A bifunctional xylanase encoded by the xynA gene of the rumen cellulolytic bacterium Ruminococcus flavefaciens 17 comprises two dissimilar domains linked by an asparagine/glutamine-rich sequence

The nucleotide sequence of the xynA gene of Ruminococcus flavefaciens 17 was determined and found to consist of a 2862bp open reading frame beginning with a TTG start codon. The predicted product, XYLA, consisted of distinct amino-terminal (A) and carboxy terminal (C) domains (248 amino acids, including a putative signal sequence, and 332 amino acids, respectively) linked by a repetitive sequence (B, 374 amino acids) extraordinarily rich in asparagine (45%) and glutamine (26%) residues. Domains A and C were shown to be capable of expressing xylanase activity independently of each other when suitably truncated derivatives of the xynA coding region were expressed as lacZ fusions. The activities associated with the two domains were shown to differ with respect to the average size of hydrolysis products formed from oat-spelt xylan, with domain C releasing relatively more xylose and domain A more xylo-oligosaccharides. The amino acid sequence of domain A of XYLA closely resembled that of the Bacillus pumilus xynA enzyme (45% identical residues). On the other hand domain C showed significant similarity (33% to 40% identical residues) to a different group of bacterial xylanases and exoglucanases exemplified by the Caldocellum saccharolyticum xynA and celB products. The xynA product is, therefore, a bifunctional enzyme having two dissimilar catalytic domains capable of acting on xylan.     

Spatial separation of protein domains is not necessary for catalytic activity or substrate binding in a xylanase.

Xylanase A (XYLA) from Pseudomonas fluorescens subspecies cellulosa shows sequence conservation with two endoglucanases from the same organism. The conserved sequence in XYLA, consisting of the N-terminal 234 residues, is not essential for catalytic activity. Full-length XYLA and a fusion enzyme, consisting of the N-terminal 100 residues of XYLA linked to mature alkaline phosphatase, bound tightly to crystalline cellulose (Avicel), but not to xylan. The capacity of truncated derivatives of the xylanase to bind polysaccharides was investigated. XYLA lacking the first 13 N-terminal amino acids did not bind to cellulose. However, a catalytically active XYLA derivative (XYLA'), in which residues 100-234 were deleted, bound tightly to Avicel. Substrate specificity, cellulose-binding capacity, specific activity and Km for xylan hydrolysis were evaluated for each of the xylanases. No differences in any of these parameters were detected for the two enzymes. It is concluded that XYLA contains a cellulose-binding domain consisting of the N-terminal 100 residues which is distinct from the active site. Spatial separation of the catalytic and cellulose-binding domains is not essential for the enzyme to function normally.     

Characterization of a Neocallimastix patriciarum xylanase gene and its product

A xylanase gene (xynC) isolated from the anaerobic ruminal fungus Neocallimastix patriciarum was characterized. The gene consists of an N-terminal catalytic domain that exhibited homology to family 11 of glycosyl hydrolases, a C-terminal cellulose binding domain (CBD) and a putative dockerin domain in between. Each domain was linked by a short linker domain rich in proline and alanine. Deletion analysis demonstrated that the CBD was essential for optimal xylanase activity of the enzyme, while the putative dockerin domain may not be required for enzyme function.     

Cloning, sequencing, and expression of a xylanase gene from the anaerobic ruminal bacterium Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens.

A gene coding for xylanase activity, xynA, from the anaerobic ruminal bacterium Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens 49 was cloned into Escherichia coli JM83 by using plasmid pUC19. The gene was located on a 2.3-kilobase (kb) DNA insert composed of two adjacent EcoRI fragments of 1.65 and 0.65 kb. Expression of xylanase activity required parts of both EcoRI segments. In E. coli, the cloned xylanase enzyme was not secreted and remained cell associated. The enzyme exhibited no arabinosidase, cellulase, alpha-glucosidase, or xylosidase activity. The isoelectric point of the cloned protein was approximately 9.8, and optimal xylanase activity was obtained at pH 5.4. The nucleotide sequence of the 1,535-base-pair EcoRV-EcoRI segment from the B. fibrisolvens chromosome that included the xynA gene was determined. An open reading frame was found that encoded a 411-amino-acid-residue polypeptide of 46,664 daltons. A putative ribosome-binding site, promoter, and leader sequence were identified. Comparison of the XynA protein sequence with that of the XynA protein from alkalophilic Bacillus sp. strain C-125 revealed considerable homology, with 37% identical residues or conservative changes. The presence of the cloned xylanase gene in other strains of Butyrivibrio was examined by Southern hybridization. The cloned xylanase gene hybridized strongly to chromosomal sequences in only two of five closely related strains.     

产木聚糖酶厌氧真菌菌株筛选及产酶培养条件研究*

从12株分离自反刍动物瘤胃及粪样的厌氧真菌中筛选到一株木聚糖酶高产菌,编号为A4,初步鉴定为Neocallimastix属菌。以稻草秸、玉米秸、花生秸、滤纸片段为发酵底物,经39℃厌氧培养,A4菌产生的木聚糖酶活分别为14.31U/mL、11.39U/mL、6.99U/mL和13.38U/mL。对A4菌产生木聚糖酶的条件进行优化,结果发现,培养基中无细胞瘤胃液浓度对A4菌产生的木聚糖酶活无显著影响;但酵母膏浓度从1.0g/L降至0.5g/L后,A4菌产生的木聚糖酶活显著下降(P<0.05)。     

利用真菌纤维素结合域(CBD)保守性序列进行草菇木聚糖酶cDNA的克隆

木聚糖是植物细胞壁的主要组分,它是木糖以β1 ,4 木糖苷键形成主链,乙酰基,阿拉伯糖基等为附链组成的复合多聚糖.木聚糖酶可以降解木聚糖主链,在木聚糖的生物降解中起着非常重要的作用[1 ] .根据木聚糖酶催化域(catalyticdomain ,CD)氨基酸序列的相似性,木聚糖酶可分为两个家     

Cloning and sequencing of the xynA gene encoding xylanase A of Aspergillus kawachii.

We have cloned the xynA gene coding for xylanase A, a major component of the xylanase family, from Aspergillus kawachii. The cDNA was isolated from an A. kawachii cDNA library by immunoscreening using antibody raised against the purified xylanase A protein. Nucleotide sequence analysis of the cDNA showed a 981-bp open reading frame that encoded a protein of 327 amino acid residues. The signal peptide was composed of 25 amino acid residues and the N-terminus of the mature protein was pyroglutamic acid. The transformed yeast with a cloned cDNA produced xylanase. The genomic DNA was arranged as ten exons and nine introns.     

Gene cloning, sequencing, and biochemical characterization of endoxylanase from Thermoanaerobacterium saccharolyticum B6A-RI.

The gene encoding endoxylanase (xynA) from Thermoanaerobacterium saccharolyticum B6A-RI was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. A putative 33-amino-acid signal peptide, which corresponded to the N-terminal amino acids, was encoded by xynA. An open reading frame of 3,471 bp, corresponding to 1,157 amino acid residues, was found, giving the xynA gene product a molecular mass of 130 kDa. xynA from T. saccharolyticum B6A-RI had strong similarity to genes from family F beta-glycanases. The temperature and pH optimum for the activity of the cloned endoxylanase were 70 degrees C and 5.5, respectively. The cloned endoxylanase A was stable at 75 degrees C for 60 min and displayed a specific activity of 227.4 U/mg of protein on oat spelt xylan. The cloned xylanase was an endo-acting enzyme.     

Sequence analysis of the Clostridium cellulolyticum endoglucanase-A-encoding gene, celCCA

The nucleotide sequence of a Clostridium cellulolyticum endo-beta-1,4- glucanase (EGCCA)-encoding gene (celCCA) and its flanking regions, was determined. An open reading frame (ORF) of 1425 bp was found, encoding a protein of 475 amino acids (aa). This ORF began with an ATG start codon and ended with a TAA ochre stop codon. The N-terminal region of the EGCCA protein resembled a typical signal sequence of a Gram-positive bacterial extracellular protein. A putative signal peptidase cleavage site was determined. EGCCA, without a signal peptide, was found to be composed of more than 35% hydrophobic aa and to have an Mr of 50715. Comparison of the encoded sequence with other known cellulase sequences showed the existence of various kinds of aa sequence homologies. First, a strong homology was found between the C-terminal region of EGCCA, containing a reiterated stretch of 24 aa, and the conserved reiterated region previously found to exist in four Clostridium thermocellum endoglucanases and one xylanase from the same organism. This region was suspected of playing a role in organizing the cellulosome complex. Second, an extensive homology was found between EGCCA and the N-terminal region of the large endoglucanase, EGE, from C. thermocellum, which suggests that they may have a common ancestral gene. Third, a region, which extended for 21 aa residues beginning at aa + 127, was found to be homologous with regions of cellulases belonging to Bacilli, Clostridia and Erwinia chrysanthemi.     

Molecular breeding of transgenic rice expressing a xylanase domain of the<Emphasis Type="Italic"> xynA</Emphasis> gene from<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Clostridium thermocellum</Emphasis>

The gene encoding the catalytic domain of thermostable xylanase from Clostridium thermocellum F1 was expressed in rice plants under the control of a constitutive promoter. The gene encoding Xylanase A was modified to encode the catalytic domain of family 11 xylanase without the signal sequence (xynA1), and was introduced into rice plants and expressed under the control of a modified cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter. Zymogram analysis indicated that the recombinant xylanase was produced in rice plants. The xynA1 gene was stably expressed in rice straw and seed grains. No phenotypic effect of xylanase expression was noted. The enzyme was detected in the desiccated grain. High levels of enzyme activity were maintained in the cell-free extract during incubation at 60 degrees C for 24 h. The results indicated that high levels of xylanase can be produced in rice plants.     

Purification, characterization, and molecular cloning of acidophilic xylanase from penicillium sp.40

Penicillum sp. 40, which can grow in an extremely acidic medium at pH 2.0 was screened from an acidic soil. This fungus produces xylanases when grown in a medium containing xylan as a sole carbon source. A major xylanase was purified from the culture supernatant of Penicillium sp. 40 and designated XynA. The molecular mass of XynA was estimated to be 25,000 by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. XynA has an optimum pH at 2.0 and is stable in pH 2.0-5.0. Western blot analysis using anit-XynA antibody showed that XynA was induced by xylan and repressed by glucose. Also, its production was increased by an acidic medium. The gene encoding XynA (xynA) was isolated from the genomic library of Penicillium sp. 40. The structural part of xynA was found to be 721 bp. The nucleotide sequence of cDNA amplified by RT-PCR showed that the open reading frame of xynA was interrupted by a single intron which was 58 bp in size and encoded 221 amino acids. Direct N-terminal amino acid sequencing showed that the precursor of XynA had a signal peptide composed of 31 amino acids. The molecular mass caliculated from the deduced amino acid sequence of XynA is 20,713. This is lower than that estimated by gel electrophoresis, suggesting that XynA is a glycoprotein. The predicted amino acid sequence of XynA has strong similarity to other family xylanases from fungi.     

Cloning and heterologous expression of xylanase from Pichia stipitis in Escherichia coli

AIMS: The main goal of this study was to characterize the xylanase (xynA) gene from Pichia stipitis NRRL Y-11543. METHODS AND RESULTS: The xylanase gene was cloned into pUC19 in Escherichia coli DH5alphaF' and selected by growth on RBB-xylan. All functional clones contained a recombinant plasmid with an insert of 2.4 kbp, as determined by restriction mapping. The nucleotide sequence of the P. stipitis xylanase gene consisted of 1146 bp and encoded a protein of 381 amino acids with a molecular weight of 43 649 Da. The sequence contained a putative 20-amino acid N-terminal signal sequence and four N-linked glycosylation sites. The Km values for non-glycosylated and glycosylated xylanases were 1.4 mg ml-1 and 4.2 mg ml-1, respectively, and Vmax values were 0.8 and 0.082 micromol min-1 mg-1 protein, respectively. CONCLUSION: Xylanase, a rarely found enzyme in yeast species, has been characterized in detail. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The results of this study can be used to develop better xylanase-utilizing yeast strains.     

Expression of Aureobasidium pullulans xynA in, and secretion of the xylanase from, Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

A previous report dealt with the cloning in Escherichia coli and sequencing of both the cDNA and genomic DNA encoding a highly active xylanase (XynA) of Aureobasidium pullulans (X.-L. Li and L. G. Ljungdahl, Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 60:3160-3166, 1994). Now we show that the gene was expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae under the GAL1 promoter in pYES2 and that its product was secreted into the culture medium. S. cerevisiae clone pCE4 with the whole open reading frame of xynA, including the part coding for the signal peptide, had xylanase activity levels of 6.7 U ml-1 in the cell-associated fraction and 26.2 U ml-1 in the culture medium 4 h after galactose induction. Two protein bands with sizes of 25 and 27 kDa and N-terminal amino acid sequences identical to that of APX-II accounted for 82% of the total proteins in the culture medium of pCE4. These proteins were recognized by anti-APX-II antibody. The results suggest that the XynA signal peptide supported the posttranslational processing of xynA product and the efficient secretion of the active xylanase from S. cerevisiae. Clones pCE3 and pGE3 with inserts of cDNA and genomic DNA, respectively, containing only the mature enzyme region attached by a Met codon had low levels of xylanase activity in the cell-associated fractions (1.6 U ml-1) but no activity in the culture media. No xylanase activity was detected in clone pGE4, which was the same as pCE4, except that pGE4 had a 59-bp intron in the signal peptide region. A comparison of the A. pullulans and S. cerevisiae signal peptides demonstrated that the XynA signal peptide was at least three times more efficient than those of S. cerevisiae invertase or mating alpha-factor pheromone in secreting the heterologous xylanase from S. cerevisiae cells.     

Effects of dietary cellulase and xylanase addition on digestion,rumen fermentation and methane emission in growing goats

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of supplementation of cellulase and xylanase to diets of growing goats to improve nutrient digestibility, utilisation of energy and mitigation of enteric methane emissions. The experiment was conducted in a 5 × 5 Latin square design using five goats with permanent rumen fistulae and five treatments consisted of two levels of cellulase crossed over with two levels of xylanase plus unsupplemented Control. The cellulase (243 U/g) derived from Neocallimastix patriciarum was added at 0.8 and 1.6 g/kg dry matter intake (DMI) and the xylanase (31,457 U/ml) derived from Aspergillus oryzae was fed at 1.4 and 2.2 ml/kg DMI. There were no differences in apparent digestibility of organic matter, neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre and rumen fermentation parameters (i.e. ammonia-nitrogen [N], volatile fatty acids) among all treatments. Dietary cellulase and xylanase addition did not influence energy and N utilisation. But compared to xylanase addition at the higher dose, at the low xylanase dose the retained N, the availability of retained N and digested N were increased (p < 0.01). Moreover, enzyme addition did not affect the enteric methane emission and community diversity of ruminal methanogens. The present results indicated that previous in vitro findings were not confirmed in ruminant trials.     

Characterization of an acetyl xylan esterase from the anaerobic fungus Orpinomyces sp. strain PC-2.

A 1,067-bp cDNA, designated axeA, coding for an acetyl xylan esterase (AxeA) was cloned from the anaerobic rumen fungus Orpinomyces sp. strain PC-2. The gene had an open reading frame of 939 bp encoding a polypeptide of 313 amino acid residues with a calculated mass of 34,845 Da. An active esterase using the original start codon of the cDNA was synthesized in Escherichia coli. Two active forms of the esterase were purified from recombinant E. coli cultures. The size difference of 8 amino acids was a result of cleavages at two different sites within the signal peptide. The enzyme released acetate from several acetylated substrates, including acetylated xylan. The activity toward acetylated xylan was tripled in the presence of recombinant xylanase A from the same fungus. Using p-nitrophenyl acetate as a substrate, the enzyme had a K(m) of 0.9 mM and a V(max) of 785 micromol min(-1) mg(-1). It had temperature and pH optima of 30 degrees C and 9.0, respectively. AxeA had 56% amino acid identity with BnaA, an acetyl xylan esterase of Neocallimastix patriciarum, but the Orpinomyces AxeA was devoid of a noncatalytic repeated peptide domain (NCRPD) found at the carboxy terminus of the Neocallimastix BnaA. The NCRPD found in many glycosyl hydrolases and esterases of anaerobic fungi has been postulated to function as a docking domain for cellulase-hemicellulase complexes, similar to the dockerin of the cellulosome of Clostridium thermocellum. The difference in domain structures indicated that the two highly similar esterases of Orpinomyces and Neocallimastix may be differently located, the former being a free enzyme and the latter being a component of a cellulase-hemicellulase complex. Sequence data indicate that AxeA and BnaA might represent a new family of hydrolases.     

High-level expression of the xylanase from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Thermomyces lanuginosus</Emphasis> in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Escherichia coli</Emphasis>

According to the amino acid sequence, a codon-optimized xylanase gene (xynA1) from Thermomyces lanuginosus DSM 5826 was synthesized to construct the expression vector pHsh-xynA1. After optimization of the mRNA secondary structure in the translational initiation region of pHsh-xynA1, free energy of the 70 nt was changed from −6.56 to −4.96 cal/mol, and the spacing between AUG and the Shine-Dalgarno sequence was decreased from 15 to 8 nt. The expression level was increased from 1.3 to 13% of total cell protein. A maximum xylanase activity of 47.1 U/mL was obtained from cellular extract. The recombinant enzyme was purified 21.5-fold from the cellular extract of Escherichia coli by heat treatment, DEAE-Sepharose FF column and t-Butyl-HIC column. The optimal temperature and pH were 65 °C and pH 6.0, respectively. The purified enzyme was stable for 30 min over the pH range of 5.0–8.0 at 60 °C, and had a half-life of 3 h at 65 °C.