Beta-xylosidase activity of a GH3 glucosidase/xylosidase from yak rumen metagenome promotes the enzymatic degradation of hemicellulosic xylans

Aims: To characterize the duel activities of a glycosyl hydrolase family 3 β‐glucosidase/xylosidase from rumen bacterial metagenome and to investigate the capabilities of its β‐d ‐xylosidase activities for saccharification of hemicellulosic xylans. Methods and Results: A β‐glucosidase/xylosidase gene RuBGX1 was cloned from yak (Bos grunniens) rumen using the metagenomic technology. Recombinant RuBGX1, expressed in Escherichia coli, demonstrated high hydrolytic activities on both p‐nitrophenyl‐β‐d ‐glucopyranoside (pNP‐Glc) and p‐nitrophenyl‐β‐d ‐xylopyranoside (pNP‐Xyl) substrates. Analysis of the kinetic properties indicated that RuBGX1 had a lower affinity for pNP‐Glc substrate as the K_m was 0·164 mmol l^?1 for pNP‐Glc and 0·03 mmol l^?1 for pNP‐Xyl at pH 6·0 and 50°C, respectively. The capabilities of RuBGX1 β‐xylosidase for hydrolysis of xylooligosaccharide substrates were further investigated using an endoxylanase‐coupled assay. Hydrolysis time courses illustrated that a significant increase (about 50%) in the reducing sugars, including xylobiose, xylotriose and xylotetraose, was achieved by supplementing endoxylanase with RuBGX1. Enzymatic product analysis using high‐performance anion‐exchange chromatography‐pulsed amperometric detection showed that RuBGX1 could release xyloses from intermediate xylooligosaccharides produced by endoxylanase. Conclusions: The RuBGX1 shows β‐glucosidase activity in hydrolysis of cello‐oligosaccharides; meanwhile, it has β‐xylosidase activity and functions synergistically with endoxylanase to promote the degradation of hemicellulosic xylans. Significance and Impact of the study: This was the first to report the β‐xylosidase activity of family 3 β‐glucosidase/xylosidase functioned in the degradation of hemicellulosic xylans. The bifunctional β‐glucosidase/xylosidase property of RuBGX1 can be used in simultaneous saccharification of cellulose and xylan into fermentable glucose and xylose.