d-glucoside glucohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.21) production in shake flask experiments. Apart from strain 63-2, strains 6, 63, 9, L5, E-1 and UV-18 showed equal or higher endo-1,4-β-d-glucanase (cellulase), filter paper-degrading and β-d-glucosidase activities than S. pulverulentum. The cellulase activity obtained, measured as filter paper activity, was comparable to that reported for Trichoderma reesei QM9414. However, the β-d-glucosidase activity was about six times higher than for the QM9414 strain. The pH and temperature-activity profiles of crude β-d-glucosidase preparations from the various strains were determined and were found to be identical. The thermal stability at pH 4.5 and 40°C was 5 days for all these preparations.     

Purification and characterization of a 1,3-β-d-glucanase from Streptomyces torulosus PCPOK-0324

A hydrolytic enzyme designated as a 1,3-β-d-glucanase having an antifungal activity was purified and characterized from Streptomyces torulosus PCPOK-0324. Fungal growth inhibitors in the culture filtrates from an antagonistic S. torulosus PCPOK-0324 exhibited higher antifungal activity against the hyphal growth of Phytophthora capsici and Rhizoctonia solani. The 1,3-β-d-glucanase was purified by four chromatographic steps from culture supernatant. The molecular weight of the purified enzyme was estimated to be 31.5 kDa. The optimal pH and temperature were 7.5 and 50 °C. Both the purified enzyme and the antibiotic extract inhibited R. solani and P. capsici with minimal inhibitory concentration values of 12.50 and 6.25 mU ml⁻¹ and 3.95 and 1.94 μg ml⁻¹, respectively. Our findings collectively show that the 1,3-β-d-glucanase in combination with the antibiotic extract have strong synergistic antifungal activity against the hyphal growth of both fungi causing root rot disease in pepper plants.     

Occurrence of a procellulase in the culture filtrates of Penicillium janthinellum

The endo-1,4-β-d-glucanase [cellulase, 1,4-(1,3:1,4)-β-d-glucan 4-glucanohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.4] activity of two-day old culture filtrates of Penicillium janthinellum has been enhanced four-fold by incubating with a 10-day old culture filtrate of Penicillium funiculosum grown on the same medium. An inactive protein isolated by fractionation of two-day old culture filtrate of P. janthinellum using preparative isoelectric focusing, showed 30- to 50-fold enhancement of endo-1,4-β-d-glucanase activity. This fraction has been designated the ‘procellulase’ in the present paper. The purity of the procellulase was confirmed by analytical isoelectric focusing and sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. It had a molecular weight of 68 000 and an isoelectric point of pH 3.7.     

Identification, cloning, and expression of a GHF9 cellulase from Tribolium castaneum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

The availability of sequenced insect genomes has allowed for discovery and functional characterization of novel genes and proteins. We report use of the Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (red flour beetle) genome to identify, clone, express, and characterize a novel endo-β-1,4-glucanase we named TcEG1 (T. castaneum endoglucanase 1). Sequence analysis of a full-length TcEG1 cDNA clone (1356 bp) revealed sequence homology to enzymes in glycosyl hydrolase family 9 (GHF9), and verified presence of a change (Gly for Ser) in the conserved catalytic domain for GHF9 cellulases. This TcEG1 cDNA clone was predicted to encode a 49.5 kDa protein with a calculated pI of 5.39. Heterologous expression of TcEG1 in Drosophila S2 cell cultures resulted in secretion of a 51-kDa protein, as determined by Western blotting. The expressed protein was used to characterize TcEG1 enzymatic activity against two cellulose substrates to determine its specificity and stability. Our data support that TcEG1 as a novel endo-β-1,4-glucanase, the first functional characterization of a cellulase enzyme derived from an insect genome with potential applications in the biofuel industry due to its high relative activity at alkaline pH.     

Functional characterization and oligomerization of a recombinant xyloglucan-specific endo-β-1,4-glucanase (GH12) from Aspergillus niveus

Xyloglucan is a major structural polysaccharide of the primary (growing) cell wall of higher plants. It consists of a cellulosic backbone (beta-1,4-linked glucosyl residues) that is frequently substituted with side chains. This report describes Aspergillus nidulans strain A773 recombinant secretion of a dimeric xyloglucan-specific endo-β-1,4-glucanohydrolase (XegA) cloned from Aspergillus niveus. The ORF of the A. niveus xegA gene is comprised of 714 nucleotides, and encodes a 238 amino acid protein with a calculated molecular weight of 23.5 kDa and isoelectric point of 4.38. The optimal pH and temperature were 6.0 and 60 °C, respectively. XegA generated a xyloglucan-oligosaccharides (XGOs) pattern similar to that observed for cellulases from family GH12, i.e., demonstrating that its mode of action includes hydrolysis of the glycosidic linkages between glucosyl residues that are not branched with xylose. In contrast to commercial lichenase, mixed linkage beta-glucan (lichenan) was not digested by XegA, indicating that the enzyme did not cleave glucan β-1,3 or β-1,6 bonds. The far-UV CD spectrum of the purified enzyme indicated a protein rich in β-sheet structures as expected for GH12 xyloglucanases. Thermal unfolding studies displayed two transitions with mid-point temperatures of 51.3 °C and 81.3 °C respectively, and dynamic light scattering studies indicated that the first transition involves a change in oligomeric state from a dimeric to a monomeric form. Since the enzyme is a predominantly a monomer at 60 °C, the enzymatic assays demonstrated that XegA is more active in its monomeric state.     

Immobilization of Penicillium funiculosum cellulase on a soluble polymer

The three cellulase [see 1,4-(1,3;1,4)-β-d-glucan 4-glucanohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.4] components of Penicillium funiculosum have been immobilized on a soluble, high molecular weight polymer, poly(vinyl alcohol), using carbodiimide. The immobilized enzyme retained over 90% of cellulase [1,4-(1,3;1,4)-β-d-glucan 4-glucanohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.4], and exo-β-d-glucanase [1,4-β-d-glucan cellobiohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.91] and β-d-glucosidase [β-d-glucoside glucohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.21] activities. The bound enzyme catalysed the hydrolysis of alkali-treated bagasse with a greater efficiency than the free cellulase. The potential for reuse of the immobilized system was studied using membrane filters and the system was found to be active for three cycles.     

An endo-(1→3)-β-d-glucanase from the scallop Chlamys albidus: catalytic properties, cDNA cloning and secondary-structure characterization

An endo-(1→3)-β-d-glucanase (L₀) with molecular mass of 37 kDa was purified to homogeneity from the crystalline style of the scallop Chlamys albidus. The endo-(1→3)-β-d-glucanase was extremely thermolabile with a half-life of 10 min at 37 °C. L₀ hydrolyzed laminaran with K_m ∼ 0.75 mg/mL, and catalyzed effectively transglycosylation reactions with laminaran as donor and p-nitrophenyl β d-glucoside as acceptor (K_m ∼ 2 mg/mL for laminaran) and laminaran as donor and as acceptor (K_m ∼ 5 mg/mL) yielding p-nitrophenyl β d-glucooligosaccharides (n = 2-6) and high-molecular branching (1→3),(1→6)-β-d-glucans, respectively. Efficiency of hydrolysis and transglycosylation processes depended on the substrate structure and decreased appreciably with the increase of the percentage of β-(1→6)-glycosidic bonds, and laminaran with 10% of β-(1→6)-glycosidic bonds was the optimal substrate for both reactions. The CD spectrum of L₀ was characteristic for a protein with prevailing β secondary-structural elements. Binding L₀ with d-glucose as the best acceptor for transglycosylation was investigated by the methods of intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence and CD. Glucose in concentration sufficient to saturate the enzyme binding sites resulted in a red shift in the maximum of fluorescence emission of 1-1.5 nm and quenching the Trp fluorescence up to 50%. An apparent association constant of L₀ with glucose (K_a = 7.4 × 10⁵ ± 1.1 × 10⁵ M⁻¹) and stoichiometry (n = 13.3 ± 0.7) was calculated. The cDNA encoding L₀ was sequenced, and the enzyme was classified in glycoside hydrolases family 16 on the basis of the amino acid sequence similarity.     

Semicontinuous cellulase production in an aqueous two-phase system with Trichoderma reesei rutgers C30

Cellulases [see 1,4(1,3;1,4)-β-d-glucan 4-glucanohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.4] from Trichoderma reesei, Rutgers C30, can be semicontinuously produced in an aqueous two-phase system composed of dextran and poly(ethylene glycol) using Solka Floc BW 200 as substrate. When substrate was intermittently added along with fresh top phase, which replaced the withdrawn top phase containing the produced enzymes, a yield of 1740 U endo-β-d-glucanase/g cellulose and 59.3 FPU/g cellulose was extracted with the top phase. Without fresh substrate added, a yield of 3920 U endo-β-d-glucanase/g cellulose and 127.7 FPU/g cellulose was extracted after five runs.     

Simultaneous saccharification and fermentation of cellulose: effect of β-d-glucosidase activity and ethanol inhibition of cellulases

Compared with saccharification in the absence of yeast, simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) using Trichoderma cellulases and Saccharomyces cerevisiae enhanced cellulose hydrolysis rates by 13–30%. The optimum temperature for SSF was 35°C. The requirement for β-d-glucosidase (β-d-glucoside glucohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.21) in SSF was lower than for saccharification: maximal ethanol production was attained when the ratio of the activity of β-d-glucosidase to filter paper activity was ～1.0. Ethanol inhibited cellulases uncompetitively, with an inhibition constant of 30.5 gl ^?1, but its effect was less severe than that of an equivalent concentration of cellobiose or glucose. No irreversible denaturation of cellulases [1,4-(1,3;1,4)-β-d-glucan 4-glucanohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.4] by ethanol was observed.     

Characterization of cellulolytic enzymes and bioH2 production from anaerobic thermophilic Clostridium sp. TCW1

A thermophilic anaerobic bacterium Clostridium sp. TCW1 was isolated from dairy cow dung and was used to produce hydrogen from cellulosic feedstock. Extracellular cellulolytic enzymes produced from TCW1 strain were identified as endoglucanases (45, 53 and 70 kDa), exoglucanase (70 kDa), xylanases (53 and 60 kDa), and β-glucosidase (45 kDa). The endoglucanase and xylanase were more abundant. The optimal conditions for H₂ production and enzyme production of the TCW1 strain were the same (60 °C, initial pH 7, agitation rate of 200 rpm). Ten cellulosic feedstock, including pure or natural cellulosic materials, were used as feedstock for hydrogen production by Clostridium strain TCW1 under optimal culture conditions. Using filter paper at 5.0 g/L resulted in the most effective hydrogen production performance, achieving a H₂ production rate and yield of 57.7 ml/h/L and 2.03 mol H₂/mol hexose, respectively. Production of cellulolytic enzyme activities was positively correlated with the efficiency of dark-H₂ fermentation.     

Cloning and characterization of a xylanase,KRICT PX1 from the strain Paenibacillus sp. HPL-001

The KRICT PX1 gene (GB: FJ380951) consisting of 996 bp encoding a protein of 332 amino acids (38.1 kDa) from the recently isolated Paenibacillus sp. strain HPL-001 (KCTC11365BP) has been cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The xylanase KRICT PX1 showed high activity on birchwood xylan, and was active over a pH range of 5.0 to 11.0, with two optima at pH 5.5 and 9.5 at 50 °C with K_m value of 5.35 and 3.23, respectively. The xylanase activity was not affected by most salts, such as NaCl, LiCl, KCl, NH₄Cl, CaCl₂, MgCl₂, MnCl₂, and CsCl₂ at 1 mM, but affected by CuSO₄, ZnSO₄, and FeCl₃. One mM of EDTA, 2-mercaptoethanol, and PMSF did not affect the xylanase activity. TLC analysis of the catalyzed products after reaction with birchwood xylan revealed that xylobiose was the major product with smaller amounts of xylotriose and xylose. A similarity analysis of the amino acids in KRICT PX1 resulted 72% identity with xylanase from Geobacillus stearothermophilus (GB: ZP_03040360), 70% identity with intracellular xylanase from an uncultured bacterium (GB: AAP51133), 68% identity with endo-1-4-xylanse from Paenibacillus sp. (GB: ZP_02847150). In addition, the amino acid alignment of KRICT PX1 with glycosyl hydralase (GH) family 10 xylanases revealed a high degree of homology in highly conserved regions including the catalytic sites, and this was confirmed through PROSITE scan. These results imply that KRICT PX1 is a new xylanase gene, and this alkaline xylanase belongs to GH family 10.     

Increases in endo-1,4-β-d-glucanase titres produced by Aspergillus fumigatus through application of simple statistical methods

Yields of endo-1,4-β-d-glucanase [cellulase, 1,4-(1,3;1,4)-β-d-glucan 4-glucanohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.4] produced by Aspergillus fumigatus IMI 255091 in shake flask cultures have been improved through application of a form of evolutionary operation incorporating a standard factorial design. This approach gave considerable improvements in yield, up to the point at which the limitations of the shake flask technique were noticeable. Further improvements then resulted from use of a 5 litre disc-turbine agitated fermenter.     

Dynamic synergistic effect on Trichoderma reesei cellulases by novel β-glucosidases from Taiwanese fungi

Dynamic synergistic effects in cellulosic bioconversion have been revealed between Trichoderma reesei cellulases and β-glucosidases (BGLs) from six Taiwanese fungi. A high level of synergy (8.9-fold) was observed with the addition of Chaetomellaraphigera BGL to T. reesei cellulases. In addition, the C. raphigera BGL possessed the highest activity (V_max/K_m = 46.6 U/mg mM) and lowest glucose inhibition (Ki = 4.6 mM) with the substrate 4-nitrophenyl β-d-glucopyranoside. For the natural cellobiose substrate, however, the previously isolated Aspergillus niger BGL Novo-188 had the highest V_max/K_m (0.72 U/mg mM) and lowest Ki (59.5 mM). The demonstrated dynamic synergistic effects between some BGLs and the T. reesei cellulase system suggest that BGLs not only prevent the inhibition by cellobiose, but also enhance activities of endo- and exo-cellulases in cellulosic bioconversion. Comparisons of kinetic parameters and synergism analyses between BGLs and T. reesei cellulases can be used for further optimization of the cellulosic bioconversion process.     

Expression of multi-functional cellulase gene mfc in Coprinus cinereus under control of different basidiomycete promoters

Multi-functional cellulase gene mfc was expressed in Coprinus cinereus under naturally non-inductive conditions using three heterologous promoters. Endo-β-1,4-glucanase expression was achieved in solid and liquid media with promoter sequences from the Lentinula edodesgpd gene, the Flammulina velutipes gpd gene and the Volvariella volvaceagpd gene. As measured by enzyme activity in liquid cultures, a 613-bp gpd promoter fragment from L. edodes was most efficient, followed by a 752-bp gpd fragment from F. velutipes. The V. volvacea gpd promoter sequence was less active, in comparison. Irrespective of the promoter used, enzymatic activities increase 34-fold for highly active transformants and 29-fold for less active one by using cellulase-inducing medium. The highest activities of endo-β-1,4-glucanase (34.234 U/ml) and endo-β-1,4-xylanase (263.695 U/ml) were reached by using the L. edodesgpd promoter.     

The production of highly effective enzyme complexes of cellulases and hemicellulases based on the Penicillium verruculosum strain for the hydrolysis of plant raw materials

Methods for the production and analysis of cellulase and hemicellulase enzyme preparations of various compositions based on the Penicillium verruculosum carbohydrase complex and intended for the effective hydrolysis of different types of cellulose-containing materials (CCMs) have been developed. New recombinant strains of P. verruculosum producing multienzyme carbohydrase complexes with increased activities of cellulases (due to the expression of endo-β-1,4-glucanases I and IV and cellobiohydrolase II from Trichoderma reesei) and hemicellulases (due to the expression of endo-β-1,4-xylanases from P. canescens and T. reesei and endo-β-1,4-mannanase from T. reesei) were constructed. The hydrolytic efficiency of the enzyme preparations (EPs) produced by the new recombinant strains during continuous hydrolysis of three CCM types (milled aspen, depitched pine wood, and milled bagasse) was studied. It was shown that new EPs containing recombinant proteins and retaining their own basic cellulase complex are characterized by the highest hydrolytic ability, exceeding that of the EP based on the original P. verruculosum strain. The recombinant enzyme preparations were highly stable; the optimal pH and temperature values for cellulase, xylanase and mannanase activities were in the range of 3.5–5.5 and 50–80°C, respectively.     

Substrate binding to a GH131 β-glucanase catalytic domain from Podospora anserina

β-Glucanases have been utilized widely in industry to treat various carbohydrate-containing materials. Recently, the Podospora anserina β-glucanase 131A (PaGluc131A) was identified and classified to a new glycoside hydrolases GH131 family. It shows exo-β-1,3/exo-β-1,6 and endo-β-1,4 glucanase activities with a broad substrate specificity for laminarin, curdlan, pachyman, lichenan, pustulan, and cellulosic derivatives. Here we report the crystal structures of the PaGluc131A catalytic domain with or without ligand (cellotriose) at 1.8 Å resolution. The cellotriose was clearly observed to occupy the +1 to +3 subsites in substrate binding cleft. The broadened substrate binding groove may explain the diverse substrate specificity. Based on our crystal structures, the GH131 family enzyme is likely to carry out the hydrolysis through an inverting catalytic mechanism, in which E99 and E139 are supposed to serve as the general base and general acid.     

Purification and properties of two exo-cellobiohydrolases from a cellulolytic culture of Fusarium lini

Two distinct exo-cellobiohydrolases (1,4-β-d-glucan cellobiohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.91) have been isolated from culture filtrates of Fusarium lini by repeated ammonium sulphate fractionation and isoelectric focusing. The purified enzymes were evaluated for physical properties, kinetics and the mechanism of their action. The results of this work were as follows. (1) A two-step enzyme purification procedure was developed, involving isoelectric focusing and ammonium sulphate fractionation. (2) Yields of pure cellobiohydrolases I and II were 45 and 36 mg l^?1 of culture broth, respectively. (3) Both enzymes were found to be homogeneous, as determined by ultracentrifugation, isoelectric focusing, electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gels containing SDS and chromatography on Sephadex. (4) The molecular weights of the two cellobiohydrolases, as determined by gel filtration and SDS gel electrophoresis, were 50 000–57 000. (5) Both cellobiohydrolases had low viscosity-reducing and reducing sugar activity from carboxymethyl cellulose and high activity with Walseth cellulose and Avicel. (6) The enzymes produced only cellobiose as the end product from filter paper and Avicel, indicating that they are true cellobiohydrolases. (7) Cellobiohydrolase I hydrolysed d-xylan whereas cellobiohydrolase II was inactive towards d-xylan. (8) There was a striking synergism in filter paper activity when cellobiohydrolase was supplemented with endo-1,4-β-d-glucanase [cellulase, 1,4-(1,3;1,4)-β-d-glucan 4-glucanohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.4] and β-d-glucosidase (β-d-glucoside glucohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.21).     

A cryoprotective and cold-adapted 1,3-β-endoglucanase from cherimoya (Annona cherimola) fruit

A 1,3-β-glucanase with potent cryoprotective activity was purified to homogeneity from the mesocarp of CO₂-treated cherimoya fruit (Annona cherimola Mill.) stored at low temperature using anion exchange and chromatofocusing chromatography. This protein was characterized as a glycosylated endo-1,3-β-glucanase with a M_r of 22.07 kDa and a pI of 5.25. The hydrolase was active and stable in a broad acidic pH range and it exhibited maximum activity at pH 5.0. It had a low optimum temperature of 35 °C and it retained 40% maximum activity at 5 °C. The purified 1,3-β-glucanase was relatively heat unstable and its activity declined progressively at temperatures above 50 °C. Kinetic studies revealed low k_cat (3.10 ± 0.04 s⁻¹) and K_m (0.32 ± 0.03 mg ml⁻¹) values, reflecting the intermediate efficiency of the protein in hydrolyzing laminarin. Moreover, a thermodynamic characterization revealed that the purified enzyme displayed a high k_cat at both 37 and 5 °C, and a low E_a (6.99 kJ mol⁻¹) within this range of temperatures. In vitro functional studies indicated that the purified 1,3-β-glucanase had no inhibitory effects on Botrytis cinerea hyphal growth and no antifreeze activity, as determined by thermal hysteresis analysis using differential scanning calorimetry. However, a strong cryoprotective activity was observed against freeze-thaw inactivation of lactate dehydrogenase. Indeed, the PD₅₀ was 8.7 μg ml⁻¹ (394 nM), 9.2-fold higher (3.1 on a molar basis) than that of the cryoprotective protein BSA. Together with the observed accumulation of glycine-betaine in CO₂-treated cherimoya tissues, these results suggest that 1,3-β-glucanase could be functionally implicated in low temperature-defense mechanism activated by CO₂.     

Purification and characterization of two extracellular endochitinases from Massilia timonae

Two extracellular chitinases (designated as Chi-56 and Chi-64) produced by Massilia timonae were purified by ion-exchange chromatography, ammonium sulfate precipitation, and gel-filtration chromatography. The molecular mass of Chi-56 was 56 kDa as determined by both SDS-PAGE and gel-filtration chromatography. On the other hand, Chi-64 showed a molecular mass of 64 kDa by SDS-PAGE and 28 kDa by gel-filtration chromatography suggesting that its properties may be different from those of Chi-56. The optimum temperature, optimum pH, pI, K_m, and V_max of Chi-56 were 55 °C, pH 5.0, pH 8.5, 1.1 mg mL⁻¹, and 0.59 μmol μg⁻¹ h⁻¹, respectively. For Chi-64, these values were 60 °C, pH 5.0, pH 8.5, 1.3 mg mL⁻¹, and 1.36 μmol μg⁻¹ h⁻¹, respectively. Both enzymes were stimulated by Mn²⁺ and inhibited by Hg²⁺, and neither showed exochitinase activity. The N-terminal sequences of Chi-56 and Chi-64 were determined to be Q-T-P-T-Y-T-A-T-L and Q-A-D-F-P-A-P-A-E, respectively.