Trypsins from yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacores) spleen: purification and characterization

Two anionic trypsins (A and B) were purified to homogeneity from yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacores) spleen by a series of column chromatographies including Sephacryl S-200, Sephadex G-50 and DEAE-cellulose. Purity was increased to 70.6- and 91.5-fold with approximately 2.8% and 15.6% yield for trypsin A and B, respectively. The apparent molecular weight of both trypsins was estimated to be 24 kDa by size exclusion chromatography and SDS-PAGE. Both trypsin A and B appeared as a single band on native-PAGE. Trypsin A and B exhibited the maximal activity at 55 and 65 degrees C, respectively, and had the same optimal pH at 8.5 using TAME as a substrate. Both trypsins were stable to heat treatment up to 50 degrees C and in the pH range of 6.0 to 11.0. Both trypsin A and B were stabilized by calcium ion. The activities were inhibited effectively by soybean trypsin inhibitor, TLCK and partially inhibited by EDTA, but were not inhibited by E-64, N-ethylmaleimide, iodoacetic acid, TPCK and pepstatin A. Activity of both trypsins continuously decreased with increasing NaCl concentration (0-30%). Apparent Km and Kcat of trypsin A and B for TAME were 0.2-0.33 mM and 66.7-80 S(-1), respectively. The N-terminal amino acid sequences of trypsin A, IVGGYECQAHSQPHQVSLNA, and trypsin B, IVGGYECQAHSQPPQVSLNA, indicated the high homology between both enzymes.     

Purification and characterization of trypsin from the poikilotherm Gadus morhua

A serine protease shown to be trypsin was purified from the pyloric caeca of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua), and resolved into three differently charged species by chromatofocusing (pI 6.6, 6.2 and 5.5). All three trypsins had similar molecular mass of 24.2 kDa. N-terminal amino acid sequence analysis of cod trypsin showed considerable similarity with other known trypsins, particularly with dogfish and some mammalian trypsins. The apparent Km values determined at 25 degrees C for the predominant form of Atlantic cod trypsin towards p-tosyl-L-arginine methyl ester and N-benzoyl-L-arginine p-nitroanilide were 29 microM and 77 microM respectively, which are notably lower values than those determined for bovine trypsin (46 microM and 650 microM respectively). The difference was particularly striking when the amidase activity of the enzymes was compared. Furthermore, the kcat values determined for the Atlantic cold trypsins were consistently higher than the values determined for bovine trypsin. The higher catalytic efficiency (kcat/Km) of Atlantic cod trypsin as compared to bovine trypsin may reflect an evolutionary adaptation of the poikilothermic species to low environmental temperatures.     

The midgut trypsins of shrimp (Penaeus monodon). High efficiency toward native protein substrates including collagens

Two shrimp trypsins have been purified from the midguts of Penaeid shrimps by various chromatographies and HPLC. The molecular masses of them are 27 and 29 kDa, respectively. They show the typical specificity of trypsin for substrates and inhibitors, and their N-terminal amino-acid sequences are homologous to those of other trypsins. The shrimp enzymes are very acidic (pI less than or equal to 2.4), and show distinctively low Km for the synthetic amide substrates. They also hydrolyse various native proteins more efficiently than bovine trypsin in vitro. However, the anionic shrimp trypsins do not have special preference for basic protein substrates over the acidic one. Collagenolytic activity of the midgut extract was mainly due to serine proteases. The collagenolytic activity of the purified shrimp trypsin was confirmed by assays with either soluble or insoluble native type I collagens. In comparison with the other trypsins from the Crustacean decapods, the shrimp enzymes have four pairs of disulfide bonds, intermediary between the crayfish trypsin (three pairs) and the crab trypsin (five pairs), and are immunochemically different from them.     

A functional comparison of ovine and porcine trypsins

Trypsin was isolated from ovine and porcine pancreas using affinity chromatography on immobilized p-aminobenzamidine. Molecular masses of the two proteins were 23900 and 23435 Da, determined by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry. The purified trypsins were compared using the kinetic properties K(m) and k(cat) which were determined at pH 8.0 and between 25 and 55 degrees C. Comparison of the Michaelis constants for ovine and porcine trypsins toward N-alpha-benzoyl-arginine-p-nitroanilide (BapNA) indicated that ovine trypsin had higher affinity for this substrate than the porcine enzyme. The rates of the reactions catalysed by the two enzymes correlated strongly over the range of temperatures and substrate concentrations tested, as did the k(cat) values. The specific activity of ovine trypsin for BapNA was, on average, approximately 10% higher than that of the porcine enzyme over the range of conditions tested. Porcine trypsin was less susceptible to denaturation at low pH or high temperature than was ovine trypsin. Porcine and ovine trypsin produced seven identically sized fragments from auto-catalytic hydrolysis. Proposed regions of identity between ovine and porcine trypsins were I(54)-K(77), L(98)-R(107), S(134)-K(178) and N(209)-K(116). Hydrolysis of beta-lactoglobulin, egg white lysozyme or casein by ovine or porcine trypsin yielded virtually identical patterns of fragments although the rate at which fragments were produced, in the case of beta-lactoglobulin, differed between the two enzymes. On balance the two enzymes appear to be functionally identical in their action.     

Isolation and characterization of trypsin from pyloric caeca of Monterey sardine Sardinops sagax caerulea

Trypsin from pyloric caeca of Monterey sardine was purified by fractionation with ammonium sulfate, gel filtration, affinity and ionic exchange chromatography. Fraction 102, obtained from ionic exchange chromatography, generated one band in sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and isoelectric focusing. The molecular mass of the isolated trypsin was 25 kDa and showed esterase-specific activity on Nalpha-p-tosyl-L-arginine methyl ester (TAME) that was 4.5 times greater than amidase-specific activity on N-benzoyl-L-arginine-p-nitroanilide. The purified enzyme was partially inhibited by the serine-protease phenyl-methyl-sulfonyl fluoride (PMSF) inhibitor and fully inhibited by the soybean trypsin inhibitor (SBTI) and benzamidine, but was not inhibited by the metallo-protease inactivator EDTA or the chymotrypsin inhibitor tosyl-L-phenylalanine chloromethyl-ketone. The optimum pH for activity was 8.0 and maximum stability was observed between pH 7 and 8. A marked loss in stability was observed below pH 4 and above pH 11. Activity was optimum at 50 degrees C and lost activity at higher temperatures. The kinetic trypsin constants K(m) and k(cat) were 0.051 mM and 2.12 s(-1), respectively, while the catalytic efficiency (k(cat)/K(m)) was 41 s(-1) mM(-1). General characteristics of the Monterey sardine trypsin resemble those of trypsins from other fish, especially trypsins from the anchovy Engraulis japonica and Engraulis encrasicholus and the sardine Sardinops melanostica.     

Trypsin from the pyloric caeca of bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix)

Trypsin was purified from the pyloric caeca of bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) by ammonium sulfate precipitation, acetone precipitation and soybean trypsin inhibitor-Sepharose 4B affinity chromatography. Bluefish trypsin migrated as a single band using both sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and native-PAGE and had a molecular mass of 28 kDa. The optima pH and temperature for the hydrolysis of benzoyl-dl-arginine-p-nitroanilide (BAPNA) were 9.5 and 55 °C, respectively. The enzyme was stable over a broad pH range (7 to 12), but was unstable at acidic pH, and at temperatures greater than 40 °C. The enzyme was inhibited by specific trypsin inhibitors: soybean trypsin inhibitor (SBTI), N-p-tosyl-l-lysine chloromethyl ketone (TLCK) and the serine protease inhibitor phenylmethyl sulfonylfluoride (PMSF). CaCl₂ partially protected trypsin against activity loss at 40 °C, but NaCl (0 to 30%) decreased the activity in a concentration dependent manner. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of trypsin was determined as IVGGYECKPKSAPVQVSLNL and was highly homologous to other known vertebrate trypsins.     

Purification and characterization of trypsin produced by gut bacteria from Anticarsia gemmatalis

Purification of active trypsin in the digestive process of insects is essential for the development of potent protease inhibitors (PIs) as an emerging pest control technology and research into insect adaptations to dietary PIs. An important aspect is the presence of proteolytic microorganisms, which contribute to host nutrition. Here, we purified trypsins produced by bacteria Bacillus cereus, Enterococcus mundtii, Enterococcus gallinarum, and Staphylococcus xylosus isolated from the midgut of Anticarsia gemmatalis. The trypsins had a molecular mass of approximately 25 kDa. The enzymes showed increased activity at 40°C, and they were active at pH values 7.5–10. Aprotinin, bis‐benzamidine, and soybean Kunitz inhibitor (SKTI) significantly inhibited trypsin activity. The l ‐1‐tosyl‐amido‐2‐phenylethylchloromethyl ketone (TPCK), pepstatin A, E‐64, ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid, and calcium ions did not affect the enzyme activity at the concentrations tested. We infer the purified trypsins do not require calcium ions, by which they differ from the trypsins of other microorganisms and the soluble and insoluble trypsins characterized from A. gemmatalis. These data suggest the existence of different isoforms of trypsin in the velvetbean caterpillar midguts.     

A TRYPSIN‐LIKE PROTEINASE IN THE MIDGUT OF Ectomyelois ceratoniae ZELLER (LEPIDOPTERA: PYRALIDAE): PURIFICATION,CHARACTERIZATION, AND HOST PLANT INHIBITORS

A trypsin‐like proteinase was purified and characterized in the midgut of Ectomyelois ceratoniae. A purification process that used Sepharyl G‐100 and DEAE‐cellulose fast flow chromatographies revealed a proteinase with specific activity of 66.7 μmol/min/mg protein, recovery of 27.04 and purification fold of 23.35. Molecular weight of the purified protein was found to be 35.8 kDa. Optimal pH and temperature were obtained 9 and 20°C for the purified trypsin proteinase, respectively. The purified enzyme was significantly inhibited by PMSF, TLCK, and SBTI as specific inhibitors of trypsins in which TLCK showed the highest inhibitory effect. Trypsin proteinase inhibitors were extracted from four varieties of pomegranate including Brait, Torsh‐Sabz, May‐Khosh, and Shirin by ion exchange chromatography. It was found that fractions 17–20 of Brait; fractions 18 and 21–26 of Torsh‐Sabz; fractions 1–7, 11–17, and 19–21 of May‐Khosh and fraction 8 for Shirin showed presence of trypsin inhibitor in these host. Comparison of their inhibitory effects on the purified trypsin proteinase of E. ceratoniae demonstrated that fractions from May‐khosh variety had the highest effect on the enzyme among other extracted fractions. Characterization of serine proteinases of insects mainly trypsins is one of the promising methods to decrease population and damages via extracting their inhibitors and providing resistant varieties.     

Purification and characterization of heat-stable alkaline proteinase from bigeye snapper (Priacanthus macracanthus) muscle

Heat-stable alkaline proteinase was purified from bigeye snapper (Priacanthus macracanthus) ordinary muscle by heat-treatment and a series of chromatographies including Phenyl-Sepharose 6 Fast Flow, Source 15Q and Superose 12 HR 10/30. It was purified to 5180-fold with a yield of 0.8%. The molecular weight of purified proteinase was estimated to be 72 kDa by gel filtration. The proteinase appeared as two proteinase activity bands with molecular weights of 66 and 13.7 kDa on non-reducing SDS-substrate gel. Accordingly, it was found to consist of two different subunits. The optimum pH and temperature for casein hydrolysis were 8.5 and 60 °C, respectively. The proteolytic activity was strongly inhibited by soybean trypsin inhibitor and partially inhibited by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, while pepstatin A and E-64 showed no inhibition. Purified proteinase was able to hydrolyze Boc-Phe-Ser-Arg-MCA, but rarely hydrolyzed Z-Phe-Arg-MCA and Z-Arg-Arg-MCA. In addition, it mainly degraded myosin heavy chain, not actin. These results suggest that purified proteinase was serine proteinase, which is probably involved in gel weakening of bigeye snapper surimi.     

Purification and characterization of two trypsin-like enzymes from the digestive tract of anchovy Engraulis encrasicholus

1. Two trypsin-like enzymes, designated Trypsin A and B, were purified from the pyloric caeca and intestine of anchovy by (NH4)2SO4 fractionation, affinity chromatography (Benzamidine-Sepharose-6B) and ion exchange chromatography (DEAE-Sepharose). 2. Both trypsins catalyzed the hydrolysis of N-benzoyl-DL-arginine p-nitroanilide (BAPNA), p-tosyl-L-arginine methyl ester (TAME), casein and myofibrillar protein and they were inhibited by several well established trypsin-inhibitors. 3. The enzymes had mol. wts of 27,000 (Trypsin A) and 28,000 (Trypsin B). Their isoelectric points were about 4.9 (Trypsin A) and 4.6 (Trypsin B) and they had similar amino acid composition. 4. The enzymes had a pH optimum of 8-9 for the hydrolysis of BAPNA and of 9.5 for the digestion of casein and myofibrillar protein. Their activity and stability were affected by calcium ions. 5. Trypsins A and B resemble other fish trypsins in their mol. wt, pI, kinetic properties and the instability at low pH and they are similar to bovine trypsin in their dependence of Ca2+ for activity and stability.     

Penaeus vannamei isotrypsins: purification and characterization

Three isotrypsins from digestive gland of Penaeus vannamei were purified and characterized by molecular, biochemical and kinetic parameters. Purified isotrypsins A, B, and C are glycoproteins with molecular masses between 30.2 and 32.9 kDa, and, therefore similar to other trypsins. The isoelectric points are anionic and different among the three isotrypsins: pH 3.5 for isotrypsin A, pH 3.0 for isotrypsin B, and pH 4.5 for isotrypsin C. Differences in the NH(2)-terminal amino acid sequences allowed us to define three different protein entities that match isotrypsins previously deduced by cDNA. Isoform C has higher physiological efficiency and specific activity, lower K(m), and requires higher concentrations of Ca(+2) to reach the same activity as the other two isotrypsins.     

Purification and characterization of trypsins from the digestive tract of Locusta migratoria

Two trypsin-like enzymes were isolated from the digestive tract of the African migratory locust Locusta migratoria migratorioides. Primary purification was carried out on a DEAE-cellulose column, from which the two trypsins emerged in the anionic fraction. Further purification was achieved by affinity chromatography on a p-aminobenzamidine (PABA)-Sepharose column, which also separated the two trypsins (TLEAff.1. and TLEAff.2.), or by HPLC on an anion exchange column. The purity and homogeneity of the trypsins were demonstrated by electrophoresis of cellulose acetate strips and in polyacrylamide gels, with and without SDS. The molecular weights of TLEAff.1 and TLEAff.2, as determined by SDS-PAGE, were 17,000 and 24,000 respectively. The amino acid compositions of the locust trypsins were similar to those of trypsins from the digestive systems of other insects, which are characterized by the lack or low content of half cystines. The isoelectric points were 3.2 for TLEAff.1 and 3.5 fold for TLEAff.2. Since most of the locust trypsin comprised TLEAff.2, the latter served as the main object of this study. TLEAff.2 was unstable at low pH, differing in this respect from mammalian trypsins. The optimum activity was at pH 8.5-9.0. The Km and kcat, values were similar to those for bovine trypsin. Activation by substrate, a phenomenon in bovine trypsin, was also observed for TLEAff.2. The locust trypsin was full inhibited by the proteinaceous trypsin inhibitors Bowman-Birk (BBI) and Kunitz from soybeans, CI from chickpeas, chicken ovomucoid (COM), and turkey ovomucoid (TOM). It was inactivated by phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSF) and tosyl-L-lysine chloromethyl ketone (TLCK), indicating the involvement of serine and histidine in the active site.     

Natural plant enzyme inhibitors: isolation and properties of a trypsin inhibitor from jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis)

A protease inhibitor which is equally active on bovine and porcine trypsins was isolated in a homogenous form from jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis). The preparation with a molecular weight of 18 kDa was found to be a glycoprotein with a high half cysteine content. Isoleucine and tyrosine were found to be absent. The inhibitor was heat-stable and stable at pH 2.0 and 11.0. It was ten times less active on bovine alpha-chymotrypsin and pronase than on trypsin. It displayed weak action on subtilisin BPN, porcine elastase and pepsin. The inhibitor was most effective in blocking the total proteolytic, tryptic and chymotryptic activities of rabbit pancreatic preparation. The relative ratios of inhibitions of the three activities on rabbit, bovine and human systems were respectively 1250:100:1, 600:100:1 and 46:18:1. While different substrates (except denatured serum albumin) did not significantly alter the magnitude of inhibition of bovine trypsin, the extent of inhibition of bovine alpha-chymotrypsin by the jack bean inhibitor was highly dependent on the substrate used in the assay.     

Production, purification and characterization of Clostridium difficile toxic proteins different from toxin A and from toxin B

The purification and characterization of three new proteins called C1, C2, and C3 from Clostridium difficile are described. Their estimated molecular mass were about 350 (C1), 270 (C2) and 140 (C3) kDa, consisting of subunits of 39 (C1), 43 (C2) and 41 (C3) kDa, respectively. Immunodiffusion revealed that the three proteins contained similar but not identical antigenic determinants to toxin A. Each protein induced a cytotonic effect on hamster ovaric cells; the combined proteins, had a specific activity on cells 5-times higher than that of toxin A. In rat intestinal loops, they induced a clear fluid secretion, while toxin A elicited a haemorrhagic fluid response. The cytotonic activities of all three proteins were abolished by antiserum against toxin A, while antiserum against toxin B inhibited only the activity of the 270 kDa protein. In contrast to toxin A, the cytotoxicity of the three proteins was inactivated by trypsin. Thus, the chemical, antigenic and biological properties of these proteins differed from those of toxin A and toxin B.     

Anionic Trypsin from North Pacific Krill (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Euphausia pacifica</Emphasis>): Purification and Characterization

An anionic trypsin (TRY-EP) was purified from North Pacific krill (Euphausia pacifica) by ammonium sulfate precipitation, ion-exchange and gel-filtration chromatography. The purified enzyme was identified as a trypsin by LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis. The relative molecular mass of TRY-EP was 33 kDa, with isoelectric point of 4.5. The histidine, tryptophan, arginine, lysine, aspartic acid and glutamic acid residues were functional groups to TRY-EP. TRY-EP was activated by Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ and inhibited by some heavy metal ions (Zn²⁺, Cu²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Hg²⁺), organic solvents (ethanol, glycerin, DMSO and acetone) and specific trypsin inhibitors (benzamidine, CEOM, SBTI and TLCK). TRY-EP was active over a wide pH (6.0–11.0) and temperature (10–70°C) range, with optimum of pH 9.0 and 40–50°C. TRY-EP was stable between pH 6.0 and 11.0 and below 30°C. Compared with some trypsins from the Temperate and Tropical Zone organisms, TRY-EP and other trypsins from the Frigid Zone organisms have higher affinity to substrate and 2–42-fold physiological efficiency.     

Characterisation of multiple trypsins from the midgut of Locusta migratoria

Three isoforms of trypsin were identified in midgut preparations from Locusta migratoria. Ammonium-sulphate-fractionated luminal contents of midguts were subjected to benzamidine affinity chromatography; proteins eluted by benzamidine were then separated by anion-exchange chromatography. Cationic (TRY 1) and anionic (TRY 2) trypsin activities were eluted from the DEAE column. TRY 1 was homogeneous, producing a single band of Mr 23,000 on SDS-PAGE. TRY 2 comprised two trypsins, TRY 2A (Mr 27,000) and TRY 2B (Mr 29,000). Following a subsequent chromatography step using a Bio-Rad UNO Q column, TRY 2A and TRY 2B were resolved to homogeneity. When homogenates of midgut caecae were the starting material for chromatography, SDS-PAGE of benzamidine-eluted proteins revealed an additional putative trypsin of Mr 17,000 (termed SERP 17) which had been absent from luminal enzyme preparations. Determination of the N-terminal 11 amino acid residues of each protein revealed unique, but similar sequences. The four sequences all began with IVGG, a motif which signifies all four proteins are serine proteases. TRY 1, TRY 2A and TRY 2B were shown to contain only trypsin activity and the preparations were sensitive to inhibition by AEBSF, PMSF, TLCK, benzamidine, leupeptin, SBTI, BPTI and E64.     

Identification of a myofibril-bound serine proteinase (MBSP) in the skeletal muscle of lizard fish Saurida wanieso which specifically cleaves the arginine site

A myofibril-bound serine proteinase (MBSP) from the skeletal muscle of lizard fish (Saurida wanieso) was purified to homogeneity by a heating treatment followed by a series of column chromatographies on DEAE-Sephacel, Sephacryl S-200, Q-Sepharose, Hydroxyapatite and Benzamidine-Sepharose 6B, and characterized enzymatically. On SDS-poly-acrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), the purified enzyme showed a band with molecular mass of approximately 29 kDa under reducing conditions, while 60 kDa under non-reducing conditions. The optimum temperature of the enzyme was 50 degrees C using t-butyloxycarbonyl-Phe-Ser-Arg-4-methylcoumaryl-7-amide (Boc-Phe-Ser-Arg-MCA) as a substrate. Substrate specificity analysis both using MCA-substrates and peptides showed that MBSP specifically cleaved at the carboxyl side of the arginine residue. Inhibitor susceptibility analysis revealed that MBSP was inhibited effectively by Pefabloc SC, soybean trypsin inhibitor (STI) and aprotinin, indicating the characteristic of a serine proteinase. When myofibril was incubated with the enzyme, it optically degraded myosin heavy chain at 55-60 degrees C, while alpha-actinin and actin were not at all hydrolyzed as detected by immunoblotting. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of MBSP was partially determined as IVGGAEXVPY- and was very homologous to other serine proteases.     

Evolution of Primary Hemostasis in Early Vertebrates

Hemostasis is a defense mechanism which protects the organism in the event of injury to stop bleeding. Recently, we established that all the known major mammalian hemostatic factors are conserved in early vertebrates. However, since their highly vascularized gills experience high blood pressure and are exposed to the environment, even very small injuries could be fatal to fish. Since trypsins are forerunners for coagulation proteases and are expressed by many extrapancreatic cells such as endothelial cells and epithelial cells, we hypothesized that trypsin or trypsin-like proteases from gill epithelial cells may protect these animals from gill bleeding following injuries. In this paper we identified the release of three different trypsins from fish gills into water under stress or injury, which have tenfold greater serine protease activity compared to bovine trypsin. We found that these trypsins activate the thrombocytes and protect the fish from gill bleeding. We found 27 protease-activated receptors (PARs) by analyzing zebrafish genome and classified them into five groups, based on tethering peptides, and two families, PAR1 and PAR2, based on homologies. We also found a canonical member of PAR2 family, PAR2-21A which is activated more readily by trypsin, and PAR2-21A tethering peptide stops gill bleeding just as trypsin. This finding provides evidence that trypsin cleaves a PAR2 member on thrombocyte surface. In conclusion, we believe that the gills are evolutionarily selected to produce trypsin to activate PAR2 on thrombocyte surface and protect the gills from bleeding. We also speculate that trypsin may also protect the fish from bleeding from other body injuries due to quick contact with the thrombocytes. Thus, this finding provides evidence for the role of trypsins in primary hemostasis in early vertebrates.     

Biochemical and mutational analyses of a multidomain cellulase/mannanase from Caldicellulosiruptor bescii

Thermophilic cellulases and hemicellulases are of significant interest to the biofuel industry due to their perceived advantages over their mesophilic counterparts. We describe here biochemical and mutational analyses of Caldicellulosiruptor bescii Cel9B/Man5A (CbCel9B/Man5A), a highly thermophilic enzyme. As one of the highly secreted proteins of C. bescii, the enzyme is likely to be critical to nutrient acquisition by the bacterium. CbCel9B/Man5A is a modular protein composed of three carbohydrate-binding modules flanked at the N terminus and the C terminus by a glycoside hydrolase family 9 (GH9) module and a GH5 module, respectively. Based on truncational analysis of the polypeptide, the cellulase and mannanase activities within CbCel9B/Man5A were assigned to the N- and C-terminal modules, respectively. CbCel9B/Man5A and its truncational mutants, in general, exhibited a pH optimum of ～5.5 and a temperature optimum of 85°C. However, at this temperature, thermostability was very low. After 24 h of incubation at 75°C, the wild-type protein maintained 43% activity, whereas a truncated mutant, TM1, maintained 75% activity. The catalytic efficiency with phosphoric acid swollen cellulose as a substrate for the wild-type protein was 7.2 s(-1) ml/mg, and deleting the GH5 module led to a mutant (TM1) with a 2-fold increase in this kinetic parameter. Deletion of the GH9 module also increased the apparent k(cat) of the truncated mutant TM5 on several mannan-based substrates; however, a concomitant increase in the K(m) led to a decrease in the catalytic efficiencies on all substrates. These observations lead us to postulate that the two catalytic activities are coupled in the polypeptide.