Differences in cellulose digestive systems among castes in two termite lineages

Abstract.  Termites (Isoptera) are eusocial insects and express polyphenism. Soldiers have specialized morphology for colony defense, but their feeding activity is dependent on other colony members. To determine differences in cellulose degradation between soldier and worker termites, enzymatic activity and cellulase gene expression, as well digestive tract histology, are examined in two phylogenetically distant species. In Hodotermopsis sjostesti (family Termopsidae) , endo-β-1,4-glucanase activity is identified in the salivary glands, whereas β-glucosidase activity is identified in salivary glands and hindgut. The relative expression levels of endo-β-1,4-glucanase genes in soldiers are significantly lower than in workers. Thin sections of salivary gland of workers and soldiers are different in H. sjostedti . In Nasutitermes takasagoensis (family Termitidae), the endo-β-1,4-glucanase activity is restricted to the midgut in four tested castes (i.e. three types of workers and soldier). Examination of activity per termite reveals the highest activity in minor workers and the lowest activity in major workers and soldiers. The β-glucosidase activity is also concentrated on the midgut in all four castes. The relative expression level of the endo-β-1,4-glucanase gene does not correspond with its activity in the midgut. In thin sections prepared from N. takasagoensis , the folds and pulvillus in the gizzards, and cuticle structure of soldiers are less developed compared with the other three worker castes. The differences in digestive system among termite castes in terms of caste development in each species are discussed.     

pH profiles of cellulases depend on the substrate and architecture of the binding region

Understanding the pH effect of cellulolytic enzymes is of great technological importance. In this study, we have examined the influence of pH on activity and stability for central cellulases (Cel7A, Cel7B, Cel6A from Trichoderma reesei, and Cel7A from Rasamsonia emersonii). We systematically changed pH from 2 to 7, temperature from 20°C to 70°C, and used both soluble (4-nitrophenyl β- d -lactopyranoside [pNPL]) and insoluble (Avicel) substrates at different concentrations. Collective interpretation of these data provided new insights. An unusual tolerance to acidic conditions was observed for both investigated Cel7As, but only on real insoluble cellulose. In contrast, pH profiles on pNPL were bell-shaped with a strong loss of activity both above and below the optimal pH for all four enzymes. On a practical level, these observations call for the caution of the common practice of using soluble substrates for the general characterization of pH effects on cellulase activity. Kinetic modeling of the experimental data suggested that the nucleophile of Cel7A experiences a strong downward shift in pK_a upon complexation with an insoluble substrate. This shift was less pronounced for Cel7B, Cel6A, and for Cel7A acting on the soluble substrate, and we hypothesize that these differences are related to the accessibility of water to the binding region of the Michaelis complex.     

Cellulosic alcoholic fermentation using recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae engineered for the production of Clostridium cellulovorans endoglucanase and Saccharomycopsis fibuligeraβ-glucosidase

In this study, Saccharomyces cerevisiae was engineered for simultaneous saccharification and fermentation of cellulose by the overexpression of the endoglucanase D (EngD) from Clostridium cellulovorans and the β-glucosidase (Bgl1) from Saccharomycopsis fibuligera . To promote secretion of the two enzymes, the genes were fused to the secretion signal of the S. cerevisiae α mating factor gene. The recombinant developed yeast could produce ethanol through simultaneous production of sufficient extracellular endoglucanase and β-glucosidase. When direct ethanol fermentation from 20 g L⁻¹β-glucan as a substrate was performed with our recombinant strains, the ethanol concentration reached 9.15 g L⁻¹ after 50 h of fermentation. The conversion ratio of ethanol from β-glucan was 80.3% of the theoretical ethanol concentration produced from 20 g L⁻¹β-glucan. In conclusion, we have demonstrated the construction of a yeast strain capable of conversion of a cellulosic substrate to ethanol, representing significant progress towards the realization of processing of cellulosic biomass in a consolidated bioprocessing configuration.     

Catabolism of benzene compounds by ascomycetous and basidiomycetous yeasts and yeastlike fungi

A literature review is given on growth of yeasts on benzene compounds and on the catabolic pathways involved. Additionally, a yeast collection was screened for assimilation of phenol and 3-hydroxybenzoic acid. Fifteen ascomycetous and thirteen basidiomycetous yeast species were selected and were tested for growth on 84 benzene compounds. It appeared that 63 of these compounds supported growth of one or more yeast species. The black yeastExophiala jeanselmei assimilated 54 of these compounds.The catechol branch of the 3-oxoadipate pathway and its hydroxyhydroquinone variant were involved in phenol and resorcinol catabolism of ascomycetes as well as of basidiomycetes. However, these two groups of yeasts showed characteristic differences in hydroxybenzoate catabolism. In the yeastlike fungusE. jeanselmei and in basidiomycetes of the generaCryptococcus, Leucosporidium andRhodotorula, the protocatechuate branch of the 3-oxoadipate pathway was induced by growth on 3- and 4-hydroxybenzoic acids. In threeTrichosporon species and in all ascomycetous yeasts tested, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid was catabolyzed via protocatechuate and hydroxyhydroquinone. These yeasts were unable to cleave protocatechuate. 3-Hydroxybenzoic and 3-hydroxycinnamic acids were catabolized in ascomycetous yeasts via the gentisate pathway, but in basidiomycetes via protocatechuate.Incomplete oxidation of phenol, some chlorophenols, cresols and xylenols was observed in cultures ofCandida parapsilosis growing on hydroquinone. Most compounds transformed by the growing culture were also converted by the phenol monooxygenase present in cell-free extracts of this yeast. They did not support growth.The relationship between the ability of ascomycetous yeasts to assimilate n-alkanes, amines and benzene compounds, and the presence of Coenzyme Q₉ is discussed.     

Beta-glucosidase activity from the thermophilic fungus Scytalidium thermophilum is stimulated by glucose and xylose

An inducible mycelial beta-glucosidase from Scytalidum thermophilum was characterized. The enzyme exhibited a pI of 6.5, a carbohydrate content of 15%, and an apparent molecular mass of about 40 kDa. Optima of temperature and pH were 60 degrees C and 6.5, respectively. The enzyme was stable up to 1 h at 50 degrees C and exhibited a half-life of 20 min at 55 degrees C. The enzyme hydrolyzed p-nitrophenyl-beta-d-glucopyranoside, p-nitrophenyl-beta-d-xylopyranoside, o-nitrophenyl-beta-d-galactopyranoside, p-nitrophenyl-alpha-arabinopyranoside, cellobiose, laminaribiose and lactose. Kinetic studies indicated that the same enzyme hydrolyzed these substrates. Beta-Glucosidase was activated by glucose or xylose at concentration varying from 50 to 200 mM. The apparent affinity constants (K0.5) for glucose and xylose were 36.69 and 43.24 mM, respectively. The stimulatory effect of glucose and xylose on the S. thermophilum beta-glucosidase is a novel characteristic which distinguish this enzyme from all other beta-glucosidases so far described.     

Design of highly efficient cellulase mixtures for enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose

An extremely highly active cellobiohydrolase (CBH IIb or Cel6B) was isolated from Chrysosporium lucknowense UV18-25 culture filtrate. The CBH IIb demonstrated the highest ability for a deep degradation of crystalline cellulose amongst a few cellobiohydrolases tested, including C. lucknowense CBH Ia, Ib, IIa, and Trichoderma reesei CBH I and II. Using purified C. lucknowense enzymes (CBH Ia, Ib, and IIb; endoglucanases II and V; beta-glucosidase, xylanase II), artificial multienzyme mixtures were reconstituted, displaying an extremely high performance in a conversion of different cellulosic substrates (Avicel, cotton, pretreated Douglas fir wood) to glucose. These mixtures were much or notably more effective in hydrolysis of the cellulosic substrates than the crude multienzyme C. lucknowense preparation and other crude cellulase samples produced by T. reesei and Penicillium verruculosum. Highly active cellulases are a key factor in bioconversion of plant lignocellulosic biomass to ethanol as an alternative to fossil fuels.     

Simultaneous saccharification and fermentation of amorphous cellulose to ethanol by recombinant Klebsiella oxytoca SZ21 without supplemental cellulase

A derivative of Klebsiella oxytoca M5A1 containing chromosomally integrated genes for ethanol production from Zymomonas mobilis (pdc, adhB) and endoglucanase genes from Erwinia chrysanthemi (celY, celZ) produced over 20 000 U endoglucanase l^–1 activity during fermentation. In combination with the native ability to metabolize cellobiose and cellotriose, this strain was able to ferment amorphous cellulose to ethanol (58–76% of theoretical yield) without the addition of cellulase enzymes from other organisms.     

A novel function for the cellulose binding module of cellobiohydrolase I

A homogeneous cellulose-binding module(CBM)of cellobiohydrolase I(CBHI)from Trichoderma pseudokoningii S-38 was obtained by the limited proteolysis with papain and a series of chromatographs filtration.Analysis of FT-IR spectra demonstrated that the structural changes result from a weakening and splitting of the hydrogen bond network in cellulose by the action of CBMCBHI at 40℃for 24 h.The results of molecular dynamic simulations are consistent with the experimental conclusions, and provide a nanoscopic view of the mechanism that strong and medium H-bonds decreased dramatically when CBM was bound to the cellulose surface.The function of CBMCBHI is not only limited to locating intact CBHI in close proximity with cellulose fibrils,but also is involved in the structural disruption at the fibre surface.The present studies provided considerable evidence for the model of the intramolecular synergy between the catalytic domain and their CBMs.     

Mechanism of cellobiose inhibition in cellulose hydrolysis by cellobiohydrolase

An experimental study of cellobiose inhibition in cellulose hydrolysis by synergism of cellobiohydrolyse I and endoglucanase I is presented. Cellobiose is the structural unit of cellulose molecules and also the main product in enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose. It has been identified that cellobiose can strongly inhibit hydrolysis reaction of cellulase, whereas it has no effect on the adsorption of cellulase on cellulose surface. The experimental data of FT-IR spectra, fluorescence spectrum and circular dichroism suggested that cellobiose can be combined with tryptophan residue located near the active site of cellobiohydrolase and then form steric hindrance, which prevents cellulose molecule chains from diffusing into active site of cellulase. In addition, the molecular conformation of cellobiohydrolase changes after cellobiose binding, which also causes most of the non-productive adsorption. Under these conditions, microfibrils cannot be separated from cellulose chains, thus further hydrolysis of cellulose can hardly proceed.     

Nanoscale dynamics of cellulose digestion by the cellobiohydrolase TrCel7A

Understanding the mechanism by which cellulases from bacteria, fungi, and protozoans catalyze the digestion of lignocellulose is important for developing cost-effective strategies for bioethanol production. Cel7A from the fungus Trichoderma reesei is a model exoglucanase that degrades cellulose strands from their reducing ends by processively cleaving individual cellobiose units. Despite being one of the most studied cellulases, the binding and hydrolysis mechanisms of Cel7A are still debated. Here, we used single-molecule tracking to analyze the dynamics of 11,116 quantum dot-labeled TrCel7A molecules binding to and moving processively along immobilized cellulose. Individual enzyme molecules were localized with a spatial precision of a few nanometers and followed for hundreds of seconds. Most enzyme molecules bound to cellulose in a static state and dissociated without detectable movement, whereas a minority of molecules moved processively for an average distance of 39 nm at an average speed of 3.2 nm/s. These data were integrated into a three-state model in which TrCel7A molecules can bind from solution into either static or processive states and can reversibly switch between states before dissociating. From these results, we conclude that the rate-limiting step for cellulose degradation by Cel7A is the transition out of the static state, either by dissociation from the cellulose surface or by initiation of a processive run. Thus, accelerating the transition of Cel7A out of its static state is a potential avenue for improving cellulase efficiency.     

Modeling the activity burst in the initial phase of cellulose hydrolysis by the processive cellobiohydrolase Cel7A

The hydrolysis of cellulose by processive cellulases, such as exocellulase TrCel7A from Trichoderma reesei, is typically characterized by an initial burst of high activity followed by a slowdown, often leading to incomplete hydrolysis of the substrate. The origins of these limitations to cellulose hydrolysis are not yet fully understood. Here, we propose a new model for the initial phase of cellulose hydrolysis by processive cellulases, incorporating a bound but inactive enzyme state. The model, based on ordinary differential equations, accurately reproduces the activity burst and the subsequent slowdown of the cellulose hydrolysis and describes the experimental data equally well or better than the previously suggested model. We also derive steady-state expressions that can be used to describe the pseudo-steady state reached after the initial activity burst. Importantly, we show that the new model predicts the existence of an optimal enzyme-substrate affinity at which the pseudo-steady state hydrolysis rate is maximized. The model further allows the calculation of glucose production rate from the first cut in the processive run and reproduces the second activity burst commonly observed upon new enzyme addition. These results are expected to be applicable also to other processive enzymes.     

Activities of chitinolytic enzymes during primary and secondary colonization of wood by basidiomycetous fungi

The nitrogen (N) content of wood is usually suboptimal for fungal colonization. During decomposition of wood, an increasing fraction of the N becomes incorporated into fungal mycelium. Between 5 and 50% of the N in wood-degrading mycelium may be incorporated into chitin. Chitinolytic enzymes render this N available for re-utilization. Here, the activities of chitinolytic enzymes produced by wood-rotting fungi during degradation of spruce (Picea abies) wood were quantified in situ using fluorogenic 4-methylumbelliferyl substrates. A new method was developed that enables spatial quantification of enzyme activities on solid surfaces. All of the three tested fungi produced endochitinases, chitobiosidases and N-acetylhexosaminidases during colonization of wood. N-acetylhexosaminidase activity, and in some cases also chitobiosidase and endochitinase activities, were higher during secondary overgrowth of another fungus than during primary colonization of noncolonized wood. The results suggest that wood-degrading fungi degrade their own cell walls as well as the hyphae of earlier colonizers. Recycling of cell wall material within single mycelia and between fungal individuals during succession may lead to retention of N within woody debris.     

Mechanism of cellobiose inhibition in cellulose hydrolysis by cellobiohydrolase

An experimental study of cellobiose inhibition in cellulose hydrolysis by synergism of cellobiohydrolyse I and endoglucanase I is presented. Cellobiose is the structural unit of cellulose molecules and also the main product in enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose. It has been identified that cellobiose can strongly inhibit hydrolysis reaction of cellulase, whereas it has no effect on the adsorption of cellulase on cellulose surface. The experimental data of FT-IR spectra, fluorescence spectrum and circular dichroism suggested that cellobiose can be combined with trypto-phan residue located near the active site of cellobiohydrolase and then form steric hindrance, which prevents cellulose molecule chains from diffusing into active site of cellulase. In addition, the molecular conformation of cellobiohydrolase changes after cellobiose binding, which also causes most of the non-productive adsorption. Under these conditions, microfibrils cannot be separated from cellulose chains, thus further hydrolysis of cell     

糖苷水解酶7家族蛋白在纤维素降解中作用的研究进展

糖苷水解酶7家族（glycoside hydrolase family, GH7）是一类来源于真菌的水解酶,作用于纤维素结晶区或不定形区的β-1,4 键,可用于高效降解纤维素转化为可发酵的糖。GH7的成员具有高度保守序列以及相似三维结构,其催化结构域是由多个loop区围绕反向平行的β 折叠形成的β 三明治结构。目前已有17个GH7成员的结晶结构得到解析,明确了酶的结构与催化功能之间的关联,对GH7的来源及分类、蛋白序列、结构特征与催化纤维素降解功能关系的研究进展进行阐述。     

Cellulase digestibility of pretreated biomass is limited by cellulose accessibility

Attempts to correlate the physical and chemical properties of biomass to its susceptibility to enzyme digestion are often inconclusive or contradictory depending on variables such as the type of substrate, the pretreatment conditions and measurement techniques. In this study, we present a direct method for measuring the key factors governing cellulose digestibility in a biomass sample by directly probing cellulase binding and activity using a purified cellobiohydrolase (Cel7A) from Trichoderma reesei. Fluorescence-labeled T. reesei Cel7A was used to assay pretreated corn stover samples and pure cellulosic substrates to identify barriers to accessibility by this important component of cellulase preparations. The results showed cellulose conversion improved when T. reesei Cel7A bound in higher concentrations, indicating that the enzyme had greater access to the substrate. Factors such as the pretreatment severity, drying after pretreatment, and cellulose crystallinity were found to directly impact enzyme accessibility. This study provides direct evidence to support the notion that the best pretreatment schemes for rendering biomass more digestible to cellobiohydrolase enzymes are those that improve access to the cellulose in biomass cell walls, as well as those able to reduce the crystallinity of cell wall cellulose.     

Isolates of Microdochium nivale and M. majus Differentiated by Pathogenicity on Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and in vitro Growth at Low Temperature

Pink snow mould is a serious disease on grasses and winter cereals in cold and temperate zones during winter. To better understand the basis for the variation in pathogenicity between different isolates of Microdochium nivale and M. majus and to simplify selection of highly pathogenic isolates to use when screening for resistance to pink snow mould in perennial ryegrass, we sought traits correlated with pathogenicity. Isolates of M. nivale were more pathogenic on perennial ryegrass than isolates of M. majus, as measured by survival and regrowth of perennial ryegrass after infection and incubation under simulated snow cover. Pathogenicity as measured by relative regrowth was highly correlated with fungal growth rate on potato dextrose agar (PDA) at 2°C. Measuring fungal growth on PDA therefore seems to be a relatively simple method of screening for potentially highly pathogenic isolates. In a study of a limited number of isolates, highly pathogenic isolates showed an earlier increase and a higher total specific activity of β‐glucosidase, a cell wall‐degrading enzyme, compared with less pathogenic isolates. None of the M. majus isolates was highly pathogenic on perennial ryegrass. Our results indicate biological differences between M. nivale and M. majus and thus strengthen the recently published sequence‐based evidence for the elevation of these former varieties to species status.     

Biodegradation of tetrabromobisphenol A by oxidases in basidiomycetous fungi and estrogenic activity of the biotransformation products

Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) degradation was investigated using white rot fungi and their oxidative enzymes. Strains of the Trametes, Pleurotus, Bjerkandera and Dichomitus genera eliminated almost 1 mM TBBPA within 4 days. Laccase, whose role in TBBPA degradation was demonstrated in fungal cultures, was applied to TBBPA degradation alone and in combination with cellobiose dehydrogenase from Sclerotium rolfsii. Purified laccase from Trametes versicolor degraded approximately 2 mM TBBPA within 5 h, while the addition of cellobiose dehydrogenase increased the degradation rate to almost 2.5 mM within 3 h. Laccase was used to prepare TBBPA metabolites 2,6-dibromo-4-(2-hydroxypropane-2-yl) phenol (1), 2,6-dibromo-4-(2-methoxypropane-2-yl) phenol (2) and 1-(3,5-dibromo-4-hydroxyphen-1-yl)-2,2',6,6'-tetrabromo-4,4'-isopropylidene diphenol (3). As compounds 1 and 3 were identical to the TBBPA metabolites prepared by using rat and human liver fractions (Zalko et al., 2006), laccase can provide a simple means of preparing these metabolites for toxicity studies. Products 1 and 2 exhibited estrogenic effects, unlike TBBPA, but lower cell toxicity.     

微紫青霉外切葡聚糖纤维二糖水解酶（CBHI）的纤维素结合结构域及其链结区非水解性破坏纤维素结晶区结构

天然纤维素的结晶区必需在内、外切纤维素酶的协同作用下,始可被降解,这是纤维素降解的限速步骤。内、外切纤维素酶均为β－1,4－糖苷键的水解酶,但单一的内、外切纤维素酶却都不能水解天然纤维素的结晶区。内、外切纤维素酶怎样协同降解纤维素的机理一直未得阐明,是天然纤维素降解机制研究中的难点。纤维素酶分子是由具有催化功能的催化结构域（catalytic domain,CD）和具有结合纤维素功能的纤维素结合（吸附）结构域（cellulse biding domain,CBD）及涟结它们的链结区（linker）序列组成。已知一细菌的CBD在吸附纤维素后,纤维素聚合物断裂形成短小纤维,但这一现象还未在真菌中有类似发现,通过对插入质粒pUC-18上的微紫青霉外切葡聚糖纤维二糖水解酶CBHI的 cDNA基因,进行系列序列定向缺失等体外操作,得到了催化结构域序列缺失的重组质粒,转化大肠杆菌JM109后,利用纤维素结合结构域CBD可吸附纤维素的特性,筛选到含CBD编码区的转化子PUC18G,生产出了LacZ－CBD融合蛋白,经木瓜蛋白酶有限酶切后,分离纯化得到了CBD结构域及其链结区称为：CBDCBHI。经X光衍射、红外光谱分析、热活力测定和扫描电镜观察表明,CBDCBHI吸附纤维素后,能够导致纤维素聚合物氢键断裂,结晶度减低和形成短纤维,从而在底物可及性上为内切葡聚糖酶的水解糖化作用提供了条件,为真菌内、外切纤维素酶协同降解天然纤维素的作用机制提供了实验支持,并提出了内切纤维素酶的水解作用可为外切纤维素酶吸附纤维素提供能量的推论。