Molecular characterization of inulosucrase from Leuconostoc citreum: a fructosyltransferase within a glucosyltransferase

The gene coding for inulosucrase in Leuconostoc citreum CW28, islA, was cloned, sequenced, and expressed in Escherichia coli. The recombinant enzyme catalyzed inulin synthesis from sucrose like the wild-type enzyme. Inulosucrase presents an unusual structure: its N-terminal region is similar to the variable region of glucosyltransferases, its catalytic domain is similar to fructosyltransferases from various microorganisms, and its C-terminal domain presents similarity to the glucan binding domain from alternansucrase, a glucosyltransferase from Leuconostoc mesenteroides NRRL B-1355. From sequence comparison, it was found that this fructosyltransferase is a natural chimeric enzyme resulting from the substitution of the catalytic domain of alternansucrase by a fructosyltransferase. Two different forms of the islA gene truncated in the C-terminal glucan binding domain were successfully expressed in E. coli and retained their ability to synthesize inulin but lost thermal stability. This is the first report of an inulosucrase bearing structural features of both glucosyltransferases and fructosyltransferases.     

Regulation of glucosyl- and fructosyltransferase synthesis by continuous cultures of Streptococcus mutans

Streptococcus mutans strains Ingbritt, and its derivative B7 which had been passaged through monkeys, have been used to investigate how the synthesis of extracellular glucosyl- and fructosyltransferases is regulated. The most active enzyme from carbon-limited continuous cultures was a fructosyltransferase; enzymes catalysing the formation of water-insoluble glucans from sucrose were relatively inactive. Dextransucrase (EC 2.4.1.5), which catalyses soluble glucan synthesis, was most active in the supernatant fluid from cultures grown with excess glucose, fructose or sucrose, but full activity was detected only when the enzyme was incubated with both sucrose and dextran. Little dextransucrase activity was detected in carbon-limited cultures. It is concluded that glucosyl- and fructosyltransferases are constitutive enzymes in that they are synthesized at similar rates during growth with an excess of the substrate or of the products of the reactions which they catalyse. Although the Ingbritt strain was originally isolated from a carious lesion, it is now a poor source of glucosyltransferase activity. Glucosyltransferases were extremely active in cultures of a recent clinical isolate, strain 3209, and were apparently induced during growth with excess glucose.     

Effect of dextran and ammonium sulphate on the reaction catalysed by a glucosyltransferase complex from Streptococcus mutans

The highly aggregated proteins precipitated by (NH4)2SO4 from the culture fluid of three strains of Streptococcus mutans gradually released less aggregated glucosyltransferase activities - dextransucrase and mutansucrase - which catalysed the synthesis of water-soluble and insoluble glucans from sucrose. Mutansucrase was eluted from a column of Sepharose 6B before dextransucrase. This activity was lost during subsequent dialysis and gel filtration, but there was a corresponding increase in dextransucrase activity which catalysed the formation of soluble glucan when incubated with sucrose alone, and insoluble glucan when incubated with sucrose and 1.55 M-(NH4)2SO4. Relative rates of synthesis of soluble and insoluble glucan in the presence of 1.55 M-(MH4)2SO4 were dependent upon the enzyme concentration: high concentrations favoured insoluble glucan synthesis. Insoluble glucans synthesized by mutansucrase or by dextransucrase in the presence of 1.55 M-(NH4)2SO4 were more sensitive to hydrolysis by mutanase than by dextranse, but soluble glucans were more extensively hydrolysed by dextranase than by mutanase. Partially purified dextransucrase sedimented through glycerol density gradients as a single symmetrical peak with an apparent molecular weight in the range 100000 to 110000. In the presence of 1.55 M-(NH4)2SO4, part of the activity sedimented rapidly as a high molecular weight aggregate. The results strongly suggest that soluble and insoluble glucans are synthesized by interconvertible forms of the same glucosyltransferase. The aggregated form, mutansucrase, preferentially catalyses (1 leads to 3)-alpha bond formation but dissociates during gel filtration to the dextransucrase form which catalyses (1 leads to 6)-alpha bond formation.     

Interaction of glucosyltransferase from Streptococcus mutans with various glucans

Cell-free glucosyltransferase of Streptococcus mutans strain B13 (serotype d) exclusively synthesized water-insoluble glucan from sucrose. The insoluble glucan possessed strong glucan-associated glucosyltransferase activity even after extensive washing and lyophilization. Furthermore, cell-free glucosyltransferase became bound to heat-treated water-insoluble glucan or to heat-treated S. mutans B13 cells grown in Todd Hewitt broth, and the resulting glucan and cells adhered to a glass surface in the presence of exogenous sucrose. No other water-insoluble glucans bound significant quantities of glucosyltransferase. Glucan synthesis by free or glucan-bound glucosyltransferase was stimulated by low concentrations (1 to 5 mg ml-1) of isomaltose or water-soluble dextrans of various molecular weights, but higher concentrations (10 mg ml-1) inhibited glucan synthesis. The glucan synthesized in the presence of primer dextrans exhibited a reduced ability to adhere to a glass surface. Certain sugars such as maltose and fructose significantly lowered the yield of insoluble glucans. Preincubation of glucosyltransferase with the low molecular weight dextran T10 increased subsequent binding to S. mutans B13 insoluble glucan, whereas preincubation with higher molecular weight dextrans significantly inhibited the glucosyltransferase binding.     

Glucan synthase complex of Aspergillus fumigatus

The glucan synthase complex of the human pathogenic mold Aspergillus fumigatus has been investigated. The genes encoding the putative catalytic subunit Fks1p and four Rho proteins of A. fumigatus were cloned and sequenced. Sequence analysis showed that AfFks1p was a transmembrane protein very similar to other Fksp proteins in yeasts and in Aspergillus nidulans. Heterologous expression of the conserved internal hydrophilic domain of AfFks1p was achieved in Escherichia coli. Anti-Fks1p antibodies labeled the apex of the germ tube, as did aniline blue fluorochrome, which was specific for beta(1-3) glucans, showing that AfFks1p colocalized with the newly synthesized beta(1-3) glucans. AfRHO1, the most homologous gene to RHO1 of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, was studied for the first time in a filamentous fungus. AfRho proteins have GTP binding and hydrolysis consensus sequences identical to those of yeast Rho proteins and have a slightly modified geranylation site in AfRho1p and AfRho3p. Purification of the glucan synthase complex by product entrapment led to the enrichment of four proteins: Fks1p, Rho1p, a 100-kDa protein homologous to a membrane H(+)-ATPase, and a 160-kDa protein which was labeled by an anti-beta(1-3) glucan antibody and was homologous to ABC bacterial beta(1-2) glucan transporters.     

The influence of mutanase and dextranase on the production and structure of glucans synthesized by streptococcal glucosyltransferases

Glucanohydrolases, especially mutanase [alpha-(1-->3) glucanase; EC 3.2.1.59] and dextranase [alpha-(1-->6) glucanase; EC 3.2.1.11], which are present in the biofilm known as dental plaque, may affect the synthesis and structure of glucans formed by glucosyltransferases (GTFs) from sucrose within dental plaque. We examined the production and the structure of glucans synthesized by GTFs B (synthesis of alpha-(1-->3)-linked glucans) or C [synthesis of alpha-(1-->6)- and alpha-(1-->3)-linked glucans] in the presence of mutanase and dextranase, alone or in combination, in solution phase and on saliva-coated hydroxyapatite beads (surface phase). The ability of Streptococcus sobrinus 6715 to adhere to the glucan, which was formed in the presence of the glucanohydrolases was also explored. The presence of mutanase and/or dextranase during the synthesis of glucans by GTF B and C altered the proportions of soluble to insoluble glucan. The presence of either dextranase or mutanase alone had a modest effect on total amount of glucan formed, especially in the surface phase; the glucanohydrolases in combination reduced the total amount of glucan. The amount of (1-->6)-linked glucan was reduced in presence of dextranase. In contrast, mutanase enhanced the formation of soluble glucan, and reduced the percentage of 3-linked glucose of GTF B and C glucans whereas dextranase was mostly without effect. Glucan formed in the presence of dextranase provided fewer binding sites for S. sobrinus; mutanase was devoid of any effect. We also noted that the GTFs bind to dextranase and mutanase. Glucanohydrolases, even in the presence of GTFs, influence glucan synthesis, linkage remodeling, and branching, which may have an impact on the formation, maturation, physical properties, and bacterial binding sites of the polysaccharide matrix in dental plaque. Our data have relevance for the formation of polysaccharide matrix of other biofilms.     

Multiple glucan-binding proteins of Streptococcus sobrinus.

Several proteins from culture supernatants of Streptococcus sobrinus were able to bind avidly to Sephadex G-75. The proteins could be partially eluted from the Sephadex by low-molecular-weight alpha-1,6 glucan or fully eluted by 4 M guanidine hydrochloride. Elution profiles were complex, yielding proteins of 16, 45, 58 to 60, 90, 135, and 145 kDa, showing that the wild-type strain possessed multiple glucan-binding proteins. Two mutants of Streptococcus sobrinus incapable of aggregation by high-molecular-weight alpha-1,6 glucan were isolated. One mutant was spontaneous, from a cell suspension to which glucan had been added, whereas the other was induced by ethyl methanesulfonate. Both mutants were devoid of a 60-kDa protein, as shown by gel electrophoresis of culture supernatants and whole cells. Amino acid analysis showed that the 58- to 60-kDa protein and the 90-kDa protein were distinct, although both were N-terminally blocked. Both mutants retained their ability to adhere to glass in the presence of sucrose and to ferment mannitol and sorbitol. Both mutants retained their glucosytransferase activities, as shown by activity gels. Western blots (immunoblots), employing antibody against a glucan-binding protein of Streptococcus mutans, failed to reveal cross-reactivity with S. sobrinus proteins. The results show that even though S. sobrinus produces several proteins capable of binding alpha-1,6 glucans, the 60-kDa protein is probably the lectin needed for glucan-dependent cellular aggregation.     

Purification and properties of endo-alpha-1,3-glucanase from a Streptomyces chartreusis strain.

An enzyme hydrolyzing the water-insoluble glucans produced from sucrose by Streptococcus mutans was purified from the culture concentrate of Streptomyces chartreusis strain F2 by ion-exchange chromatography on diethylaminoethyl cellulose and carboxymethyl cellulose columns and gel filtration on Bio-Gel A-1.5m. The purification achieved was 6.4-fold, with an overall yield of 27.3%. Electrophoresis of the purified enzyme protein gave a single band on a sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel slab. Its molecular weight was estimated to be approximately 68,000, but there is a possibility that the native enzyme exists in an aggregated form or is an oligomer of the peptide subunits, have a molecular weight larger than 300,000. The pH optimum of the enzyme was 5.5 to 6.0, and its temperature optimum was 55 degrees C. The enzyme lost activity on heating at 65 degrees C for 10 min. The enzyme activity was completely inhibited by the presence of 1 mM Mn2+, Hg2+, Cu2+, Ag2+, or Merthiolate. The Km value for the water-insoluble glucan of S. mutans OMZ176 was an amount of glucan equivalent to 1.54 mM glucose, i.e., 0.89 mM in terms of the alpha-1,3-linked glucose residue. The purified enzyme was specific for glucans containing an alpha-1,3-glucosidic linkage as the major bond. The enzyme hydrolyzed the S. mutans water-insoluble glucans endolytically, and the products were oligosaccharides. These results indicate that the enzyme elaborated by S. chartreusis strain F2 is an endo-alpha-1,3-glucanase (EC 3.2.1.59).     

Conserved repeat motifs and glucan binding by glucansucrases of oral streptococci and Leuconostoc mesenteroides

Glucansucrases of oral streptococci and Leuconostoc mesenteroides have a common pattern of structural organization and characteristically contain a domain with a series of tandem amino acid repeats in which certain residues are highly conserved, particularly aromatic amino acids and glycine. In some glucosyltransferases (GTFs) the repeat region has been identified as a glucan binding domain (GBD). Such GBDs are also found in several glucan binding proteins (GBP) of oral streptococci that do not have glucansucrase activity. Alignment of the amino acid sequences of 20 glucansucrases and GBP showed the widespread conservation of the 33-residue A repeat first identified in GtfI of Streptococcus downei. Site-directed mutagenesis of individual highly conserved residues in recombinant GBD of GtfI demonstrated the importance of the first tryptophan and the tyrosine-phenylalanine pair in the binding of dextran, as well as the essential contribution of a basic residue (arginine or lysine). A microplate binding assay was developed to measure the binding affinity of recombinant GBDs. GBD of GtfI was shown to be capable of binding glucans with predominantly alpha-1,3 or alpha-1,6 links, as well as alternating alpha-1,3 and alpha-1,6 links (alternan). Western blot experiments using biotinylated dextran or alternan as probes demonstrated a difference between the binding of streptococcal GTF and GBP and that of Leuconostoc glucansucrases. Experimental data and bioinformatics analysis showed that the A repeat motif is distinct from the 20-residue CW motif, which also has conserved aromatic amino acids and glycine and which occurs in the choline-binding proteins of Streptococcus pneumoniae and other organisms.     

Deletions in the carboxyl-terminal region of Streptococcus gordonii glucosyltransferase affect cell-associated enzyme activity and sucrose-associated accumulation of growing cells.

The single glucosyltransferase (GTF) of Streptococcus gordonii Challis CH1 makes alpha 1,3- and alpha 1,6-linked glucans from sucrose. The GTF carboxyl-terminal region has six direct repeats thought to be involved in glucan binding. Strains with defined mutations in this region have been described recently (M. M. Vickerman, M. C. Sulavik, P. E. Minick, and D. B. Clewell, Infect. Immun. 64:5117-5128, 1996). Strain CH107 GTF has three internal direct repeats deleted; the 59 carboxyl-terminal amino acids are identical to those of the parental strain. This deletion resulted in decreased enzyme activity but did not affect the amount of cell-associated GTF protein. The GTFs of strains CH2RPE and CH4RPE have six and eight direct repeats, respectively, but are both missing the 14 carboxyl-terminal amino acids. Strain CH2RPE had significantly decreased levels of cell-associated GTF; this decrease was not obviated by the increased number of direct repeats in strain CH4RPE. Thus, the carboxyl-terminal amino acids appeared to influence the amount of cell-associated GTF more than the direct repeats. The qualitative and quantitative differences in the GTFs did not affect the abilities of these strains to accumulate on hydroxyapatite beads in the absence of sucrose. However, when sucrose was added as a substrate for GTF, the mutant strains were unable to accumulate on these surfaces to the same extent as the parent. These differences in sucrose-associated accumulation may be due to changes in the nature of the glucans produced by the different enzymes and/or cohesive interactions between these glucans and the GTF on the surfaces of the growing streptococci.     

Glycosyltransferases of Streptococcus mutans strain Ingbritt.

The glycosyltransferases of S. mutans strain Ingbritt have been resolved by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, followed by incubation in the presence of non-ionic detergent to restore enzyme activity. A group of high molecular weight proteins synthesizing glucans has been identified, as well as three distinct fructan-synthesizing activities. The glucan-forming enzymes have been purified by affinity chromatography on insoluble glucan, followed by gel chromatography in SDS, and antiserum to the purified enzymes has shown that they are antigenically identical within serotypes c, e and f, and cross-react strongly with serotype b.     

Characterization of the extracellular,water-insoluble α-D-glucans of oral streptococci by methylation analysis,and by enzymic synthesis and degradation

Methylation analysis of water-insoluble α-D-glucans synthesized from sucrose by culture filtrates from several strains of Streptococcus spp. has proved that all of the glucans were highly branched and that the chains contained (1→6)- and (1→3)-linked D-glucose residues not involved in branch points. Hydrolysis of the glucans with a specific endo-(1→3)-α-D-glucanase demonstrated that the majority of the (1→3)-linked glucose residues were arranged in sequences. D-Glucose was the major product of the hydrolysis, and a small proportion of nigerose was also released. The use of a specific endo-(1→6)-α-D-glucanase similarly indicated that the glucans also contained sequences of (1→6)-linked α-D-glucose residues, and that those chains were branched. Two D-glucosyltransferases (GTF-S and GTF-I), which reacted with sucrose to synthesize a soluble glucan and a water-insoluble glucan, respectively, were separated from culture filtrates of S. mutans OMZ176. The soluble glucan was characterized as a branched (1→6)-α-D-glucan, whereas the insoluble one was a relatively linear (1→3)-α-D-glucan. The hypothesis is advanced that the glucosyltransferases can transfer glucan sequences by means of acceptor reactions similar to those proposed by Robyt for dextransucrase, leading to the synthesis of a highly branched glucan containing both types of chain. The resulting structure is consistent with the evidence obtained from methylation analysis and enzymic degradations, and explains the synergy displayed when the two D-glucosyltransferases interact with sucrose. Variations in one basic structure can account for the characteristics of water-insoluble glucans from S. sanguis and S. salivarius, and for the strain-dependent diversity of S. mutans glucans.     

Isolation and purification of Flavobacterium alpha-1,3-glucanase-hydrolyzing, insoluble, sticky glucan of Streptococcus mutans.

Studies were made on the physical and chemical properties of polysaccharides synthesized by cell-free extracts of Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sanguis, and Streptococcus sp. and their susceptibilities to dextranases. Among the polysaccharides examined, insoluble glucans were rather resistant to available dextranase preparations, and the insoluble, sticky glucan produced by S. mutans OMZ 176, which could be important in formation of dental plaques, was the most resistant. By enrichment culture of soil specimens, using OMZ 176 glucans as the sole carbon source, an organism was isolated that produced colonies surrounded by a clear lytic zone on opaque agar plates containing the OMZ 176 glucan. The organism was identified as a strain of Flavobacterium and named the Ek-14 bacterium. EK-14 bacterium was grown in Trypticase soy broth, and an enzyme capable of hydrolyzing the OMZ 176 glucan was concentrated from the culture supernatant and purified by negative adsorption on a diethylaminoethyl-cellulose (DE-32) column and gradient elution chromatography with a carboxymethyl-cellulose (CM-32) column. The enzyme was a basic protein with an isoelectric point of pH 8.5 and molecular weight of 65,000. Its optimum pH was 6.3 and its optimal temperature was 42 C. The purified enzyme released 11% of the total glucose residues of the OMZ 176 glucan as reducing sugars and solubilized about half of the substrate glucan. The products were found to be isomaltose, nigerose, and nigerotriose, with some oligosaccharides. The purified enzyme split the alpha-1,3-glucan endolytically and was inactive toward glucans containing alpha-1,6, alpha-1,4, beta-1,3, beta-1,4, and/or beta-1,6 bonds as the main linkages.     

Ligand-binding properties of the carboxyl-terminal repeat domain of Streptococcus mutans glucan-binding protein A

Streptococcus mutans glucan-binding protein A (GbpA) has sequence similarity in its carboxyl-terminal domain with glucosyltransferases (GTFs), the enzymes responsible for catalyzing the synthesis of the glucans to which GbpA and GTFs can bind and which promote S. mutans attachment to and accumulation on the tooth surface. It was predicted that this C-terminal region, comprised of what have been termed YG repeats, represents the GbpA glucan-binding domain (GBD). In an effort to test this hypothesis and to quantitate the ligand-binding specificities of the GbpA GBD, several fusion proteins were generated and tested by affinity electrophoresis or by precipitation of protein-ligand complexes, allowing the determination of binding constants. It was determined that the 16 YG repeats in GbpA comprise its GBD and that GbpA has a greater affinity for dextran (a water-soluble form of glucan) than for mutan (a water-insoluble form of glucan). Placement of the GBD at the carboxyl terminus was necessary for maximum glucan binding, and deletion of as few as two YG repeats from either end of the GBD reduced the affinity for dextran by over 10-fold. Interestingly, the binding constant of GbpA for dextran was 34-fold higher than that calculated for the GBDs of two S. mutans GTFs, one of which catalyzes the synthesis of water-soluble glucan and the other of which catalyzes the synthesis of water-insoluble glucan.     

Preliminary evidence for a glucan acceptor in the yeast Candida albicans.

Two membrane preparation containing glucan synthase activity were obtained by lysis of regenerating sphaeroplasts (enzyme A) or mechanical breakage (enzyme B) of yeast (Candida albicans) cells. The reaction products of both enzymes (glucans A and B respectively) were characterized as linear beta-1,3-linked glucans on the basis of chemical and enzymic analysis. In addition, two pools of glucan could be distinguished in glucan A preparations on the basis of their susceptibility to an exoglucanase. In no case were the reaction products synthesized de novo; rather the radioactive chains were added to the non-reducing end of non-radioactive preformed glucan chains or to an acceptor of a different nature. At least some of the performed chains of glucan A, but not those of glucan B, showed a free reducing terminal. Glucan A preparations were endowed with endoglucanase activity, which, under appropriate conditions, released glucose, laminaribiose and laminaritriose. These sugars were also found in cell-wall autolysates. On the basis of the origin of both enzyme preparations it is suggested that glucan molecules are synthesized while they are bound to a non-glucan acceptor that is subsequently excised, presumably by cell-wall-associated glucanases.     

The production of glucans via glucansucrases from Lactobacillus satsumensis isolated from a fermented beverage starter culture

Several starter cultures used in the production of fermented beverages were screened for lactic acid bacteria that produced water-insoluble polysaccharides from sucrose. The strain producing the greatest amount was identified as Lactobacillus satsumensis by its 16S RNA sequence and was deposited in the ARS culture collection as NRRL B-59839. This strain produced at least two α-d-glucans from sucrose. One was a water-soluble dextran, consisting of predominantly α-(1?→?6)-linked d-glucose units, and the other was a water-insoluble glucan containing both α-(1?→?6)-linked and α-(1?→?3)-linked d-glucose units. The culture fluid was found to contain glucansucrases responsible for the two glucans, and no significant level of fructansucrase was detected. Glucansucrase activity was not present in the culture fluid when the bacteria were grown on glucose, fructose, or raffinose as the carbon source. Although the water-soluble glucans produced by cell-free enzyme and by cell suspensions were essentially identical, the same was not true for the water-insoluble glucans. The water-insoluble glucan produced by cell-free culture fluid contained a higher proportion of α-(1?→?3)-linked d-glucose units than the water-insoluble glucan produced by cell suspensions.     

Development of downstream processing to minimize beta‐glucan impurities in GMP‐manufactured therapeutic antibodies

The presence of impurities or contaminants in biological products such as monoclonal antibodies (mAb) could affect efficacy or cause adverse reactions in patients. ICH guidelines (Q6A and Q6B) are in place to regulate the level of impurities within clinical drug products. An impurity less often reported and, therefore, lacking regulatory guideline is beta‐glucan. Beta‐glucans are polysaccharides of d ‐glucose monomers linked by (1‐3) beta‐glycosidic bonds, and are produced by prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms, including plants. They may enter manufacturing processes via raw materials such as cellulose‐based membrane filters or sucrose. Here we report the detection of beta‐glucan contamination of a monoclonal IgE antibody (MOv18), manufactured in our facility for a first‐in‐human, first‐in‐class clinical trial in patients with cancer. Since beta‐glucans have potential immunostimulatory properties and can cause symptomatic infusion reactions, it was of paramount importance to identify the source of beta‐glucans in our product and to reduce the levels to clinically insignificant concentrations. We identified beta‐glucans in sucrose within the formulation buffer and within the housing storage buffer of the virus removal filter. We also detected low level beta‐glucan contamination in two of four commercially available antibodies used in oncology. Both formulation buffers contained sucrose. We managed to reduce levels of beta‐glucan in our product 10‐fold, by screening all sucrose raw material, filtering the sucrose by Posidyne® membrane filtration, and by incorporating extra wash steps when preparing the virus removal filter. The beta‐glucan levels now lie within a range that is unlikely to cause clinically significant immunological effects. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 32:1494–1502, 2016     

The molecular basis of glycogen breakdown and transport in Streptococcus pneumoniae

The genome of Streptococcus pneumoniae strains, as typified by the TIGR4 strain, contain several genes encoding proteins putatively involved in α‐glucan degradation, modification and synthesis. The extracellular components comprise an ATP binding cassette‐transporter with its solute binding protein, MalX, and the hydrolytic enzyme SpuA. We show that of the commonly occurring exogenous α‐glucans, S. pneumoniae TIGR4 is only able to grow on glycogen in a MalX‐ and SpuA‐dependent manner. SpuA is able to degrade glycogen into a ladder of α‐1,4‐glucooligosaccharides while the high‐affinity interaction (K_a ～ 10⁶ M^?1) of MalX with maltooligosaccharides plays a key role in promoting the selective uptake of the glycogen degradation products that are produced by SpuA. The X‐ray crystallographic analyses of apo‐ and complexed MalX illuminate the protein's specificity for the degradation products of glycogen and its striking ability to recognize the helical structure of the ligand. Overall, the results of this work provide new structural and functional insight into streptococcal α‐glucan metabolism while supplying biochemical support for the hypothesis that the substrate of the S. pneumoniaeα‐glucan metabolizing machinery is glycogen, which in a human host is abundant in lung epithelial cells, a common target for invasive S. pneumoniae.     

Mechanism of synthesis of D-glucans by D-glucosyltransferases from Streptococcus mutans 6715

Two glucosyltransferases from Streptococcus mutans 6715 were purified and separated. One of the glucosyltransferases synthesized an insoluble glucan, and the other, a soluble glucan. The enzymes were immobilized on Bio-Gel P-2 beads, and the mechanism of glucan synthesis was studied by pulse and chase techniques with 14C-sucrose. Label was associated with the immobilized enzymes. The label could be quantitatively released by heating at pH 2. Analysis of the labeled products from the pulse experiment showed labeled glucose and labeled glucan; the chase experiment showed labeled glucan and a significant decrease in labeled glucose. The glucans from the pulse and the chase experiments were separated from glucose by chromatography on Bio-Gel P-6. They were reduced with sodium borohydride, and the products hydrolyzed with acid. Analysis of the labeled products from the reduced and hydrolyzed, pulsed glucans showed labeled glucose and labeled glucitol; label in the glucitol was greatly decreased in the chase experiment. These experiments showed that glucose and glucan were covalently attached to the active site of the enzymes during synthesis, and that the glucose was being transferred to the reducing end of the glucan chain. A mechanism for the synthesis of the glucans is proposed in which there are two catalytic groups on each enzyme that holds glucosyl and glucanosyl units. During synthesis, the glucosyl and glucanosyl units alternate between the two sites, giving elongation of the glucans from the reducing end. The addition of increasing amounts of B-512F dextran to the insoluble-glucan-forming glucosyltransferase produced a decrease in the proportion of insoluble glucan formed and a concomitant increase in a soluble glucan. The total amount of glucan synthesized (soluble plus insoluble) was increased 1.6 times over the amount of insoluble glucan formed when no exogenous dextran was added. It is shown that the addition of B-512F dextran affects the solubility of the synthesized alpha-(1 to 3)-glucan by accepting alpha-(1-3)-glucan chains at various positions along the dextran chain, to give a soluble, graft polymer.     

Construction of chimeric glucansucrases for analyzing substrate-binding regions that affect the structure of glucan products

A gene that encodes dextransucrase S (dsrS) from Leuconostoc mesenteroides NRRL B-512F encodes a glucansucrase dextransucrase S (DSRS) which mainly produces water-soluble glucan (dextran), while the dsrT5 gene derived from dsrT of the B-512F strain encodes an enzyme dextransucrase T5 (DSRT5), which mainly produces water-insoluble glucan. Tyr340-Asn510 of DSRS and Tyr307-Asn477 of DSRT5 (Site 1), Lys696-Gly768 of DSRS and Lys668-Gly740 of DSRT5 (Site 2), and Asn917-Lys1131 of DSRS and Asn904-Lys1118 of DSRT5 (Site 3) were exchanged and six different chimeric enzymes were constructed. Water-soluble glucan produced by recombinant DSRS was composed of 64% 6-linked glucopyranoside (Glcp), 9% 3,6-linked Glcp, and 13% 4-linked Glcp. Water-insoluble glucan produced by recombinant DSRT5 was composed of 47% 6-linked Glcp and 43% 3-linked Glcp. All of the chimeric enzymes produced glucans different from the ones produced by their parental enzymes. Some of the glucans produced by chimeric enzymes were extremely changed. The Site 1 chimeric enzyme of DSRS (STS1) produced water-soluble glucan composed mostly of 6-linked Glcp. That of DSRT5 (TST1) produced water-insoluble glucan composed mostly of 4-linked Glcp. The Site 3 chimeric enzyme of DSRS (STS3) produced mainly water-insoluble glucan, DSRT5 (TST3) produced mainly water-soluble glucans, and all of the glucan fractions consisted of 3-Glcp, 4-Glcp, and 6-Glcp. The amounts of the three linkages in the water-soluble glucan produced by TST3 were about 1:1:1. Site 1 was assumed to be important for making or avoiding making alpha-1,4 linkages, while Site 3 was assumed to be important for determining the kinds of glucosyl linkages made.