Purification and characterization of a thermostable xylanase from Bacillus stearothermophilus T-6.

Bacillus stearothermophilus T-6 produces an extracellular xylanase that was shown to optimally bleach pulp at pH 9 and 65 degrees C. The enzyme was purified and concentrated in a single adsorption step onto a cation exchanger and is made of a single polypeptide with an apparent M(r) of 43,000 (determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis). Xylanase T-6 is an endoxylanase that completely degrades xylan to xylose and xylobiose. The pIs of the purified protein were 9 and 7 under native and denaturing conditions, respectively. The optimum activity was at pH 6.5; however, 60% of the activity was still retained at pH 10. At 65 degrees C and pH 7, the enzyme was stable for more than 10 h; at 65 degrees C and pH 9, the half-life of the enzyme was approximately 6 h. Kinetic experiments at 55 degrees C gave Vmax and Km values of 288 U/mg and 1.63 mg/ml, respectively. The enzyme had no apparent requirement for cofactors, and its activity was strongly inhibited by Zn2+, Cd2+, and Hg2+. Xylan completely protected the protein from inactivation by N-bromosuccinimide. The N-terminal sequence of the first 45 amino acids of the enzyme showed high homology with the N-terminal region of xylanase A from the alkalophilic Bacillus sp. strain C-125.     

Purification and characterization of alpha-L-arabinofuranosidase from Bacillus stearothermophilus T-6.

Bacillus stearothermophilus T-6 produced an alpha-L-arabinofuranosidase when grown in the presence of L-arabinose, sugar beet arabinan, or oat spelt xylan. At the end of a fermentation, about 40% of the activity was extracellular, and enzyme activity in the cell-free supernatant could reach 25 U/ml. The enzymatic activity in the supernatant was concentrated against polyethylene glycol 20000, and the enzyme was purified eightfold by anion-exchange and hydrophobic interaction chromatographies. The molecular weight of T-6 alpha-L-arabinofuranosidase was 256,000, and it consisted of four identical subunits as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and gel filtration. The native enzyme had a pI of 6.5 and was most active at 70 degrees C and at pH 5.5 to 6.0. Its thermostability at pH 7.0 was characterized by half-lives of 53, 15, and 1 h at 60, 65, and 70 degrees C, respectively. Kinetic experiments at 60 degrees C with p-nitrophenyl alpha-L-arabinofuranoside as a substrate gave a Vmax, a Km, and an activation energy of 749 U/mg, 0.42 mM, and 16.6 kcal/mol, (ca. 69.5 kJ/mol), respectively. The enzyme had no apparent requirement for cofactors, and its activity was strongly inhibited by 1 mM Hg2+. T-6 alpha-L-arabinofuranosidase released L-arabinose from arabinan and had low activity on oat spelt xylan. The enzyme acted cooperatively with T-6 xylanase in hydrolyzing oat spelt xylan, and L-arabinose, xylose, and xylobiose were detected as the end reaction products.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Large-scale purification of xylanase T-6

Bacillus stearothermophilus T-6 produces an extracellular thermostable xylanase that can bleach paper pulp optimally at 60°C and pH 9.0. We developed an efficient method for purifying the enzyme from the cell broth by using successive steps of batch adsorption on the cellulosic cation exchanger SE-52. The optimal pH values for adsorption and elution are 5.5 and 9 respectively. The conductivity of the cell broth should remain below 7 mS/cm² and the suitable temperature range for adsorption is 15–60°C. The adsorption parameters are: maximum capacity, 118 mg enzyme/g adsorbent; dissociation constant, 0.6 mg/ml; partition coefficient 0.988. On the basis of these results, a large-scale (12 000 l) purification process was carried out resulting in a 55% final yield and over 95% pure enzyme.     

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray studies of Bacillus pumilus IPO xylanase

The xylan-degrading enzyme xylanase, from Bacillus pumilus IPO, has been crystallized. The crystals are monoclinic, space group P21 with a = 40.8 A, b = 66.8 A, c = 34.7 A and beta = 103.0 degrees. The asymmetric unit contains one molecule of Mr 22,500. The crystals diffract to at least 2.5 A resolution, and they are suitable for X-ray crystal structure analysis at high resolution.     

Xylanase homology modeling using the inverse protein folding approach.

Xylanase has been used in wood pulp bleaching in an effort to reduce chlorine release into the environment and pollution associated with paper production. The three-dimensional structure of xylanase is important to enable better understanding of the enzyme mechanism and to help design a more thermostable xylanase mutant. At the time this work was begun, there was no sequence homologous protein available for traditional sequence-based homology modeling. In order to circumvent this problem, the inverse protein folding approach was undertaken to find a suitable template structure. Model structures of Bacillus circulans xylanase were built based on the data-base search results of related proteins. The model structures were refined and compared to the recently solved xylanase X-ray crystal structure. The overall structural similarity between the theoretical model and experimental structure demonstrate the usefulness of this approach. Disagreement in folding topology, however, warrants further research into the inverse protein folding approach.     

The overexpression of one single cbh gene making Trichoderma asperellum T-1 a better cellulase producer

Trichoderma asperellum T-1, a traditional bio-control strain, is previously found to be potentially useful in the degradation of natural waste lignocellulose as it can ferment the natural materials without pretreatment. Many problems caused by substrate pretreatment can be therefore avoided. In this study, we intended to engineer a new strain to enhance its lignocellulose degradation ability by modifying the genome of T. asperellum T-1. A genetic transformation system mediated by Agrobacterium tumefaciens AGL-1 (ATMT) was constructed on T. asperellum T-1. On this basis, the overexpressed strain was produced by transforming a recombinant cellobiosidase gene (cbh) under the control of inducible promoter of endo-1, 4-β-xylanase gene, into wild-type T. asperellum T-1. After resistance screening, multiple transmission, growth comparison, and enzyme activity determination, four transformants (M1, M2, M5, and M6) were obtained. Filter paper cellulase activity of these transformants reached, respectively, 36.2%, 30.6%, 32.9%, and 42.7% higher than the wild-type strain. Most importantly, the CMCase, β-glucosidase and xylanase activity were also increased, although only one cbh gene was overexpressed. This work indicated that the enhancement of cellulase production ability of T. asperellum T-1 can be promisingly feasible by genetic modification. And the xylanase gene’s promoter can be effectively used in genetic modification to promote T. asperellum T-1 to be more effectively used in lignocellulose degradation.     

链霉菌zxy19木聚糖酶酶学性质及酶基因克隆

采用平板筛选法,从红树林放线菌中筛选到一株有较强木聚糖酶活的菌株zxy19,其16SrDNA序列与Streptomyces sampsonii的同源性仅为96%.该菌株木聚糖酶活为852.41 IU/mL,酶反应最适pH值为7,最适反应温度为60℃.用针对木聚糖酶基因保守结构域的一对简并引物扩增到该酶基因部分序列,进而通过反向PCR扩增到了完整的酶基因,对该基因序列分析结果表明此木聚糖酶基因属于糖基水解酶家族11的成员,酶蛋白氨基酸序列与已报道序列同源性最高为79%(Streptomyces lividans xylanase B).构建了该酶重组表达质粒pET-28a-xyl 696,经过IPTG诱导实现了该酶蛋白在大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)中的异源表达,且通过镍柱纯化后的表达产物具有生物学活性.     

High-throughput Purification and Quality Assurance of Arabidopsis thaliana Proteins for Eukaryotic Structural Genomics

The Center for Eukaryotic Structural Genomics (CESG) has established procedures for the purification of Arabidopsis proteins in a high-throughput mode. Recombinant proteins were fused with (His)(6)-MBP tags at their N-terminus and expressed in Escherichia coli. Using an automated AKTApurifier system, fusion proteins were initially purified by immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC). After cleavage of (His)(6)-MBP tags by TEV protease, (His)(6)-MBP tags were separated from target proteins by a subtractive 2nd IMAC. As a part of quality assurance, all purified proteins were subjected to MALDI-TOF and ESI mass spectrometry to confirm target identity and integrity, and determine incorporation of seleno-methionine (SeMet) and (15)N and (13)C isotopes. The protocols have been used successfully to provide high quality proteins that are suitable for structural studies by X-ray crystallography and NMR.     

High-level xylanase production by alkaliphilic Bacillus pumilus ASH under solid-state fermentation

Bacillus pumilus ASH produced a high level of an extracellular and thermostable xylanase enzyme when grown using solid-state fermentation (SSF). Among a few easily available lignocellulosics tested, wheat bran was found to be the best substrate (5,300 U/g of dry bacterial bran). Maximum xylanase production was achieved in 72 h (5,824 U/g). Higher xylanase activity was obtained when wheat bran was moistened with deionized water (6,378 U/g) at a substrate-to-moisture ratio of 1:2.5 (w/v). The optimum temperature for xylanase production was found to be 37°C. The inoculum level of 15% was found to be the most suitable for maximum xylanase production (7,087 U/g). Addition of peptone stimulated enzyme production followed by yeast extract and mustard oil cake, whereas glucose, xylose and malt extract greatly repressed the enzyme activity. Repression by glucose was concentration-dependent, repressing more than 60% of the maximum xylanase production at a concentration of 10% (w/v). Cultivation in large enamel trays yielded a xylanase titre that was slightly lower to that in flasks. The enzyme activity was slightly lower in SSF than in SmF but the ability of the organism to produce such a high level of xylanase at room temperature and with deionized water without addition of any mineral salts in SSF, could lead to substantial reduction in the overall cost of enzyme production. This is the first report on production of such a high level of xylanase under SSF conditions by bacteria.     

Structural basis of the properties of an industrially relevant thermophilic xylanase

A thermophilic xylanase from Bacillusstrain D3 suitable for use as a bleach booster in the paper pulping industry has been identified and characterized. The enzyme is suited to the high temperature and alkaline conditions needed for using xylanases in the pulp industry. The xylanase is stable at 60°C and relatively stable at high temperatures, with a temperature optimum of 75°C. The pH optimum is 6, but the enzyme is active over a broad pH range. The xylanase has been cloned and sequenced, and the crystal structure has been determined. The structure of BacillusD3 xylanase reveals an unusual feature of surface aromatic residues, which form clusters or “sticky patches” between pairs of molecules. These “sticky patches” on the surface of the enzyme are responsible for the tendency of the protein to aggregate at high concentrations in the absence of reagents such as ethylene glycol. The formation of dimers and higher order polymers via these hydrophobic contacts may also contribute to the thermostability of this xylanase. Proteins 29:77–86, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

里氏木霉GXC木聚糖酶的研究*

研究了里氏木霉GXC产木聚糖酶的条件和酶学性质。结果表明,适宜产酶碳源为乳糖、甘露糖、棉子糖、木聚糖和麸皮,氮源为牛肉膏和酵母膏;产酶的最适初始pH为4.0,30℃培养60h。对以麸皮为碳源的培养液进行纯化的酶特性研究表明,木聚糖酶的最适反应温度为50℃,pH为5.5,该酶在pH5.0(7.0和40℃以下相对稳定。Fe3+和Mn2+对木聚糖酶有较大的促进作用,Cu～2+、Fe～2+和Ca～2+ 具有抑制作用。     

Cloning, sequencing, and expression of a xylanase gene from the extreme thermophile Dictyoglomus thermophilum Rt46B.1 and activity of the enzyme on fiber-bound substrate.

A genomic library of the Dictyoglomus sp. strain Rt46B.1 was constructed in the phage vector lambda ZapII and screened for xylanase activity. A plaque expressing xylanase activity, designated B6-77, was isolated and shown to contain a genomic insert of 5.3 kb. Subcloning revealed that the xylanase activity was restricted to a internal 1,507-bp PstI-HindIII fragment which was subsequently sequenced and shown to contain a single complete open reading frame coding for a single-domain xylanase, XynA, with a putative length of 352 amino acids. Homology comparisons show that XynA is related to the family F group of xylanases. The temperature and pH optima of the recombinant enzyme were determined to be 85 degrees C and pH 6.5, respectively. However, the enzyme was active across a broad pH range, with over 50% activity between pH 5.5 and 9.5. XynA was shown to be a true endo-acting xylanase, being capable of hydrolyzing xylan to xylotriose and xylobiose, but it could not hydrolyze xylobiose to monomeric xylose. XynA was also shown to hydrolyze xylan present in Pinus radiata kraft pulp, indicating that it may be of use as an aid in pulp bleaching. The equivalent xylanase gene was also isolated from the related bacterium Dictyoglomus thermophilum, and DNA sequencing showed these genes to be identical, which, together with the 16S small-subunit rRNA gene sequencing data, indicates that Rt46B.1 and D. thermophilum are very closely related.     

里氏木霉GXC木聚糖酶的研究

研究了里氏木霉GXC产木聚糖酶的条件和酶学性质。结果表明,适宜产酶碳源为乳糖、甘露糖、棉子糖、木聚糖和麸皮,氮源为牛肉膏和酵母膏;产酶的最适初始pH为4.0,30℃培养60h。对以麸皮为碳源的培养液进行纯化的酶特性研究表明,木聚糖酶的最适反应温度为50℃,pH为5.5,该酶在pH5.0(7.0和40℃以下相对稳定。Fe3+和Mn2+对木聚糖酶有较大的促进作用,Cu～2+、Fe～2+和Ca～2+ 具有抑制作用。     

乳糖对产木聚糖酶基因工程菌1020的诱导作用及碳氮源优化

研究了国产及进口LB培养基对产嗜热性木聚糖酶基因工程菌1020生长及产酶的影响,并以国产原料为基准,优化了培养基。结果表明,国产的酵母膏及蛋白胨和进口原料相比,缺少某些成分,单纯增加用量不能弥补这种差别;乳糖可以代替昂贵的IPTG起到有效的诱导作用;10g·L-1的乳糖可兼起能源及诱导剂的双重效果,菌的生物量和产酶量达到最佳;发酵8h后补加5g·L-1乳糖,生物量及酶活皆有提高。复合氮源优于单一的无机或有机氮源。优化后的酶活从进口LB培养基的270U～290U提高到1700U～1800U。     

棉花黄萎病真菌Verticillium dahliae木聚糖酶基因的克隆、表达和酶学性质分析

[目的]从棉花黄萎病真菌Verticillium dahliae中克隆木聚糖酶基因,并在毕赤酵母中进行异源表达,研究酶学性质.[方法]通过多序列比对设计简并引物,扩增出真菌V. dahliae木聚糖酶基因片段,再采用基因组步行PCR技术获得全长木聚糖酶基因序列.经BLAST比对并结合GT-AG原则分析,该基因含有一个大小为63 bp的内含子,利用DpnI介导的缺失方法对含内含子的全长木聚糖酶基因进行剪接,获得该基因的全长cDNA.将克隆到的cDNA在毕赤酵母GS115进行了表达,重组酶经纯化后进行酶学性质分析.[结果]BLAST比对显示,该cDNA推测的氨基酸序列和已知木聚糖酶的最高一致性为72%.测得该酶最适反应温度为45℃,最适反应pH值为6,在pH5-9维持50%以上的活性,对山毛榉材木聚糖具有最好的水解效果.Mg2 和Ca2 对酶有激活作用,分别提高了33.7%和16.6%,EDTA,β-巯基乙醇和NaN3对酶的活性基本没有影响,Tween-80和DMSO使酶活性提高了28.4%和12.8%.[结论]本文从引起棉花黄萎病的真菌V. dahliae中克隆到的木聚糖酶基因是在GenBank上登录的第一个来自棉花黄萎病真菌的木聚糖酶基因序列.本文所用的克隆方法可以高效的从植物病原真菌和白腐真菌克隆只含一个内含子的11家族的新木聚糖酶基因,避免了摸索原始菌株酶表达诱导条件,检测酶的活性等繁琐的操作.酶学性质分析显示该酶在低聚木糖的制备,面包改良上有潜在的应用价值.     

Preliminary research on bamboo degumming with xylanase

The extraction of fibres from bamboo culm during the degumming process was performed with commercial xylanase. It is found that a combination of mild chemical pretreatment and enzymatic treatment is essential to achieve a high level of degumming, and better fibre separation. FTIR analysis of substances removed by enzyme treatment indicated that xylanase played an active role in the removal of non-cellulosic substances. Scanning electron microscopy revealed a relatively complete removal of gummy material from the surface of treated bamboo slices. On the basis of this investigation, it is suggested that the combination of mild chemical and enzymatic treatment is a promising method for bamboo degumming.     

Delignification of wood pulp by a thermostable xylanase from Bacillus stearothermophilus strain T-6

During the bleaching of wood pulp for the paper industry, large amounts of chlorinated aromatic compounds are produced and released into the environment. These compounds are extremely toxic and are a major source of pollution. The paper and pulp industry is seeking for alternative methods for bleaching pulp. One such method involves the use of hemicellulases to release the colored lignohemicellulose. We have isolated and characterized several thermophilic bacteria which produce xylanases. One such strain, T-6, produced high levels of extracellular xylanase, free of cellulase and proteinase activities. Strain T-6 was classified as a strain of Bacillus stearothermophilus and was able to grow on defined medium containing xylose, methionine and asparagine at 65 °C. Xylanase activity was induced by either xylose or xylan; no activity was detected with other carbon sources, such as glycerol, acetate, lactose, glucose, maltose, fructose, mannose, galactose or sucrose. Xylanase constitutive mutants were obtained following mutagenesis and detection on p-nitrophenol -d-xylopyranoside containing agar plates. Xylanase T-6 was produced on large scale, and was purified and concentrated by a single adsorption-desorption step from a cation exchanger. The overall purification yield of a 1000 liter fermentation was 45%, resulting in a 98% pure enzyme. Xylanase T-6 was shown to partially remove lignin from unbleached pulp at 65 °C and pH 9.0, without loss in pulp viscosity. The enzyme-treated pulp was used to make handsheets that had higher brightness than untreated pulp.     

Plant seed oil-bodies as an immobilization matrix for a recombinant xylanase from the rumen fungus Neocallimastix patriciarum

Canola seed oil-bodies were investigated as a production vehicle and immobilization matrix for xylanases. A recombinant xynC gene from Neocallimastix patriciarum encoding a xylanase (XynC) was fused to an oleosin coding sequence suitable for targeting the xylanase to the oil-body membrane. This fusion gene was introduced into Brassica napus using Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Transgenic Canola plants were obtained expressing xylanase which was targeted to the oil-bodies of seeds as shown by analysis with XynC-specific antibodies. Oil-bodies extracted from transgenic seeds exhibited xylanase activity, indicating the immobilization of XynC on the surface of oil bodies and the functioning of the xylanase as a fusion protein. The immobilized XynC retained its optimal temperature, K_m value and specificity. However, it exhibited reduced sensitivity to pH. Furthermore, it was shown that the enzyme immobilized on oil-bodies could be recycled by flotation several times without loss of activity.