Expression of recombinant sea urchin cellulase SnEG54 using mammalian cell lines

We previously identified the cellulase SnEG54 from Japanese purple sea urchin Strongylocentrotus nudus, the molecular mass of which is about 54 kDa on SDS-PAGE. It is difficult to express and purify a recombinant cellulase protein using bacteria such as Escherichia coli or yeast. In this study, we generated mammalian expression vectors encoding SnEG54 to transiently express SnEG54 in mammalian cells. Both SnEG54 expressed in mammalian cells and SnEG54 released into the culture supernatant showed hydrolytic activity toward carboxymethyl cellulose. By using a retroviral expression system, we also established a mammalian cell line that constitutively produces SnEG54. Unexpectedly, SnEG54 released into the culture medium was not stable, and the peak time showing the highest concentration was approximately 1-2 days after seeding into fresh culture media. These findings suggest that non-mammalian sea urchin cellulase can be generated in human cell lines but that recombinant SnEG54 is unstable in culture medium due to an unidentified mechanism.     

Molecular cloning and characterization of a glycosyl hydrolase family 9 cellulase distributed throughout the digestive tract of the cricket Teleogryllus emma

A novel endogenous β-1,4-endoglucanase (EG) gene belonging to the glycosyl hydrolase family 9 (GHF 9) that is distributed throughout the digestive tract of the cricket Teleogryllus emma was cloned and characterized. This gene, named TeEG-I, consists of eight exons encoding 453 amino acid residues and exists as a single copy in the T. emma genome. TeEG-I possesses all the features, including signature motifs and catalytic domains, of GHF 9 members, sharing high levels of identity with the termite, Mastotermes darwiniensis (64% protein sequence identity), and the cockroach, Panesthia cribrata (62%), GHF 9 cellulases. Recombinant TeEG-I, which is expressed as a 47-kDa polypeptide in baculovirus-infected insect Sf9 cells, showed an optimal pH and temperature of pH 5.0 and 40 °C. The K_m and V_max values for digestion of carboxymethyl cellulose were 5.4 mg/ml and 3118.4 U/mg, respectively. Northern and Western blot analyses revealed that TeEG-I is present throughout the digestive tract, which correlated with the TeEG-I distribution and cellulase activity in the digestive tract as assayed by immunofluorescence staining and enzyme activity assay, respectively. These results indicate that TeEG-I is distributed throughout the entire digestive tract of T. emma, suggesting a functional role of endogenous TeEG-I in a sequential cellulose digestion process throughout the T. emma digestion tract.     

cDNA cloning and bacterial expression of an endo-β-1,4-mannanase, AkMan, from Aplysia kurodai

Previously we isolated an endo-β-1,4-mannanase (EC 3.2.1.78), AkMan, from the digestive fluid of a common sea hare Aplysia kurodai and demonstrated that this enzyme had a broad pH optimum spanning 4.0 to 7.5 and an appreciably high heat stability in this pH range (Zahura et al., Comp. Biochem. Physiol., B157, 137-148 (2010)). In the present study, we cloned the cDNA encoding AkMan and constructed a bacterial expression system for this enzyme to enrich information about the primary structure and the characteristic properties of this enzyme. cDNA fragments encoding AkMan were amplified by PCR followed by 5'- and 3'-RACE PCRs from the A. kurodai hepatopancreas cDNA using degenerated primers designed on the basis of partial amino-acid sequences of AkMan. The cDNA including entire translational region of AkMan consisted of 1392bp and encoded 369 amino-acid residues. The N-terminal region of 17 residues of the deduced sequence except for the initiation Met was regarded as the signal peptide of AkMan and the mature enzyme region was considered to comprise 351 residues with a calculated molecular mass of 39961.96Da. Comparison of the primary structure of AkMan with other β-1,4-mannanases indicated that AkMan belongs to the subfamily 10 of glycosyl-hydrolase-family-5 (GHF5). Phylogenetic analysis for the GHF5 β-1,4-mannanases indicated that AkMan together with other molluscan β-1,4-mannanases formed an independent clade of the subfamily 10 in the phylogenetic tree. The recombinant AkMan (recAkMan) was expressed with an Escherichia coli BL21(DE3)-pCold1 expression system as an N-terminal hexahistidine-tagged protein and purified by Ni-NTA affinity chromatography. The recAkMan showed the broad pH optimum in acidic pH range as did native AkMan; however, heat stability of recAkMan was considerably lower than that of native enzyme. This may indicate that the stability of AkMan is derived from an appropriate folding and/or some posttranslational modifications in Aplysia cells.     

Ancient origin of glycosyl hydrolase family 9 cellulase genes

While it is widely accepted that most animals (Metazoa) do not have endogenous cellulases, relying instead on intestinal symbionts for cellulose digestion, the glycosyl hydrolase family 9 (GHF9) cellulases found in the genomes of termites, abalone, and sea squirts could be an exception. Using information from expressed sequence tags, we show that GHF9 genes (subgroup E2) are widespread in Metazoa because at least 11 classes in five phyla have expressed GHF9 cellulases. We also demonstrate that eukaryotic GHF9 gene families are ancient, forming distinct monophyletic groups in plants and animals. As several intron positions are also conserved between four metazoan phyla then, contrary to the still widespread belief that cellulases were horizontally transferred to animals relatively recently, GHF9 genes must derive from an ancient ancestor. We also found that sequences isolated from the same animal phylum tend to group together, and in some deuterostomes, GHF9 genes are characterized by substitutions in catalytically important sites. Several paralogous subfamilies of GHF9 can be identified in plants, and genes from primitive species tend to arise basally to angiosperm representatives. In contrast, GHF9 subgroup E2 genes are relatively rare in bacteria.     

Correlation of cellulase gene expression and cellulolytic activity throughout the gut of the termite Reticulitermes flavipes

Termites have developed cellulose digestion capabilities that allow them to obtain energy and nutrition from nutritionally poor food sources, such as lignocellulosic plant material and residues derived from it (e.g., wood and humus). Lower termites, which are equipped with both endogenous (i.e., of termite origin) and symbiotic cellulases, feed primarily on wood and wood-related materials. This study investigated cellulase gene diversity, structure, and activity in the lower termite, Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar). We initially used a metagenomics approach to identify four genes encoding one endogenous and three symbiotic cellulases, which we refer to as Cell-1, -2, -3 and -4. These four genes encode proteins that share significant sequence similarity with known endoglucanases, exoglucanases and xylanases. Phylogenetic analyses further supported these inferred relationships by showing that each of the four cellulase proteins clusters tightly with respective termite, protozoan or fungal cellulases. Gene structure studies revealed that Cell-1, -3 and -4 are intron-free, while Cell-2 contains the first intron sequence to be identified from a termite symbiont cellulase. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) revealed that the endogenous Cell-1 gene is expressed exclusively in the salivary gland/foregut, whereas symbiotic Cell-2, -3, and -4 are highly expressed in the hindgut (where cellulolytic protists are harbored). Cellulase activity assays mapped the distribution pattern of endoglucanase, exoglucanase and xylanase activity throughout the R. flavipes digestive tract. Cellulase gene expression correlated well with the specific types of cellulolytic activities observed in each gut region (foregut+salivary gland, midgut and hindgut). These results suggest the presence of a single unified cellulose digestion system, whereby endogenous and symbiotic cellulases work sequentially and collaboratively across the entire digestive tract of R. flavipes.     

Characterization of a β-D-mannosidase from a marine gastropod, Aplysia kurodai

A β-D-mannosidase (EC 3.2.1.25) with a molecular mass of approximately 100 kDa was purified from the digestive fluid of a marine gastropod Aplysia kurodai by ammonium sulfate fractionation followed by column chromatographies on TOYOPEARL Butyl-650 M, TOYOPEARL DEAE-650 M, and Superdex 200 10/300 GL. This enzyme, named AkMnsd in the present study, showed optimal activities at pH 4.5 and 40 °C and was stable at the acidic pH range from 2.0 to 6.7 and the temperature below 38 °C. The Km and Vmax values for AkMnsd determined at pH 6.0 and 30 °C with p-nitrophenyl β-d-mannopyranoside were 0.10 mM and 3.75 μmol/min/mg, respectively. AkMnsd degraded various polymer mannans as well as mannooligosaccharides liberating mannose as a major degradation product. Linear mannan from green alga Codium fragile was completely depolymerized by AkMnsd in the presence of AkMan, an endolytic β-mannanase, which we previously isolated from the same animal (Zahura et al., Comp. Biochem. Physiol. B 157, 137-148 (2010)). A cDNA encoding AkMnsd was amplified from the Aplysia hepatopancreas cDNA by the PCR using degenerated primers designed on the basis of N-terminal and internal amino-acid sequences of AkMnsd. The cloned AkMnsd cDNA consisted of 2985 bp and encoded an amino-acid sequence of 931 residues with the calculated molecular mass of 101,970 Da. The deduced sequence of AkMnsd showed 20-43% amino-acid identity to those of glycoside-hydrolase-family 2 (GHF2) β-mannosidases. The catalytically important amino-acid residues determined in GHF2 enzymes were completely conserved in AkMnsd. Thus, AkMnsd is regarded as a new member of GHF2 mannosidase from marine gastropod.     

Purification and cDNA cloning of a cellulase from abalone Haliotis discus hannai.

A cellulase [endo-beta-1,4-D-glucanase (EC 3.2.1.4)] was isolated from the hepatopancreas of abalone Haliotis discus hannai by successive chromatographies on TOYOPEARL CM-650M, hydroxyapatite and Sephacryl S-200 HR. The molecular mass of the cellulase was estimated to be 66 000 Da by SDS/PAGE, thus the enzyme was named HdEG66. The hydrolytic activity of HdEG66 toward carboxymethylcellulose showed optimal temperature and pH at 38 degrees C and 6.3, respectively. cDNAs encoding HdEG66 were amplified by the polymerase chain reaction from an abalone hepatopancreas cDNA library with primers synthesized on the basis of partial amino-acid sequences of HdEG66. By overlapping the nucleotide sequences of the cDNAs, a sequence of 1898 bp in total was determined. The coding region of 1785 bp located at nucleotide position 56-1840 gave an amino-acid sequence of 594 residues including the initiation methionine. The N-terminal region of 14 residues in the deduced sequence was regarded as the signal peptide as it was absent in HdEG66 protein and showed high similarity to the consensus sequence for signal peptides of eukaryote secretory proteins. Thus, matured HdEG66 was thought to consist of 579 residues. The C-terminal region of 453 residues in HdEG66, i.e. approximately the C-terminal three quarters of the protein, showed 42-44% identity to the catalytic domains of glycoside hydrolase family 9 (GHF9)-cellulases from arthropods and Thermomonospora fusca. While the N-terminal first quarter of HdEG66 showed 27% identity to the carbohydrate-binding module (CBM) of a Cellulomonas fimi cellulase, CenA. Thus, the HdEG66 was regarded as the GHF9-cellulase possessing a family II CBM in the N-terminal region. By genomic PCR using specific primers to the 3'-terminal coding sequences of HdEG66-cDNA, a DNA of 2186 bp including three introns was amplified. This strongly suggests that the origin of HdEG66 is not from symbiotic bacteria but abalone itself.     

A GHF7 CELLULASE FROM THE PROTIST SYMBIONT COMMUNITY OF Reticulitermes flavipes ENABLES MORE EFFICIENT LIGNOCELLULOSE PROCESSING BY HOST ENZYMES

Termites and their gut microbial symbionts efficiently degrade lignocellulose into fermentable monosaccharides. This study examined three glycosyl hydrolase family 7 (GHF7) cellulases from protist symbionts of the termite Reticulitermes flavipes. We tested the hypotheses that three GHF7 cellulases (GHF7‐3, GHF7‐5, and GHF7‐6) can function synergistically with three host digestive enzymes and a fungal cellulase preparation. Full‐length cDNA sequences of the three GHF7s were assembled and their protist origins confirmed through a combination of quantitative PCR and cellobiohydrolase (CBH) activity assays. Recombinant versions of the three GHF7s were generated using a baculovirus‐insect expression system and their activity toward several model substrates compared with and without metallic cofactors. GHF7‐3 was the most active of the three cellulases; it exhibited a combination of CBH, endoglucanase (EGase), and β‐glucosidase activities that were optimal around pH 7 and 30°C, and enhanced by calcium chloride and zinc sulfate. Lignocellulose saccharification assays were then done using various combinations of the three GHF7s along with a host EGase (Cell‐1), beta‐glucosidase (β‐glu), and laccase (LacA). GHF7‐3 was the only GHF7 to enhance glucose release by Cell‐1 and β‐glu. Finally, GHF7‐3, Cell‐1, and β‐glu were individually tested with a commercial fungal cellulase preparation in lignocellulose saccharification assays, but only β‐glu appreciably enhanced glucose release. Our hypothesis that protist GHF7 cellulases are capable of synergistic interactions with host termite digestive enzymes is supported only in the case of GHF7‐3. These findings suggest that not all protist cellulases will enhance saccharification by cocktails of other termite or fungal lignocellulases.     

Structure and function of a cellulase gene in redclaw crayfish, Cherax quadricarinatus

The most abundant organic compound produced by plants is cellulose; however, it has long been accepted that most animals do not produce endogenous enzymes required for its degradation, but rely instead on symbiotic relationships with microbes that produce the necessary enzymes. Here, we present the genomic organisation of an endogenous glycosyl hydrolase family (GHF) 9 gene in redclaw crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus), consolidated from a cDNA sequence determined by Byrne et al. [Gene 239 (1999) 317–324.]. Comparison with several other invertebrate GHF9 genes reveals the conservation of both intron position/phase and splice sequence, which adds support to an argument for an ancestral animal cellulase gene. Furthermore, two introns in plant GHF9 genes are also identical in position, implying a more ancient origin for this class of animal cellulase.

Protein purification from redclaw gastric fluid via fast performance liquid chromatography (FPLC) indicated the presence of two endoglucanase enzymes. The molecular weights of these components were determined by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation—time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) to be 47,887 Da (Cel1) and 50,295 Da (Cel2). Cel1 is possibly the functional product of the described cellulase gene, with N-terminal amino acid residues identical to the translated amino acid sequence from the corresponding gene region. Cel2 was identical to Cel1 for 7 of 11 N-terminal residues and likely to be the product of a paralogous endoglucanase gene. These results suggest that redclaw crayfish possess at least one and possibly two functional, endoglucanase enzymes, although further work is required to confirm their origin and attributes.     

Molecular cloning, expression, and enzymatic activity of a novel endogenous cellulase from the mulberry longicorn beetle, Apriona germari

A novel endogenous beta-1,4-endoglucanase (Ag-EGase III) gene belonging to the glycoside hydrolase family (GHF) 5 was cloned from the mulberry longicorn beetle, Apriona germari. The Ag-EGase III gene spans 1061 bp and consists of a single exon coding for 325 amino acid residues. The Ag-EGase III showed 89% protein sequence identity to another beetle, Psacothea hilaris, cellulase belonging to GHF 5. The Ag-EGase III has the potential proton donor and nucleophile amino acids conserved in GHF 5 and two putative N-glycosylation sites. Northern blot and Western blot analyses showed that Ag-EGases were expressed in the gut; Ag-EGase III and Ag-EGase I were expressed in three gut regions, and no Ag-EGase II was found in hindgut, indicating that the foregut and midgut are the prime sites for cellulase synthesis in A. germari larvae. The cDNA encoding Ag-EGase III was expressed as a 47-kDa polypeptide in baculovirus-infected insect Sf9 cells and the enzyme activity of the purified recombinant Ag-EGase III was approximately 1037 U per mg of recombinant Ag-EGase III. The enzymatic property of the purified recombinant Ag-EGase III showed the highest activity at 55 degrees C and pH 6.0, and was stable at 60 degrees C at least for 10 min. In addition, the N-glycosylation of Ag-EGase III was revealed by treatment with tunicamycin of recombinant virus-infected insect Sf9 cells and with endoglycosidase F of purified recombinant Ag-EGase III, demonstrating that the carbohydrate moieties are not necessary for enzyme activity.     

Purification, characterization, cDNA cloning and nucleotide sequencing of a cellulase from the yellow-spotted longicorn beetle, Psacothea hilaris.

A cellulase (endo-beta-1,4-glucanase, EC 3.2.1.4) was purified from the gut of larvae of the yellow-spotted longicorn beetle Psacothea hilaris by acetone precipitation and elution from gels after native PAGE and SDS/PAGE with activity staining. The purified protein formed a single band, and the molecular mass was estimated to be 47 kDa. The purified cellulase degraded carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), insoluble cello-oligosaccharide (average degree of polymerization 34) and soluble cello-oligosaccharides longer than cellotriose, but not crystalline cellulose or cellobiose. The specific activity of the cellulase against CMC was 150 micro mol.min-1.(mg protein)-1. TLC analysis showed that the cellulase produces cellotriose and cellobiose from insoluble cello-oligosaccharides. However, a glucose assay linked with glucose oxidase detected a small amount of glucose, with a productivity of 0.072 micro mol.min-1.(mg protein)-1. The optimal pH of P. hilaris cellulase was 5.5, close to the pH in the midgut of P. hilaris larvae. The N-terminal amino-acid sequence of the purified P. hilaris cellulase was determined and a degenerate primer designed, which enabled a 975-bp cDNA clone containing a typical polyadenylation signal to be obtained by PCR and sequencing. The deduced amino-acid sequence of P. hilaris cellulase showed high homology to members of glycosyl hydrolase family 5 subfamily 2, and, in addition, a signature sequence for family 5 was found. Thus, this is the first report of a family 5 cellulase from arthropods.     

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.     

Dual cellulose-digesting system of the wood-feeding termite,Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki

The distribution of endo-beta-1,4-glucanase (EG) components in the digestive system of the wood-feeding termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, was investigated by zymogram analysis using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, followed by N-terminal protein sequencing. EG components similar to glycoside hydrolase family (GHF) 9 members were restricted to the salivary glands, the foregut, and the midgut, whereas components similar to GHF7 members were confined to the hindgut where numerous cellulolytic flagellates were harbored. RT-PCR experiments revealed that five GHF9 EG mRNAs (1348 bp) homologous to other termite EGs were expressed in the salivary glands and the midgut. The crude extract prepared from the midgut as well as that from the hindgut produced glucose from crystalline cellulose. These data suggest that C. formosanus has two independent cellulose-digesting systems: one in the midgut where cellulose digestion is accomplished by endogenous cellulases and the other in the hindgut which makes use of other cellulases possibly from symbiotic flagellates.     

Comprehensive Enzymatic Analysis of the Cellulolytic System in Digestive Fluid of the Sea Hare Aplysia kurodai. Efficient Glucose Release from Sea Lettuce by Synergistic Action of 45 kDa Endoglucanase and 210 kDa ?-Glucosidase

Although many endo-ß-1,4-glucanases have been isolated in invertebrates, their cellulolytic systems are not fully understood. In particular, gastropod feeding on seaweed is considered an excellent model system for production of bioethanol and renewable bioenergy from third-generation feedstocks (microalgae and seaweeds). In this study, enzymes involved in the conversion of cellulose and other polysaccharides to glucose in digestive fluids of the sea hare (Aplysia kurodai) were screened and characterized to determine how the sea hare obtains glucose from sea lettuce (Ulva pertusa). Four endo-ß-1,4-glucanases (21K, 45K, 65K, and 95K cellulase) and 2 ß-glucosidases (110K and 210K) were purified to a homogeneous state, and the synergistic action of these enzymes during cellulose digestion was analyzed. All cellulases exhibited cellulase and lichenase activities and showed distinct cleavage specificities against cellooligosaccharides and filter paper. Filter paper was digested to cellobiose, cellotriose, and cellotetraose by 21K cellulase, whereas 45K and 65K enzymes hydrolyzed the filter paper to cellobiose and glucose. 210K ß-glucosidase showed unique substrate specificity against synthetic and natural substrates, and 4-methylumbelliferyl (4MU)-ß-glucoside, 4MU–ß-galactoside, cello-oligosaccharides, laminarin, and lichenan were suitable substrates. Furthermore, 210K ß-glucosidase possesses lactase activity. Although ß-glucosidase and cellulase are necessary for efficient hydrolysis of carboxymethylcellulose to glucose, laminarin is hydrolyzed to glucose only by 210K ß-glucosidase. Kinetic analysis of the inhibition of 210K ß-glucosidase by D-glucono-1,5-lactone suggested the presence of 2 active sites similar to those of mammalian lactase-phlorizin hydrolase. Saccharification of sea lettuce was considerably stimulated by the synergistic action of 45K cellulase and 210K ß-glucosidase. Our results indicate that 45K cellulase and 210K ß-glucosidase are the core components of the sea hare digestive system for efficient production of glucose from sea lettuce. These findings contribute important new insights into the development of biofuel processing biotechnologies from seaweed.     

Large-Scale Analyses of Glycosylation in Cellulases

Cellulases are important glycosyl hydrolases (GHs) that hydrolyze cellulose polymers into smaller oligosaccharides by breaking the cellulose β (1→4) bonds,and they are widely used to produce cellulosic ethanol from the plant biomass.N-linked and O-linked glycosylations were proposed to impact the catalytic efficiency,cellulose binding affinity and the stability of cellulases based on observations of individual cellulases.As far as we know,there has not been any systematic analysis of the distributions of N-...     

A novel cellulase gene from the mulberry longicorn beetle, Apriona germari: gene structure, expression, and enzymatic activity

We have previously cloned a cellulase [β-1,4-endoglucanase (EGase), EC 3.2.1.4] cDNA (Ag-EGase I) belonging to glycoside hydrolase family (GHF) 45 from the mulberry longicorn beetle, Apriona germari. We report here the gene structure, expression and enzyme activity of an additional celluase (Ag-EGase II) from A. germari and also described the gene structure of Ag-EGase I. The Ag-EGase II gene spans 1033 bp and consisted of two introns and three exons coding for 239 amino acid residues. The 2713-bp-long genomic DNA of Ag-EGase I also consisted of two introns and three exons. The Ag-EGase II showed 61% protein sequence identity to Ag-EGase I and 51% to another beetle, Phaedon cochleariae, cellulase, belonging to GHF 45. The catalytic sites of GHF 45 are conserved in Ag-EGase II. The Ag-EGase II has 14 conserved cysteine residues and three putative N-glycosylation sites. Northern blot analysis confirmed midgut-specific expression of Ag-EGase II, suggesting that the midgut is the prime site for cellulase synthesis in A. germari larvae. The cDNA encoding Ag-EGase II was expressed as a 36-kDa polypeptide in baculovirus-infected insect Sf9 cells and the enzyme activity of the purified recombinant Ag-EGase II was approximately 812 U/mg of recombinant Ag-EGase II. The enzymatic properties of the purified recombinant Ag-EGase II showed the highest activity at 50 °C and pH 6.0, and were stable at 60 °C at least for 10 min.     

Isolation and cloning of an endo-beta-1,4-mannanase from Pacific abalone Haliotis discus hannai

An endo-beta-1,4-mannanase was isolated from digestive fluid of Pacific abalone, Haliotis discus hannai, by successive chromatographies on TOYPEARL CM-650M, hydroxyapatite, and TOYOPEARL HW50F. The abalone mannanase, named HdMan in the present paper, showed a molecular mass of approximately 39,000 Da on SDS-PAGE, and exhibited high hydrolyic activity on both galactomannan from locust bean gum and glucomannan from konjac at an optimal pH and temperature of 7.5 and 45 degrees C, respectively. HdMan could degrade either beta-1,4-mannan or beta-1,4-mannooligosaccharides to mannotriose and mannobiose similarly to beta-1,4-mannanases from Pomacea, Littorina, and Mytilus. In addition, HdMan could disperse the fronds of a red alga Porphyra yezoensis into cell masses consisting of 10-20 cells that are available for cell engineering of this alga. cDNAs encoding HdMan were amplified by polymerase chain reaction from an abalone-hepatopancreas cDNA library. From the nucleotide sequences of the cDNAs, the sequence of 1232 bp in total was determined and the amino-acid sequence of 377 residues was deduced from the translational region of 1134 bp locating at nucleotide positions 15-1148. The N-terminal region of 17 residues except for the initiation Met, was regarded as the signal peptide of HdMan because it was absent in the HdMan protein and showed high similarity to the consensus sequence for signal peptides of eukaryote secretory proteins. Accordingly, mature HdMan was considered to consist of 359 residues with the calculated molecular mass of 39,627.2 Da. HdMan is classified into glycoside hydrolase family 5 (GHF5) on the basis of sequence homology to GHF5 enzymes.     

Cloning and sequencing of a molluscan endo-beta-1,4-glucanase gene from the blue mussel, Mytilus edulis.

Using polymerase chain reaction, cloning and sequencing techniques, a complementary DNA encoding a low molecular mass cellulase (endo-1,4-beta-D-glucanase, EC 3.2.1.4) has been identified in the digestive gland of the marine mussel, Mytilus edulis. It contains a 5' untranslated region, a 633-nucleotide ORF encoding a 211 amino-acid protein, including a 17 amino-acid signal peptide and a complete 3' untranslated region. At the C-terminal end of the purified mature protein, a 13 amino-acid peptide is lacking in comparison to the protein sequence deduced from the ORF. This peptide is probably removed as a consequence of post-translational amidation of the C-terminal glutamine. The endoglucanase genes have been isolated and sequenced from both Swedish and French mussels. The coding parts of these two sequences are identical. Both genes contain two introns, the positions of which are conserved. However the length of the introns are different due to base substitutions, insertions or deletions showing the existence of interspecies length polymorphism. The percentage of similarity for the introns of the two gene sequences is 96.9%. This is the first time a molluscan cellulase is characterized at DNA level. Amino acid sequence-based classification has revealed that the enzyme belongs to the glycosyl hydrolase family 45 [B. Henrissat (Centre de Recherches sur les Macromolecules Végétales, CNRS, Joseph Fourier Université, Grenoble, France), personal communication]. There is no cellulose binding domain associated with the sequence.