Cloning, sequencing, and expression of the cellulase genes of Humicola grisea var. thermoidea

We have cloned an endoglucanase (EGI) gene and a cellobiohydrolase (CBHI) gene of Humicola grisea var. thermoidea using a portion of the Trichoderma reesei endoglucanase I gene as a probe, and determined their nucleotide sequences. The deduced amino acid sequence of EGI was 435 amino acids in length and the coding region was interrupted by an intron. The EGI lacks a hinge region and a cellulose-binding domain. The deduced amino acid sequence of CBHI was identical to the H. grisea CBHI previously reported, with the exception of three amino acids. The H. grisea EGI and CBHI show 39.8% and 37.7% identity with the T. Reesei EGI, respectively. In addition to TATA box and CAAT motifs, putative CREA binding sites were observed in the 5′ upstream regions of both genes. The cloned cellulase genes were expressed in Aspergillus oryzae and the gene products were purified. The optimal temperatures of CBHI and EGI were 60 °C and 55–60 °C, respectively. The optimal pHs of these enzymes were 5.0. CBHI and EGI had distinct substrate specificities: CBHI showed high activity toward Avicel, whereas EGI showed high activity toward carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC).     

Biochemical characterization of a glycoside hydrolase family 61 endoglucanase from Aspergillus kawachii

The glycoside hydrolase family 61 endoglucanase from Aspergillus kawachii (AkCel61) is a modular enzyme that consists of a catalytic domain and a carbohydrate-binding module belonging to family 1 (CBM1) that are connected by a Ser-Thr linker region longer than 100 amino acids. We expressed the recombinant AkCel61, wild-type enzyme (rAkCel61), and a truncated enzyme consisting of the catalytic domain (rAkCel61ΔCBM) in Pichia pastoris and analyzed their biochemical properties. Purified rAkCel61 and rAkCel61ΔCBM migrated on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and were demonstrated to have apparent molecular masses of 81,000 and 34,000 Da, respectively. After treatment with endoglycosidase H, both proteins showed an increase in mobility, thus, demonstrating estimated molecular masses of 78,000 and 28,000 Da, respectively. Mass spectrometry analysis revealed that rAkCel61 and rAkCel61ΔCBM expressed in P. pastoris are heterogeneous due to protein glycosylation. The rAkCel61 protein bound to crystalline cellulose but not to arabinoxylan. The rAkCel61 and rAkCel61ΔCBM proteins produced small amounts of oligosaccharides from soluble carboxymethylcellulose. They also exhibited a slight hydrolytic activity toward laminarin. However, they showed no detectable activity toward microcrystalline cellulose, arabinoxylan, and pectin. Both recombinant enzymes also showed no detectable activity toward p-nitrophenyl β-d-glucoside, p-nitrophenyl β-d-cellobioside, and p-nitrophenyl β-d-cellotrioside. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Novel serine penicillocarboxypeptidase CPD-S3 from Penicillium janthinellum IBT 3991: Purification, characterization, and uses in peptide synthesis and modification

A novel carboxypeptidase (CPD-S3) from Penicillium janthinellum IBT 3991 has been isolated in a two-step purification procedure by cation exchange and affinity chromatography. The enzyme is a serine carboxypeptidase with a denatured molecular mass determined by SDS of 62 kDa of which 32% is carbohydrate. The isoelectric point is 5.1. CPD-S3 exhibits a high stability towards organic solvents and elevated temperatures. Besides the carboxypeptidase activity, CPD-S3 exhibits esterase, amidase, and carboxamidohydrolase activities. CPD-S3 favors substrates of -configuration with basic amino acid residues in either P₁ or P_1', and particularly dibasic substrates and medium-sized straight-chain alkyl esters for hydrolysis. In aminolysis of esters, amino acid amides and hydrazines coupled in good yield, but methyl esters poorly, and unlike other carboxypeptidases, free amino acids could not be coupled or transpeptidation effected to form amides. In ester semisynthesis, peptides with neutral, but not basic, residues in P₁ could be esterified. The scope of applicability for enzymatic peptide synthesis is limited.     

Separation and quantification of cellulases and hemicellulases by capillary electrophoresis

Cellulases and hemicellulases are two classes of enzymes produced by filamentous fungi and secreted into the cultivation medium. Both classes of enzymes consist of a subset of classes of which the fungi produce several enzymes with varying molecular mass and pI but similar enzymatic activities. Current methods are limited in their ability to quantify all of these enzymes when all are present simultaneously in a mixture. Five different cellulases (two cellobiohydrolases and three endoglucanases) and one hemicellulase (endoxylanase) were separated using capillary electrophoresis (CE) in a fused silica capillary at pH values close to neutral. The improvement of the separation of these six proteins by the addition of alpha,omega-diaminoalkanes with chain lengths from three to seven carbon units was investigated. Dynamically coating the capillary with 1,3-diaminopropane resulted in separation of the six enzymes and the reproducibility of the migration times was between 0.6 and 1.9%. Two cases-quantitative determination of the enzyme concentrations in cultivation samples and investigation of adsorption of the enzymes onto cellulose-demonstrated the advantages and perspectives of CE analysis of these broad groups of enzymes.     

Purification and partial characterization of exopolygalacturonase I from Penicillium frequentans

A polygalacturonase with a molecular mass of 74 kDa, an isoelectric point around pH 4.2 and pH – and temperature optima of 3.9 and 50°C, respectively, was purified from a culture fluid of Penicillium frequentans. The enzyme was characterized as an exo-α-1,4-polygalacturonase (exo-PG I). K_m and V_max for sodium polypectate hydrolysis were 0.68 g/l and 596.8 U × mg⁻¹, respectively. The enzyme, a glycoprotein with a carbohydrate content of 81%, is probably the main pectinase of Penicillium frequentans responsible for cleaving monomer units from the non-reducing end of pectin.     

Purification and characterization of a chitinase from Amycolatopsis orientalis with N-acetyllactosamine-repeating unit releasing activity

We report a novel enzyme from the culture filtrate of Amycolatopsis orientalis, that endoglycosidically releases an N-acetyllactosamine-repeating unit (Galbeta1,4GlcNAcbeta1,3Galbeta1,4GlcNAc, LN2) from a synthetic chromogenic substrate Galbeta1,4GlcNAcbeta1,3Galbeta1,4GlcNAcbeta-pNP (1). The enzyme activity was purified by 80% saturated ammonium sulfate precipitation followed by gel filtration and affinity chromatography. The enzyme splits 1, Galbeta1,4GlcNAcbeta-pNP (2), GlcNAcbeta1,3Galbeta1,4GlcNAcbeta-pNP (3), and GlcNAcbeta1,4GlcNAcbeta-pNP (4) into the corresponding oligosaccharides and p-nitrophenol. The catalytic efficiencies (k(cat)/K(m)) for compounds 1, 2, and 4 were 0.6, 0.05, and 13, respectively. Compound 4 acts as a fairly good substrate for the enzyme, and LN2-releasing activity was inhibited by 4 and GlcNAcbeta1,4GlcNAcbeta1,4GlcNAcbeta-pNP (7), indicating that this enzyme activity is derived from a kind of chitinase. The enzyme hydrolyzed 1 by a mechanism leading to retention of the anomeric configuration. This is the first report of a N-acetyllactosamine-repeating unit releasing enzyme.     

木聚糖酶和甘露聚糖酶在毕赤酵母中的共表达及产酶分析

木聚糖酶和甘露聚糖酶是两种重要的半纤维素酶,也是两种重要的饲用酶制剂,通过毕赤酵母表达系统中的体外串联表达盒构建多拷贝的方法构建了木聚糖酶DSB和甘露聚糖酶Man A共表达重组质粒p PICZαA/DSB-ManA,将该重组质粒电转化至宿主菌毕赤酵母X33中获得共表达两种酶的重组菌X33/DSB-ManA,实现了两种酶的共分泌表达,经诱导表达后木聚糖酶和甘露聚糖酶的酶活分别为273. 6 U/ml和256. 8 U/ml,为单独表达重组菌X33/DSB和X33/Man A酶活的30. 4%和73. 4%。酶学性质的分析显示DSB和Man A的最适反应温度均为75℃,在45℃～75℃范围内具有较好的温度稳定性,酶活可保持最高酶活的60%以上; DSB最适pH为6. 5,Man A最适pH为6. 0,在pH 3. 0、40℃条件下,Man A处理1h能保持最高酶活的80%以上,DSB处理1 h时能保持最高酶活的50%以上; DSB和Man A对多种金属离子和化学试剂(浓度为1 mM)具有较好的耐受性,均可保留60%以上的酶活力。通过单一菌株成功完成了不同酶的共表达,为复合酶饲料添加剂的生产和应用研究提供了一定的理论依据。     

烟草磷酸吡哆醛水解酶的分离纯化与表征

采用硫酸铵沉淀、DEAE-Sepharose Fast Flow阴离子交换、Sephadex G-100凝胶过滤和SP Sephadex C-25阳离子交换柱层析等步骤,对烟草磷酸吡哆醛水解酶进行了分离纯化。结果表明:该酶被纯化了119.6倍,得率为28.49%,经凝胶过滤和SDS-PAGE测得该酶的全分子量为49.6kDa,亚基分子量约为25kDa;该酶最适温度为50℃,最适反应pH为5.5;Mg2+、Ca2+、Mn2+等对该酶有激活作用,金属离子螯合剂EDTA对酶有抑制作用,加入Mg2+后抑制作用得到解除;在最适反应条件下,测得反应底物磷酸吡哆醛(PLP)和磷酸吡哆胺(PMP)的Km值分别为0.23mmol/L和0.56mmol/L。     

嗜热毛壳菌外切葡聚糖纤维二糖水解酶的纯化和部分性质研究

研究液体发酵嗜热毛壳菌(Chaetomium thermophilum)产生的一种外切葡聚糖纤维二糖水解酶的分离纯化及特性。粗酶液经硫酸铵沉淀、DEAE-Sepharose Fast Flow阴离子层析、Sephacryl S-100分子筛层析、Q Sepharose Fast Flow强阴离子层析等步骤后获得凝胶电泳均一的外切葡聚糖纤维二糖水解酶。经12.5%SDS-PAGE和凝胶过滤层析方法测得该酶的分子量大小约为66.3kDa和67.1kDa。该酶反应的最适温度和pH值分别为65℃和5.0。在60℃以下酶比较稳定,在70℃酶的半衰期为1h,在80℃下保温20min仍具有20%的活性,该酶的热稳定性较中温真菌的同类酶高,与国外报道的嗜热真菌的同类酶热稳定性接近。以pNPC为底物的Km值为0.956mmol/L。     

米曲霉耐热木聚糖酶纯化及酶学特性研究

对米曲霉原始发酵液中耐热木聚糖酶进行纯化和酶学特性研究,利用甘蔗渣为碳源培养米曲霉,通过超滤和阴离子交换柱两步纯化得到木聚糖酶XynH1,分子量35．402kDa,利用飞行时间质谱和SDS—PAGE分析,推断XynH1为XylanaseXynF1,分子量为35．402kDa。XynH1属于糖苷水解酶家族10,酶活为442．2IU／nag,最适pH和温度分别为pH6．0和65℃,80℃以下及pH4．0～10．5范围内较稳定。     

Extra carbohydrate binding module contributes to the processivity and catalytic activity of a non-modular hydrolase family 5 endoglucanase from Fomitiporia mediterranea MF3/22

FmEG from Fomitiporia mediterranea is a non-modular endoglucanase composed of a 24-amino acids extension and 13-amino acids linker-like peptide at the N-terminus and a 312-amino acids GH5 catalytic domain (CD) at the C-terminus. In this study, six FmEG derivatives with deletion of N-terminal fragments or fusion with an extra family 1 carbohydrate-binding module (CBM1) was constructed in order to evaluate the contribution of CBM1 to FmEG processivity and catalytic activity. FmEG showed a weak processivity and released cellobiose (G2) and cellotriose (G3) as main end products, and cellotriose (G4) as minor end product from filter paper (FP), but more amount of G4 was released from regenerated amorphous cellulose (RAC). All derivatives had similar activity on carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) with the same optimal pH (7.0) and temperature (50 °C). However, fusing an extra CBM1 to FmEG△24 or FmEG△37 with flexible peptide significantly improved its processivity and catalytic activity to FP and RAC. Overall, 1.79- and 1.84-fold increases in the soluble/insoluble product ratio on FP, and 1.38- and 1.39-fold increases on RAC, compared to FmEG△24, were recorded for CBM1-FmEG△24 and CBM1-linker-FmEG△24, respectively. Meanwhile, they displayed 2.64- and 2.67-fold more activity on RAC, and 1.68- and 1.77-fold on FP, respectively. Similar improvement was also obtained for CBM1-linker-FmEG△37 as compared with FmEG△37. Interestingly, fusion of an extra CBM1 with FmEG also caused an alteration of cleavage pattern on insoluble celluloses. Our results suggest that such improvements in processivity and catalytic activity may arise from CBM1 binding affinity. The N-terminal 24- or 37-amino acids may serve as linker for sufficient spatial separation of the two domains required for processivity and catalytic activity. In addition, deletion of the N-terminal 24- or 37-amino acids led to significant reduction in thermostability but not the enzymatic activity.     

Purification and characterization of a thermophilic alkaline xylanase from thermoalkaliphilic Bacillus sp. strain TAR-1

Thermoalkaliphilic Bacillus sp. strain TAR-1 isolated from soil produced an extracellular xylanase. The enzyme (xylanase R) was purified to homogeneity by ammonium sulfate fractionation and anion-exchange chromatography. The molecular mass of xylanase R was 40 kDa and the isoelectric point was 4.1. The enzyme was most active over the range of pH 5.0 to 10.0 at 50°C. The optimum temperatures for activity were 75°C at pH 7.0 and 70°C at pH 9.0. Xylanase R was stable up to 65°C at pH 9.0 for 30 min in the presence of xylan. Mercury(ll) ion at 1 mM concentration abolished all the xylanase activity. The predominant products of xylan-hydrolysate were xylobiose, xylotriose, and higher oligosaccharides, indicating that xylanase R was an endo-acting enzyme. Xylanase R had a K_m of 0.82 mg/ml and a V_max of 280 μmol min⁻¹ mg⁻¹ for xylan at 50°C and pH 9.0.     

Purification and characterization of xylanase from Aspergillus ficuum AF-98

The purification and characterization of xylanase from Aspergillus ficuum AF-98 were investigated in this work. The extracellular xylanase from this fungal was purified 32.6-fold to homogeneity throughout the precipitation with 50–80% (NH₄)₂SO₄, DEAE-Sephadex A-50 ion exchange chromatography and Sephadex G-100 chromatography. The purified xylanase (specific activity at 288.7 U/ mg protein) was a monomeric protein with a molecular mass of 35.0 kDa as determined by SDS-PAGE. The optimal temperature and pH for the action of the enzyme were at 45 °C and 5.0, respectively. The xylanase was activated by Cu²⁺ up to 115.8% of activity, and was strongly inhibited by Hg²⁺, Pb²⁺ up to 52.8% and 89%, respectively. The xylanase exhibited K_m and V_max values of 3.267 mg/mL, 18.38 M/min/mg for beechwood xylan and 3.747 mg/mL, 11.1 M/min/mg for birchwood xylan, respectively.     

海洋微生物有机磷降解酶的纯化与性质研究

从长期受有机磷农药污染的海水中分离得到1株能高效降解农药的芽胞杆菌M-1,通过离子交换层析、凝胶过滤层析等方法从发酵液中分离纯化了有机磷农药降解酶,SDS-PAGE测得该酶的分子质量约为45 kD。酶反应最适pH为7.5,最适反应温度为30℃,30℃下保温30 min,酶活力基本不变,高于30℃酶活力则迅速下降;K 、Na 、Ca2 、Mn2 对酶活性有促进作用,Hg2 、Zn2 和Cu2 等对酶有抑制作用。     

Purification and characterization of alanine racemase from hepatopancreas of black-tiger prawn, Penaeus monodon

Alanine racemase has been purified to homogeneity from the hepatopancreas of the black tiger prawn, Panaeus mondon. The enzyme depends on pyridoxal 5′-phosphate and consists of two subunits with an identical molecular weight of 41,000. V_max and K_m values for -alanine are 460 μmol/min/mg and 50 mM, and those for -alanine are 94 μmol/min/mg and 24 mM, respectively. The enzyme is highly specific toward alanine. Among other amino acids examined, only serine served as a substrate: -serine was racemized at a rate of approximately 0.5% of that of -alanine. The prawn enzyme is immunochemically distinguishable from the enzymes of Bacillus stearothermophilus and Schizosaccharomyces pombe, which resemble each other. The prawn enzyme is activated and stabilized by the presence of monovalent anions including chloride. This is consistent with the previous hypothesis (e.g. E. Fujita, E. Okuma, H. Abe, Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 116A (1997) 83–87) that -alanine serves as an osmoregulator in marine and euryhaline animals.     

Purification and characterization of a novel cellulase-free xylanase from Acrophialophora nainiana

A beta-xylanase (XynIII) of Acrophialophora nainiana was purified to homogeneity from the culture supernatant by ultrafiltration and a combination of ion exchange and gel filtration chromatographic methods. It was optimally active at 55 degrees C and pH 6.5. XynIII had molecular masses of 27.5 and 54 kDa, as estimated by gel filtration and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, respectively. The purified enzyme hydrolyzed preferentially xylan as the substrate. The half-lives of XynIII at 50 and 60 degrees C were 96 and 1 h, respectively. It was activated by L-tryptophan, dithiothreitol, 5,5-dithio-bis(2-nitrobenzoic acid, L-cysteine and beta-mercaptoethanol and strongly inhibited by N-bromosuccinimide. The presence of carbohydrate was detected in the pure XynIII.     

Recombinant expression, characterization, and pulp prebleaching property of a Phanerochaete chrysosporium endo-β-1,4-mannanase

A Phanerochaete chrysosporium cDNA predicted to encode endo-1,4-β-d-mannanase, man5D, was cloned and expressed in Aspergillus niger. The coding region of the gene man5D was predicted to contain, in order from the N-terminal: a secretory signal peptide, cellulose-binding domain, linker region, and glycosyl hydrolase family 5 catalytic site. The enzyme was purified from culture filtrate of A. niger transformants that carried the recombinant man5D. Recombinant Man5D had an apparent molecular size of about 65 kDa by SDS-PAGE, and optimal activity at pH 4.0–6.0 and 60 °C. It was stable from pH 4.0 to 8.0 and up to 60 °C. The enzyme showed affinity for Avicel cellulose, suggesting that the predicted cellulose-binding domain is biologically functional. The specific activities of Man5D on mannan, galactomannan, and glucomannan at pH 5 and 60 °C ranged from 160 to 460 μmol/(min mg), with apparent K_m values from 0.54 to 2.3 mg/mL. Product analysis results indicated that Man5D catalyzes endo-cleavage, and appears to have substantial transglycosylase activity. When used to treat softwood kraft pulp, Man5D hydrolyzed mainly glucomannan and exhibited a positive effect as a prebleaching agent. Compared to a commercial prebleaching with xylanase, the prebleaching effect of Man5D was weaker but with reduced loss of fibre yield as determined by the release of solubilized sugars.     

Biochemical characterization and mode of action of a thermostable endoglucanase purified from Thermoascus aurantiacus

A major extracellular endoglucanase purified to homogeneity from Thermoascus aurantiacus had a M(r) of 34 kDa and a pI of 3.7 and was optimally active at 70-80 degrees C and pH 4.0-4.4. It was stable at pH 2.8-6.8 at 50 degrees C for 48 h and maintained its secondary structure and folded conformation up to 70 degrees C at pH 5.0 and 2.8, respectively. A 33-amino acid sequence at the N terminus showed considerable homology with 14 microbial endoglucanases having highly conserved 8 amino acids (positions 10-17) and Gly, Pro, Gly, and Pro at positions 8, 22, 23, and 32, respectively. The enzyme is rich in Asp (15%) and Glu (10%) with a carbohydrate content of 2.7%. Polyclonal antibodies of endoglucanase cross-reacted with their own antigen and with other purified cellulases from T. aurantiacus. The endoglucanase was specific for polymeric substrates with highest activity toward carboxymethyl cellulose followed by barley beta-glucan and lichenan. It preferentially cleaved the internal glycosidic bonds of Glc(n) and MeUmbGlc(n) and possessed an extended substrate-binding site with five subsites. The data indicate that the endoglucanase from T. aurantiacus is a member of glycoside hydrolase family 5.     

Purification and characterization of extracellular chitinase from Aeromonas schubertii

A locally isolated stain Aeromonas schubertii was cultured and induced by powdered chitin for the production of chitinases. Extracellular proteins were purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation, dialysis to remove salts, and then preparative isoelectric focusing (IEF) to yield several chitinases. The purified enzymes were analyzed by SDS–PAGE (sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis) with and without glycol chitin and were found to be SDS-resistant. The chitinase present in the highest abundance was the one with an estimated molecular weight of 75 kDa. The Michaelis constant and turnover number were determined to be 0.29 mM and 1 s⁻¹, respectively, for this enzyme using colloidal chitin azure as the substrate. However, the ethanol treatment of this enzyme could significantly increase its chitinolytic activity. Other chitinases obtained in the same IEF fraction were determined to have molecular weights of ca. 30, 38, and 110 kDa. Since the proteins with highest chitinase activity were collected from IEF fraction tube with pH value of 4.8, those chitinase were believed to be acidic. An activity assay method using colloidal chitin azure as the substrate was recommended since it possessed a broader range of linearity in comparison with conventional reducing sugar equivalent method.