Endo/exo-synergism of cellulases increases with substrate conversion

Synergy between processive cellulases in Ruminoccocus albus

Endoglucanases (EGs), cellobiohydrolases (CBHs), and β-glucosidases are essential components in enzymatic degradation of cellulose. We analyzed the glycosyl hydrolases from families GH5 and GH48 from Ruminococcus albus 8 (RalCel5G and RalCel48A). Both enzymes feature a catalytic motif and a carbohydrate binding domain from family 37 (CBM37). RalCel5G also exhibited a second CBM37 with lower similarity. As a result, RalCel5G showed higher binding affinity toward insoluble substrates and broader recognition capacity. Kinetic characterization using different cellulosic substrates and reaction product analysis confirmed RalCel5G as a processive EG while RalCel48A is a CBH. Interestingly, we found a synergistic effect on their activity at a low EG to CBH ratio, despite the processive activity of RalCel5G. Furthermore, the lignocellulose degradation capacity was improved by supplementing the cellulases with hemicellulase RalXyn10A. These results provide valuable information about the interaction between processive EG and conventional CBH, necessary for the rational design of enzyme cocktails for optimized biomass processing.

Impact of Synergy Partner Cel7B on Cel7A Binding Rates: Insights from Single-Molecule Data

Enzymatic degradation of cellulosic biomass is a well-established route for the sustainable production of biofuels, chemicals, and materials. A strategy employed by nature and industry to achieve an efficient degradation of cellulose is that cellobiohydrolases (or exocellulases), such as Cel7A, work synergistically with endoglucanases, such as Cel7B, to achieve the complete degradation of cellulose. However, a complete mechanistic understanding of this exo-endo synergy is still lacking. Here, we used single-molecule fluorescence microscopy to quantify the binding kinetics of Cel7A on cellulose when it is acting alone on the cellulose fibrils and in the presence of its synergy partner, the endoglucanase Cel7B. To this end, we used a fluorescently tagged Cel7A and studied its binding in the presence of the unlabeled Cel7B. This provided the single-molecule data necessary for the estimation of the rate constants of association kON and dissociation kOFF of Cel7A for the substrate. We show that the presence of Cel7B does not impact the dissociation rate constant, kOFF. But, the association rate of Cel7A decreases by a factor of 2 when Cel7B is present at a molar proportion of 10:1. This ratio has previously been shown to lead to synergy. This decrease in association rate is observed in a wide range of total enzyme concentrations, from sub nM to μM concentrations. This decrease in kON is consistent with the formation of cellulase clusters recently observed by others using atomic force microscopy.

Three alginate lyases provide a new gut Bacteroides ovatus isolate with the ability to grow on alginate

Humans consume alginate in the form of seaweed, food hydrocolloids, and encapsulations, making the digestion of this mannuronic acid (M) and guluronic acid (G) polymer of key interest for human health. To increase knowledge on alginate degradation in the gut, a gene catalog from human feces was mined for potential alginate lyases (ALs). The predicted ALs were present in nine species of the Bacteroidetes phylum, of which two required supplementation of an endo-acting AL, expected to mimic cross-feeding in the gut. However, only a new isolate grew on alginate. Whole-genome sequencing of this alginate-utilizing isolate suggested that it is a new Bacteroides ovatus strain harboring a polysaccharide utilization locus (PUL) containing three ALs of families: PL6, PL17, and PL38. The BoPL6 degraded polyG to oligosaccharides of DP 1-3, and BoPL17 released 4,5-unsaturated monouronate from polyM. BoPL38 degraded both alginates, polyM, polyG, and polyMG, in endo-mode; hence, it was assumed to deliver oligosaccharide substrates for BoPL6 and BoPL17, corresponding well with synergistic action on alginate. BoPL17 and BoPL38 crystal structures, determined at 1.61 and 2.11 Å, respectively, showed (α/α)6-barrel + anti-parallel β-sheet and (α/α)7-barrel folds, distinctive for these PL families. BoPL17 had a more open active site than the two homologous structures. BoPL38 was very similar to the structure of an uncharacterized PL38, albeit with a different triad of residues possibly interacting with substrate in the presumed active site tunnel. Altogether, the study provides unique functional and structural insights into alginate-degrading lyases of a PUL in a human gut bacterium.IMPORTANCEHuman ingestion of sustainable biopolymers calls for insight into their utilization in our gut. Seaweed is one such resource with alginate, a major cell wall component, used as a food hydrocolloid and for encapsulation of pharmaceuticals and probiotics. Knowledge is sparse on the molecular basis for alginate utilization in the gut. We identified a new Bacteroides ovatus strain from human feces that grew on alginate and encoded three alginate lyases in a gene cluster. BoPL6 and BoPL17 show complementary specificity toward guluronate (G) and mannuronate (M) residues, releasing unsaturated oligosaccharides and monouronic acids. BoPL38 produces oligosaccharides degraded by BoPL6 and BoPL17 from both alginates, G-, M-, and MG-substrates. Enzymatic and structural characterization discloses the mode of action and synergistic degradation of alginate by these alginate lyases. Other bacteria were cross-feeding on alginate oligosaccharides produced by an endo-acting alginate lyase. Hence, there is an interdependent community in our guts that can utilize alginate.

Enzyme Synergy in Transient Clusters of Endo- and Exocellulase Enables a Multilayer Mode of Processive Depolymerization of Cellulose

Biological degradation of cellulosic materials relies on the molecular-mechanistic principle that internally chain-cleaving endocellulases work synergistically with chain end-cleaving exocellulases in polysaccharide chain depolymerization. How endo-exo synergy becomes effective in the deconstruction of a solid substrate that presents cellulose chains assembled into crystalline material is an open question of the mechanism, with immediate implications on the bioconversion efficiency of cellulases. Here, based on single-molecule evidence from real-time atomic force microscopy, we discover that endo- and exocellulases engage in the formation of transient clusters of typically three to four enzymes at the cellulose surface. The clusters form specifically at regular domains of crystalline cellulose microfibrils that feature molecular defects in the polysaccharide chain organization. The dynamics of cluster formation correlates with substrate degradation through a multilayer-processive mode of chain depolymerization, overall leading to the directed ablation of single microfibrils from the cellulose surface. Each multilayer-processive step involves the spatiotemporally coordinated and mechanistically concerted activity of the endo- and exocellulases in close proximity. Mechanistically, the cooperativity with the endocellulase enables the exocellulase to pass through its processive cycles ∼100-fold faster than when acting alone. Our results suggest an advanced paradigm of efficient multienzymatic degradation of structurally organized polymer materials by endo-exo synergetic chain depolymerization.

Glycosyl hydrolases family 5, subfamily 5: Relevance and structural insights for designing improved biomass degrading cocktails

Endoglucanases are carbohydrate-degrading enzymes widely used for bioethanol production as part of the enzymatic cocktail. However, family 5 subfamily 5 (GH5_5) endoglucanases are still poorly explored in depth. The Trichoderma reesei representative is the most studied enzyme, presenting catalytic activity in acidic media and mild temperature conditions. Though biochemically similar, its modular structure and synergy with other components vary greatly compared to other GH5_5 members and there is still a lack of specific studies regarding their interaction with other cellulases and application on novel and better mixtures. In this regard, the threedimensional structure elucidation is a highly valuable tool to both uncover basic catalytic mechanisms and implement engineering techniques, proved by the high success rate GH5_5 endoglucanases show. GH5_5 enzymes must be carefully evaluated to fully uncover their potential in biomass-degrading cocktails: the optimal industrial conditions, synergy with other cellulases, structural studies, and enzyme engineering approaches. We aimed to provide the current understanding of these main topics, collecting all available information about characterized GH5_5 endoglucanases function, structure, and bench experiments, in order to suggest future directions to a better application of these enzymes in the industry.

Specificities and Synergistic Actions of Novel PL8 and PL7 Alginate Lyases from the Marine Fungus Paradendryphiella salina

Alginate is an anionic polysaccharide abundantly present in the cell walls of brown macroalgae. The enzymatic depolymerization is performed solely by alginate lyases (EC 4.2.2.x), categorized as polysaccharide lyases (PLs) belonging to 12 different PL families. Until now, the vast majority of the alginate lyases have been found in bacteria. We report here the first extensive characterization of four alginate lyases from a marine fungus, the ascomycete Paradendryphiella salina, a known saprophyte of seaweeds. We have identified four polysaccharide lyase encoding genes bioinformatically in P. salina, one PL8 (PsMan8A), and three PL7 alginate lyases (PsAlg7A, -B, and -C). PsMan8A was demonstrated to exert exo-action on polymannuronic acid, and no action on alginate, indicating that this enzyme is most likely an exo-acting polymannuronic acid specific lyase. This enzyme is the first alginate lyase assigned to PL8 and polymannuronic acid thus represents a new substrate specificity in this family. The PL7 lyases (PsAlg7A, -B, and -C) were found to be endo-acting alginate lyases with different activity optima, substrate affinities, and product profiles. PsAlg7A and PsMan8A showed a clear synergistic action for the complete depolymerization of polyM at pH 5. PsAlg7A depolymerized polyM to mainly DP5 and DP3 oligomers and PsMan8A to dimers and monosaccharides. PsAlg7B and PsAlg7C showed substrate affinities towards both polyM and polyG at pH 8, depolymerizing both substrates to DP9-DP2 oligomers. The findings elucidate how P. salina accomplishes alginate depolymerization and provide insight into an efficient synergistic cooperation that may provide a new foundation for enzyme selection for alginate degradation in seaweed bioprocessing.

Enzymatic processing of lignocellulosic biomass: principles, recent advances and perspectives

Efficient saccharification of lignocellulosic biomass requires concerted development of a pretreatment method, an enzyme cocktail and an enzymatic process, all of which are adapted to the feedstock. Recent years have shown great progress in most aspects of the overall process. In particular, increased insights into the contributions of a wide variety of cellulolytic and hemicellulolytic enzymes have improved the enzymatic processing step and brought down costs. Here, we review major pretreatment technologies and different enzyme process setups and present an in-depth discussion of the various enzyme types that are currently in use. We pay ample attention to the role of the recently discovered lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs), which have led to renewed interest in the role of redox enzyme systems in lignocellulose processing. Better understanding of the interplay between the various enzyme types, as they may occur in a commercial enzyme cocktail, is likely key to further process improvements.

Rozhkova A, N. Zorov I, Korotkova O, P. Sinitsyn A, Schwaneberg U, D. Davari M. Engineering Robust Cellulases for Tailored Lignocellulosic Degradation Cocktails

Lignocellulosic biomass is a most promising feedstock in the production of second-generation biofuels. Efficient degradation of lignocellulosic biomass requires a synergistic action of several cellulases and hemicellulases. Cellulases depolymerize cellulose, the main polymer of the lignocellulosic biomass, to its building blocks. The production of cellulase cocktails has been widely explored, however, there are still some main challenges that enzymes need to overcome in order to develop a sustainable production of bioethanol. The main challenges include low activity, product inhibition, and the need to perform fine-tuning of a cellulase cocktail for each type of biomass. Protein engineering and directed evolution are powerful technologies to improve enzyme properties such as increased activity, decreased product inhibition, increased thermal stability, improved performance in non-conventional media, and pH stability, which will lead to a production of more efficient cocktails. In this review, we focus on recent advances in cellulase cocktail production, its current challenges, protein engineering as an efficient strategy to engineer cellulases, and our view on future prospects in the generation of tailored cellulases for biofuel production.

A new synergistic relationship between xylan-active LPMO and xylobiohydrolase to tackle recalcitrant xylan

BACKGROUND

Hemicellulose accounts for a significant part of plant biomass, and still poses a barrier to the efficient saccharification of lignocellulose. The recalcitrant part of hemicellulose is a serious impediment to the action of cellulases, despite the use of xylanases in the cellulolytic cocktail mixtures. However, the complexity and variety of hemicelluloses in different plant materials require the use of highly specific enzymes for a complete breakdown. Over the last few years, new fungal enzymes with novel activities on hemicelluloses have emerged. In the present study, we explored the synergistic relationships of the xylan-active AA14 lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase (LPMO), PcAA14B, with the recently discovered glucuronoxylan-specific xylanase TtXyn30A, of the (sub)family GH30_7, displaying xylobiohydrolase activity, and with commercial cellobiohydrolases, on pretreated natural lignocellulosic substrates.

RESULTS

PcAA14B and TtXyn30A showed a strong synergistic interaction on the degradation of the recalcitrant part of xylan. PcAA14B was able to increase the release of xylobiose from TtXyn30A, showing a degree of synergism (DS) of 3.8 on birchwood cellulosic fibers, and up to 5.7 on pretreated beechwood substrates. The increase in activity was dose- and time- dependent. A screening study on beechwood materials pretreated with different methods showed that the effect of the PcAA14B-TtXyn30A synergism was more prominent on substrates with low hemicellulose content, indicating that PcAA14B is mainly active on the recalcitrant part of xylan, which is in close proximity to the underlying cellulose fibers. Simultaneous addition of both enzymes resulted in higher DS than sequential addition. Moreover, PcAA14B was found to enhance cellobiose release from cellobiohydrolases during hydrolysis of pretreated lignocellulosic substrates, as well as microcrystalline cellulose.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the present study revealed a new synergistic relationship not only among two recently discovered xylan-active enzymes, the LPMO PcAA14B, and the GH30_7 glucuronoxylan-active xylobiohydrolase TtXyn30A, but also among PcAA14B and cellobiohydrolases. We hypothesize that PcAA14B creates free ends in the xylan polymer, which can be used as targets for the action of TtXyn30A. The results are of special importance for the design of next-generation enzymatic cocktails, able to efficiently remove hemicelluloses, allowing complete saccharification of cellulose in plant biomass.

The adsorption properties of endoglucanase to lignin and their impact on hydrolysis

Nonproductive adsorption of cellulase to lignin dramatically influenced the hydrolysis efficiency of lignocellulose. By comparing the adsorption behaviors of CBH and EG, we found that the adsorption of EG to lignin showed lower adsorption velocity and capacity versus CBH. During the adsorption of EG to lignin, carbohydrate binding domain (CBM) and catalytic domain (CD) both played an important role by a two-step adsorption process, in which CD slowly bond on lignin and developed stronger interaction with lignin. The optimal binding position of EG on lignin was consistent with that on polysaccharide located in the open catalytic tunnel. So, the adsorption of EG to lignin not only limited the movement of enzyme, but also restricted the catalytic ability of enzyme, which dramatically influenced enzymatic hydrolysis. Increasing the proportion of EG in cellulase cocktails or engineering "weak lignin adsorbed" EG was necessary to relieve the influence of lignin adsorption on hydrolysis.

Binding and hydrolysis properties of engineered cellobiohydrolases and endoglucanases

Because cellulase was the main enzyme used in bioconversion of lignocellulose, it was a valid way to reduce the hydrolysis cost by increasing the adsorption and hydrolysis efficiency of cellulase. In this study, modified cellobiohydrolases (CBHs) and endoglucanases (EGs) were constructed. Two engineered cellulases CBH-TrCBM^{V27E,P30D,Link1} and EG-TrCBM^{V27E,P30D,Link1} well-performed during hydrolysis. Compared to wild-type enzymes, EG-TrCBM^{V27E,P30D,Link1} had relatively less adsorption ability to lignin and greater affinity to cellulose, especially Avicel. However, for CBH-TrCBM^{V27E,P30D,Link1}, the hydrolysis manner was changed and in favor to hydrolysis process, although the adsorption properties were unexpected. It suggested that various binding conformations of polysaccharide on CBMs hypothetically resulted in different functions of CBMs, including binding ability, processive and digestive properties on fiber surface. Fusion of T. r-CBM^{V27E,P30D,Link1} to cellulase, both CBH and EG, gave the destruction ability of enzyme and increased the accessible surface of substrate to cellulase, enhanced the adsorption and hydrolysis efficiency of cellulase.