Trichoderma reesei alpha-1,2-mannosidase: structural basis for the cleavage of four consecutive mannose residues

Constructing a human complex type N-linked glycosylation pathway in Kluyveromyces marxianus

Glycosylation can affect various protein properties such as stability, biological activity, and immunogenicity. To produce human therapeutic proteins, a host that can produce glycoproteins with correct glycan structures is required. Microbial expression systems offer economical, rapid and serum-free production and are more amenable to genetic manipulation. In this study, we developed a protocol for CRISPR/Cas9 multiple gene knockouts and knockins in Kluyveromyces marxianus, a probiotic yeast with a rapid growth rate. As hyper-mannosylation is a common problem in yeast, we first knocked out the α-1,3-mannosyltransferase (ALG3) and α-1,6-mannosyltransferase (OCH1) genes to reduce mannosylation. We also knocked out the subunit of the telomeric Ku domain (KU70) to increase the homologous recombination efficiency of K. marxianus. In addition, we knocked in the MdsI (α-1,2-mannosidase) gene to reduce mannosylation and the GnTI (β-1,2-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase I) and GnTII genes to produce human N-glycan structures. We finally obtained two strains that can produce low amounts of the core N-glycan Man₃GlcNAc₂ and the human complex N-glycan Man₃GlcNAc₄, where Man is mannose and GlcNAc is N-acetylglucosamine. This study lays a cornerstone of glycosylation engineering in K. marxianus toward producing human glycoproteins.

RNA Sequencing Reveals Xyr1 as a Transcription Factor Regulating Gene Expression beyond Carbohydrate Metabolism

Xyr1 has been demonstrated to be the main transcription activator of (hemi)cellulases in the well-known cellulase producer Trichoderma reesei. This study comprehensively investigates the genes regulated by Xyr1 through RNA sequencing to produce the transcription profiles of T. reesei Rut-C30 and its xyr1 deletion mutant (Δxyr1), cultured on lignocellulose or glucose. xyr1 deletion resulted in 467 differentially expressed genes on inducing medium. Almost all functional genes involved in (hemi)cellulose degradation and many transporters belonging to the sugar porter family in the major facilitator superfamily (MFS) were downregulated in Δxyr1. By contrast, all differentially expressed protease, lipase, chitinase, some ATP-binding cassette transporters, and heat shock protein-encoding genes were upregulated in Δxyr1. When cultured on glucose, a total of 281 genes were expressed differentially in Δxyr1, most of which were involved in energy, solute transport, lipid, amino acid, and monosaccharide as well as secondary metabolism. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays confirmed that the intracellular β-glucosidase bgl2, the putative nonenzymatic cellulose-attacking gene cip1, the MFS lactose transporter lp, the nmrA-like gene, endo T, the acid protease pepA, and the small heat shock protein hsp23 were probable Xyr1-targets. These results might help elucidate the regulation system for synthesis and secretion of (hemi)cellulases in T. reesei Rut-C30.

Substrate recognition and catalysis by GH47 α-mannosidases involved in Asn-linked glycan maturation in the mammalian secretory pathway

Maturation of Asn-linked oligosaccharides in the eukaryotic secretory pathway requires the trimming of nascent glycan chains to remove all glucose and several mannose residues before extension into complex-type structures on the cell surface and secreted glycoproteins. Multiple glycoside hydrolase family 47 (GH47) α-mannosidases, including endoplasmic reticulum (ER) α-mannosidase I (ERManI) and Golgi α-mannosidase IA (GMIA), are responsible for cleavage of terminal α1,2-linked mannose residues to produce uniquely trimmed oligomannose isomers that are necessary for ER glycoprotein quality control and glycan maturation. ERManI and GMIA have similar catalytic domain structures, but each enzyme cleaves distinct residues from tribranched oligomannose glycan substrates. The structural basis for branch-specific cleavage by ERManI and GMIA was explored by replacing an essential enzyme-bound Ca²⁺ ion with a lanthanum (La³⁺) ion. This ion swap led to enzyme inactivation while retaining high-affinity substrate interactions. Cocrystallization of La³⁺-bound enzymes with Man₉GlcNAc₂ substrate analogs revealed enzyme-substrate complexes with distinct modes of glycan branch insertion into the respective enzyme active-site clefts. Both enzymes had glycan interactions that extended across the entire glycan structure, but each enzyme engaged a different glycan branch and used different sets of glycan interactions. Additional mutagenesis and time-course studies of glycan cleavage probed the structural basis of enzyme specificity. The results provide insights into the enzyme catalytic mechanisms and reveal structural snapshots of the sequential glycan cleavage events. The data also indicate that full steric access to glycan substrates determines the efficiency of mannose-trimming reactions that control the conversion to complex-type structures in mammalian cells.

Glycosylation of Cellulases: Engineering Better Enzymes for Biofuels

Cellulose in plant cell walls is the largest reservoir of renewable carbon on Earth. The saccharification of cellulose from plant biomass into soluble sugars can be achieved using fungal and bacterial cellulolytic enzymes, cellulases, and further converted into fuels and chemicals. Most fungal cellulases are both N- and O-glycosylated in their native form, yet the consequences of glycosylation on activity and structure are not fully understood. Studying protein glycosylation is challenging as glycans are extremely heterogeneous, stereochemically complex, and glycosylation is not under direct genetic control. Despite these limitations, many studies have begun to unveil the role of cellulase glycosylation, especially in the industrially relevant cellobiohydrolase from Trichoderma reesei, Cel7A. Glycosylation confers many beneficial properties to cellulases including enhanced activity, thermal and proteolytic stability, and structural stabilization. However, glycosylation must be controlled carefully as such positive effects can be dampened or reversed. Encouragingly, methods for the manipulation of glycan structures have been recently reported that employ genetic tuning of glycan-active enzymes expressed from homogeneous and heterologous fungal hosts. Taken together, these studies have enabled new strategies for the exploitation of protein glycosylation for the production of enhanced cellulases for biofuel production.

Improved expression and characterization of recombinant human Golgi α1,2-mannosidase I isoforms (IA2 and IC) by Escherichia coli

Golgi α1,2-mannosidase I is involved in the N-linked oligosaccharide processing pathway. In this study, two truncated genes encoding for human Golgi α1,2-mannosidase I (hManIA2: amino acids 127-626 and hManIC: amino acids 118-617) were expressed in Escherichia coli to characterize the enzymes. These genes were fused to a T7 protein tag and a histidine tag at the N- and C-terminal ends, respectively, and purified using Co(2+) affinity chromatography. The properties including optimal temperature, optimal pH, and substrate specificity of the purified enzymes were investigated by HPLC using pyridylamino (PA)-labeled oligosaccharides as substrates. The stability of hManIA2 was dependent on the presence of Ca(2+), which was also required for its activity. On the other hand, hManIC was stable in the absence of Ca(2+), even though Ca(2+) was also effective for the activity of hManIC. While the similarity of the amino acid sequences is over 60%, hManIA2 and hManIC showed different substrate specificities particularly toward M9A and M8C.

Structural biology of pectin degradation by Enterobacteriaceae

SUMMARY

Pectin is a structural polysaccharide that is integral for the stability of plant cell walls. During soft rot infection, secreted virulence factors from pectinolytic bacteria such as Erwinia spp. degrade pectin, resulting in characteristic plant cell necrosis and tissue maceration. Catabolism of pectin and its breakdown products by pectinolytic bacteria occurs within distinct cellular environments. This process initiates outside the cell, continues within the periplasmic space, and culminates in the cytoplasm. Although pectin utilization is well understood at the genetic and biochemical levels, an inclusive structural description of pectinases and pectin binding proteins by both extracellular and periplasmic enzymes has been lacking, especially following the recent characterization of several periplasmic components and protein-oligogalacturonide complexes. Here we provide a comprehensive analysis of the protein folds and mechanisms of pectate lyases, polygalacturonases, and carbohydrate esterases and the binding specificities of two periplasmic pectic binding proteins from Enterobacteriaceae. This review provides a structural understanding of the molecular determinants of pectin utilization and the mechanisms driving catabolite selectivity and flow through the pathway.

The crystal structure of pectate lyase peli from soft rot pathogen Erwinia chrysanthemi in complex with its substrate

The crystallographic structure of the family 3 polysaccharide lyase (PL-3) PelI from Erwinia chrysanthemi has been solved to 1.45 A resolution. It consists of an N-terminal domain harboring a fibronectin type III fold linked to a catalytic domain displaying a parallel beta-helix topology. The N-terminal domain is located away from the active site and is not involved in the catalytic process. After secretion in planta, the two domains are separated by E. chrysanthemi proteases. This event turns on the hypersensitive response of the host. The structure of the single catalytic domain determined to 2.1 A resolution shows that the domain separation unveils a "Velcro"-like motif of asparagines, which might be recognized by a plant receptor. The structure of PelI in complex with its substrate, a tetragalacturonate, has been solved to 2.3 A resolution. The sugar binds from subsites -2 to +2 in one monomer of the asymmetric unit, although it lies on subsites -1 to +3 in the other. These two "Michaelis complexes" have never been observed simultaneously before and are consistent with the dual mode of bond cleavage in this substrate. The bound sugar adopts a mixed 2(1) and 3(1) helical conformation similar to that reported in inactive mutants from families PL-1 and PL-10. However, our study suggests that the catalytic base in PelI is not a conventional arginine but a lysine as proposed in family PL-9.

Modulation of activity by Arg407: structure of a fungal alpha-1,2-mannosidase in complex with a substrate analogue

Class I alpha-mannosidases (glycoside hydrolase family GH47) play key roles in the maturation of N-glycans and the ER-associated degradation of unfolded glycoproteins. The 1.95 A resolution structure of a fungal alpha-1,2-mannosidase in complex with the substrate analogue methyl-alpha-D-lyxopyranosyl-(1',2)-alpha-D-mannopyranoside (LM) shows the intact disaccharide spanning the -1/+1 subsites, with the D-lyxoside ring in the -1 subsite in the 1C4 chair conformation, and provides insight into the mechanism of catalysis. The absence of the C5' hydroxymethyl group on the D-lyxoside moiety results in the side chain of Arg407 adopting two alternative conformations: the minor one interacting with Asp375 and the major one interacting with both the D-lyxoside and the catalytic base Glu409, thus disrupting its function. Chemical modification of Asp375 has previously been shown to inactivate the enzyme. Taken together, the data suggest that Arg407, which belongs to the conserved sequence motif RPExxE, may act to modulate the activity of the enzyme. The proposed mechanism for modulating the activity is potentially a general mechanism for this superfamily.

A family 2 pectate lyase displays a rare fold and transition metal-assisted beta-elimination

The family 2 pectate lyase from Yersinia enterocolitica (YePL2A), solved to 1.5A, reveals it to be the first prokaryotic protein reported to display the rare (alpha/alpha)(7) barrel fold. In addition to its apo form, we have also determined the structure of a metal-bound form of YePL2A (to 2.0A) and a trigalacturonic acid-bound substrate complex (to 2.1A) Although its fold is rare, the catalytic center of YePL2A can be superimposed with structurally unrelated families, underlining the conserved catalytic amino acid architecture of the beta-elimination mechanism. In addition to its overall structure, YePL2A also has two other unique features: 1) it utilizes a metal atom other than calcium for catalysis, and 2) its Brønstead base is in an alternate conformation and directly interacts with the uronate group of the substrate.

Molecular cloning and expression of a cDNA encoding a Coccidioides posadasii 1,2-alpha-mannosidase identified in the coccidioidal T27K vaccine by immunoproteomic methods

The coccidioidal T27K vaccine is protective in mice against respiratory challenge with Coccidioides posadasii (C. posadasii) arthroconidia. The vaccine is a subcellular multicomponent preparation that has not been fully characterized. To identify potential protective antigens in the heterogeneous mixture, the vaccine has been separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and then analyzed for seroreactive proteins using immunoblot analysis with pooled sera from patients with coccidioidomycosis. Two seroreactive spots of identical apparent molecular weight were identified and sequenced using tandem mass spectrometry. Three peptides were generated, two of which matched a tentative consensus sequence in the TIGR C. posadasii 2.0 gene index database that is similar to fungal 1,2-alpha-mannosidases. The 5' and 3' ends of the mannosidase cDNA were mapped using rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and a full-length cDNA was then obtained using reverse-transcription (RT) PCR. The cDNA was cloned and sequenced and expressed as a recombinant protein. The predicted protein consists of 519 amino acids, has a theoretical molecular weight and pI of 56,918 Da and 4.84, respectively, and is very similar (>60%) to other fungal 1,2-alpha-mannosidases. Class I 1,2-alpha-mannosidase enzyme activity was also detected in the T27K vaccine using the substrate, Man-alpha-1,2-Man-alpha-OCH(3) in a spectrophotometric assay.

The Central Cavity from the (Alpha/Alpha)6 Barrel Structure of Anabaena sp. CH1 N-Acetyl-d-glucosamine 2-Epimerase Contains Two Key Histidine Residues for Reversible Conversion

N-acetyl-D-glucosamine 2-epimerase (GlcNAc 2-epimerase) catalyzes the reversible epimerization between N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (GlcNAc) and N-acetyl-D-mannosamine (ManNAc). We report here the 2.0 A resolution crystal structure of the GlcNAc 2-epimerase from Anabaena sp. CH1. The structure demonstrates an (alpha/alpha)(6) barrel fold, which shows structural homology with porcine GlcNAc 2-epimerase as well as a number of glycoside hydrolase enzymes and other sugar-metabolizing enzymes. One side of the barrel structure consists of short loops involved in dimer interactions. The other side of the barrel structure is comprised of long loops containing six short beta-sheets, which enclose a putative central active-site pocket. Site-directed mutagenesis of conserved residues near the N-terminal region of the inner alpha helices shows that R57, H239, E308, and H372 are strictly required for activity. E242 and R375 are also essential in catalysis. Based on the structure and kinetic analysis, H239 and H372 may serve as the key active site acid/base catalysts. These results suggest that the (alpha/alpha)(6) barrel represents a steady fold for presenting active-site residues in a cleft at the N-terminal ends of the inner alpha helices, thus forming a fine-tuned catalytic site in GlcNAc 2-epimerase.

The fate of β-d-mannopyranose after its formation by endoplasmic reticulum α-(1→2)-mannosidase I catalysis

The automated docking program AutoDock was used to dock all 38 characteristic beta-D-mannopyranose ring conformers into the active site of the yeast endoplasmic reticulum alpha-(1-->2)-mannosidase I, a Family 47 glycoside hydrolase that converts Man9GlcNAc2 to Man8GlcNAc2. The subject of this work is to establish the conformational pathway that allows the cleaved glycon product to leave the enzyme active site and eventually reach the ground-state conformation. Twelve of the 38 conformers optimally dock in the active site where the inhibitors 1-deoxymannonojirimycin and kifunensine are found in enzyme crystal structures. A further 23 optimally dock in a second site on the side of the active-site well, while three dock outside the active-site cavity. It appears, through analysis of the internal energies of different ring conformations, of intermolecular energies between the ligands and enzyme, and of forces exerted on the ligands by the enzyme, that beta-D-mannopyranose follows the path 3E-->1C4-->1H2-->B2,5 before being expelled by the enzyme. The highly conserved second site that strongly binds beta-D-mannopyranose-4C1 may exist to prevent competitive inhibition by the product, and is worthy of further investigation.

EDEM3, a soluble EDEM homolog, enhances glycoprotein endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation and mannose trimming

Quality control in the endoplasmic reticulum ensures that only properly folded proteins are retained in the cell through mechanisms that recognize and discard misfolded or unassembled proteins in a process called endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation (ERAD). We previously cloned EDEM (ER degradation-enhancing alpha-mannosidase-like protein) and showed that it accelerates ERAD of misfolded glycoproteins. We now cloned mouse EDEM3, a soluble homolog of EDEM. EDEM3 consists of 931 amino acids and has all the signature motifs of Class I alpha-mannosidases (glycosyl hydrolase family 47) in its N-terminal domain and a protease-associated motif in its C-terminal region. EDEM3 accelerates glycoprotein ERAD in transfected HEK293 cells, as shown by increased degradation of misfolded alpha1-antitrypsin variant (null (Hong Kong)) and of TCRalpha. Overexpression of EDEM3 also greatly stimulates mannose trimming not only from misfolded alpha1-AT null (Hong Kong) but also from total glycoproteins, in contrast to EDEM, which has no apparent alpha1,2-mannosidase activity. Furthermore, overexpression of the E147Q EDEM3 mutant, which has the mutation in one of the conserved acidic residues essential for enzyme activity of alpha1,2-mannosidases, abolishes the stimulation of mannose trimming and greatly decreases the stimulation of ERAD by EDEM3. These results show that EDEM3 has alpha1,2-mannosidase activity in vivo, suggesting that the mechanism whereby EDEM3 accelerates glycoprotein ERAD is different from that of EDEM.

Family 47 alpha-mannosidases in N-glycan processing

Alpha-mannosidases in eukaryotic cells are involved in both glycan biosynthetic reactions and glycan catabolism. Two broad families of enzymes have been identified that cleave terminal mannose linkages from Asn-linked oligosaccharides (Moremen, 2000), including the Class 1 mannosidases (CAZy GH family 47 (Henrissat and Bairoch, 1996)) of the early secretory pathway involved in the processing of N-glycans and quality control and the Class 2 mannosidases (CAZy family GH38 [Henrissat and Bairoch, 1996]) involved in glycoprotein biosynthesis or catabolism. Within the Class 1 family of alpha-mannosidases, three subfamilies of enzymes have been identified (Moremen, 2000). The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) alpha1,2-mannosidase I (ERManI) subfamily acts to cleave a single residue from Asn-linked glycans in the ER. The Golgi alpha-mannosidase I (GolgiManI) subfamily has at least three members in mammalian systems (Herscovics et al., 1994; Lal et al., 1994; Tremblay and Herscovics, 2000) involved in glycan maturation in the Golgi complex to form the Man(5)GlcNAc(2) processing intermediate. The third subfamily of GH47 proteins comprises the ER degradation, enhancing alpha-mannosidase-like proteins (EDEM proteins) (Helenius and Aebi, 2004; Hirao et al., 2006; Mast et al., 2005). These proteins have been proposed to accelerate the degradation of misfolded proteins in the lumen of the ER by a lectin function that leads to retrotranslocation to the cytosol and proteasomal degradation. Recent studies have also indicated that ERManI acts as a timer for initiation of glycoprotein degradation via the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway (Hosokawa et al., 2003; Wu et al., 2003). This article discusses methods for analysis of the GH47 alpha-mannosidases, including expression, purification, activity assays, generation of point mutants, and binding studies by surface plasmon resonance.

Energetics of Substrate Binding and Catalysis by Class 1 (Glycosylhydrolase Family 47) α-Mannosidases Involved in N-Glycan Processing and Endoplasmic Reticulum Quality Control

Nascent glycoproteins are subject to quality control in the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) where they can either be effectively folded with the aid of a collection of ER chaperones or they can be targeted for disposal in a process known as ER-associated degradation. Initiation of the ER disposal process involves selective trimming of N-glycans by ER alpha-mannosidase I and subsequent recognition by the ER degradation-enhancing alpha-mannosidase-like protein family of lectins, both members of glycosylhydrolase family 47. The kinetics and energetics of substrate binding and catalysis by members of this family were investigated here by the analysis of wild type and mutant forms of human ER alpha-mannosidase I. The contributions of several amino acid residues and an enzyme-associated Ca(2+) ion to substrate binding and catalysis were demonstrated by a combination of surface plasmon resonance and enzyme kinetic analyses. One mutant, E330Q, shown previously to alter general acid function within the catalytic site, resulted in an enzyme that possessed increased glycan binding affinity but compromised glycan hydrolysis. This mutant protein was used in a series of glycan binding studies with a library of mannose-containing ligands to examine the energetics of Man(9)GlcNAc(2) substrate interactions. These studies provide a framework for understanding the nature of the unusual substrate interactions within the family 47 mannosidases involved in glycan maturation and ER-associated glycoprotein degradation.

Mechanism of Class 1 (Glycosylhydrolase Family 47) α-Mannosidases Involved in N-Glycan Processing and Endoplasmic Reticulum Quality Control

Quality control in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) determines the fate of newly synthesized glycoproteins toward either correct folding or disposal by ER-associated degradation. Initiation of the disposal process involves selective trimming of N-glycans attached to misfolded glycoproteins by ER alpha-mannosidase I and subsequent recognition by the ER degradation-enhancing alpha-mannosidase-like protein family of lectins, both members of glycosylhydrolase family 47. The unusual inverting hydrolytic mechanism catalyzed by members of this family is investigated here by a combination of kinetic and binding analyses of wild type and mutant forms of human ER alpha-mannosidase I as well as by structural analysis of a co-complex with an uncleaved thiodisaccharide substrate analog. These data reveal the roles of potential catalytic acid and base residues and the identification of a novel (3)S(1) sugar conformation for the bound substrate analog. The co-crystal structure described here, in combination with the (1)C(4) conformation of a previously identified co-complex with the glycone mimic, 1-deoxymannojirimycin, indicates that glycoside bond cleavage proceeds through a least motion conformational twist of a properly predisposed substrate in the -1 subsite. A novel (3)H(4) conformation is proposed as the exploded transition state.

Human EDEM2, a novel homolog of family 47 glycosidases, is involved in ER-associated degradation of glycoproteins

In the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), misfolded proteins are retrotranslocated to the cytosol and degraded by the proteasome in a process known as ER-associated degradation (ERAD). Early in this pathway, a proposed lumenal ER lectin, EDEM, recognizes misfolded glycoproteins in the ER, disengages the nascent molecules from the folding pathway, and facilitates their targeting for disposal. In humans there are a total of three EDEM homologs. The amino acid sequences of these proteins are different from other lectins but are closely related to the Class I mannosidases (family 47 glycosidases). In this study, we characterize one of the EDEM homologs from Homo sapiens, which we have termed EDEM2 (C20orf31). Using recombinantly generated EDEM2, no alpha-1,2 mannosidase activity was observed. In HEK293 cells, recombinant EDEM2 is localized to the ER where it can associate with misfolded alpha1-antitrypsin. Overexpression of EDEM2 accelerates the degradation of misfolded alpha1-antitrypsin, indicating that the protein is involved in ERAD.

Structure of Mouse Golgi α-Mannosidase IA Reveals the Molecular Basis for Substrate Specificity among Class 1 (Family 47 Glycosylhydrolase) α1,2-Mannosidases

Three subfamilies of mammalian Class 1 processing alpha1,2-mannosidases (family 47 glycosidases) play critical roles in the maturation of Asn-linked glycoproteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and Golgi complex as well as influencing the timing and recognition for disposal of terminally unfolded proteins by ER-associated degradation. In an effort to define the structural basis for substrate recognition among Class 1 mannosidases, we have crystallized murine Golgi mannosidase IA (space group P2(1)2(1)2(1)), and the structure was solved to 1.5-A resolution by molecular replacement. The enzyme assumes an (alphaalpha)(7) barrel structure with a Ca(2+) ion coordinated at the base of the barrel similar to other Class 1 mannosidases. Critical residues within the barrel structure that coordinate the Ca(2+) ion or presumably bind and catalyze the hydrolysis of the glycone are also highly conserved. A Man(6)GlcNAc(2) oligosaccharide attached to Asn(515) in the murine enzyme was found to extend into the active site of an adjoining protein unit in the crystal lattice in a presumed enzyme-product complex. In contrast to an analogous complex previously isolated for Saccharomyces cerevisiae ER mannosidase I, the oligosaccharide in the active site of the murine Golgi enzyme assumes a different conformation to present an alternate oligosaccharide branch into the active site pocket. A comparison of the observed protein-carbohydrate interactions for the murine Golgi enzyme with the binding cleft topologies of the other family 47 glycosidases provides a framework for understanding the structural basis for substrate recognition among this class of enzymes.

In vivo synthesis of mammalian-like, hybrid-type N-glycans in Pichia pastoris

The Pichia pastoris N-glycosylation pathway is only partially homologous to the pathway in human cells. In the Golgi apparatus, human cells synthesize complex oligosaccharides, whereas Pichia cells form mannose structures that can contain up to 40 mannose residues. This hypermannosylation of secreted glycoproteins hampers the downstream processing of heterologously expressed glycoproteins and leads to the production of protein-based therapeutic agents that are rapidly cleared from the blood because of the presence of terminal mannose residues. Here, we describe engineering of the P. pastoris N-glycosylation pathway to produce nonhyperglycosylated hybrid glycans. This was accomplished by inactivation of OCH1 and overexpression of an alpha-1,2-mannosidase retained in the endoplasmic reticulum and N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase I and beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase retained in the Golgi apparatus. The engineered strain synthesized a nonsialylated hybrid-type N-linked oligosaccharide structure on its glycoproteins. The procedures which we developed allow glycan engineering of any P. pastoris expression strain and can yield up to 90% homogeneous protein-linked oligosaccharides.

Heterogeneity of homologously expressed Hypocrea jecorina (Trichoderma reesei) Cel7B catalytic module

The catalytic module of Hypocrea jecorina (previously Trichoderma reesei) Cel7B was homologously expressed by transformation of strain QM9414. Post-translational modifications in purified Cel7B preparations were analysed by enzymatic digestions, high performance chromatography, mass spectrometry and site-directed mutagenesis. Of the five potential sites found in the wild-type enzyme, only Asn56 and Asn182 were found to be N-glycosylated. GlcNAc(2)Man(5) was identified as the predominant N-glycan, although lesser amounts of GlcNAc(2)Man(7) and glycans carrying a mannophosphodiester bond were also detected. Repartition of neutral and charged glycan structures over the two glycosylation sites mainly accounts for the observed microheterogeneity of the protein. However, partial deamidation of Asn259 and a partially occupied O-glycosylation site give rise to further complexity in enzyme preparations.

Identification of glycan structure and glycosylation sites in cellobiohydrolase II and endoglucanases I and II from Trichoderma reesei

Mass spectrometric techniques combined with enzymatic digestions were applied to determine the glycosylation profiles of cellobiohydrolase (CBH II) and endoglucanases (EG I, II) purified from filamentous fungus Trichoderma reesei. Electrospray mass spectrometry (ESMS) analyses of the intact cellulases revealed the microheterogeneity in glycosylation where glycoforms were spaced by hexose units. These analyses indicated that glycosylation accounted for 12-24% of the molecular mass and that microheterogeneity in both N- and O-linked glycans was observed for each glycoprotein. The identification of N-linked attachment sites was carried out by MALDI-TOF and capillary liquid chromatography-ESMS analyses of tryptic digests from each purified cellulase component with and without PNGase F incubation. Potential tryptic glycopeptide candidates were first detected by stepped orifice-voltage scanning and the glycan structure and attachment site were confirmed by tandem mass spectrometry. For purified CBH II, 74% of glycans found on Asn310 were high mannose, predominantly Hex(7-9)GlcNAc(2), whereas the remaining amount was single GlcNAc; Asn289 had 18% single GlcNAc occupancy, and Asn14 remained unoccupied. EG I presented N-linked glycans at two out of the six potential sites. The Asn56 contained a single GlcNAc residue, and Asn182 showed primarily a high-mannose glycan Hex(8)GlcNAc(2) with only 8% being occupied with a single GlcNAc. Finally, EG II presented a single GlcNAc residue at Asn103. It is noteworthy that the presence of a single GlcNAc in all cellulase enzymes investigated and the variability in site occupancy suggest the secretion of an endogenous endo H enzyme in cultures of T. reesei.

Understanding protein structure-function relationships in Family 47 alpha-1,2-mannosidases through computational docking of ligands

Family 47 alpha-1,2-mannosidases are crucial enzymes involved in N-glycan maturation in the endoplasmic reticula and Golgi apparati of eukaryotic cells. High-resolution crystal structures of the human and yeast endoplasmic reticulum alpha-1,2-mannosidases have been recently determined, the former complexed with the inhibitors 1-deoxymannojirimycin and kifunensine, both of which bind in its active site in the unusual 1C4 conformation. However, unambiguous identification of the catalytic proton donor and nucleophile involved in glycoside bond hydrolysis was not possible from this structural information. In this work, alpha-D-galactose, alpha-D-glucose, and alpha-D-mannose were computationally docked in the active site in the energetically stable 4C1 conformation as well as in the 1C4 conformation to compare their interaction energetics. From these docked structures, a model for substrate and conformer selectivity based on the dimensions of the active site was proposed. Alpha-D-galactopyranosyl-(1-->2)-alpha-D-mannopyranose, alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)-alpha-D-mannopyranose, and alpha-D-mannopyranosyl-(1-->2)-alpha-D-mannopyranose were also docked into the active site with their nonreducing-end residues in the 1C4 and E4 (representing the transition state) conformations. Based on the docked structure of alpha-D-mannopyranosyl-E4-(1-->2)-alpha-D-mannopyranose, the catalytic acid and base are Glu132 and Glu435, respectively.

Novel tools for the study of class I alpha-mannosidases: a chromogenic substrate and a substrate-analog inhibitor

The use of chromogenic substrates for evaluation of class I alpha-mannosidase is described. 2('),4(')-Dinitrophenyl-alpha-D-mannopyranoside allows rapid and sensitive assays of enzymatic activities, e.g., of heterologously expressed alpha-1,2-mannosidase from Trichoderma reesei. Interaction constants of several ligands with alpha-mannosidases from class I and II could also be determined. Furthermore, novel types of inhibitors derived from D-lyxose are presented. Methyl-alpha-D-lyxopyranosyl-(1(')-->2)-alpha-D-mannopyranoside is a potent inhibitor of the alpha-1,2-mannosidase from T. reesei (K(i)=600 microM) and since it probably spans subsites -1/+1, this disaccharide could be valuable in crystallographic studies of class I alpha-mannosidases.

Structure of Penicillium citrinum alpha 1,2-mannosidase reveals the basis for differences in specificity of the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi class I enzymes

Class I alpha1,2-mannosidases (glycosylhydrolase family 47) are key enzymes in the maturation of N-glycans. This protein family includes two distinct enzymatically active subgroups. Subgroup 1 includes the yeast and human endoplasmic reticulum (ER) alpha1,2-mannosidases that primarily trim Man(9)GlcNAc(2) to Man(8)GlcNAc(2) isomer B whereas subgroup 2 includes mammalian Golgi alpha1,2-mannosidases IA, IB, and IC that trim Man(9)GlcNAc(2) to Man(5)GlcNAc(2) via Man(8)GlcNAc(2) isomers A and C. The structure of the catalytic domain of the subgroup 2 alpha1,2-mannosidase from Penicillium citrinum has been determined by molecular replacement at 2.2-A resolution. The fungal alpha1,2-mannosidase is an (alphaalpha)(7)-helix barrel, very similar to the subgroup 1 yeast (Vallée, F., Lipari, F., Yip, P., Sleno, B., Herscovics, A., and Howell, P. L. (2000) EMBO J. 19, 581-588) and human (Vallée, F., Karaveg, K., Herscovics, A., Moremen, K. W., and Howell, P. L. (2000) J. Biol. Chem. 275, 41287-41298) ER enzymes. The location of the conserved acidic residues of the catalytic site and the binding of the inhibitors, kifunensine and 1-deoxymannojirimycin, to the essential calcium ion are conserved in the fungal enzyme. However, there are major structural differences in the oligosaccharide binding site between the two alpha1,2-mannosidase subgroups. In the subgroup 1 enzymes, an arginine residue plays a critical role in stabilizing the oligosaccharide substrate. In the fungal alpha1,2-mannosidase this arginine is replaced by glycine. This replacement and other sequence variations result in a more spacious carbohydrate binding site. Modeling studies of interactions between the yeast, human and fungal enzymes with different Man(8)GlcNAc(2) isomers indicate that there is a greater degree of freedom to bind the oligosaccharide in the active site of the fungal enzyme than in the yeast and human ER alpha1,2-mannosidases.