Synthesis of Gal beta 1-3GlcNAc and Gal beta 1-3GlcNAc beta-SEt by an enzymatic method comprising the sequential use of beta-galactosidases from bovine testes and Escherichia coli

Large scale production of lacto-N-biose I, a building block of type I human milk oligosaccharides, using sugar phosphorylases

Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) have drawn attention for their contribution to the explosive bifidobacterial growth in the intestines of neonates. We found that bifidobacteria can efficiently metabolize lacto-N-biose I (LNB), the major building blocks of HMOs, and we have developed a method to synthesize LNB by applying this system. We produced LNB on a kilogram scale by the method. This proved that, among the enterobacteria, only bifidobacteria can assimilate LNB, and provided the data that supported the explosive growth of bifidobacteria in neonates. Furthermore, we were also able to reveal the structure of LNB crystal and the low stability for heating at neutral pH, which has not been clarified so far. In this paper, using bifidobacteria and LNB as examples, I describe the research on oligosaccharide synthesis that was conducted by utilizing a sugar metabolism.Abbreviations: LNB: lacto-N-biose I; GNB: galacto-N-biose; HMOs: human milk oligosaccharides; GLNBP: GNB/LNB phosphorylase; NahK: N-acetylhexosamine 1-kinase; GalT: UDP-glucose-hexose-1-phosphate uridylyltransferase; GalE: UDP-glucose 4-epimerase; SP: sucrose phosphorylase.

Rational design of a glycosynthase by the crystal structure of β-galactosidase from Bacillus circulans (BgaC) and its use for the synthesis of N-acetyllactosamine type 1 glycan structures

The crystal structure of β-galactosidase from Bacillus circulans (BgaC) was determined at 1.8Å resolution. The overall structure of BgaC consists of three distinct domains, which are the catalytic domain with a TIM-barrel structure and two all-β domains (ABDs). The main-chain fold and steric configurations of the acidic and aromatic residues at the active site were very similar to those of Streptococcus pneumoniae β(1,3)-galactosidase BgaC in complex with galactose. The structure of BgaC was used for the rational design of a glycosynthase. BgaC belongs to the glycoside hydrolase family 35. The essential nucleophilic amino acid residue has been identified as glutamic acid at position 233 by site-directed mutagenesis. Construction of the active site mutant BgaC-Glu233Gly gave rise to a galactosynthase transferring the sugar moiety from α-d-galactopyranosyl fluoride (αGalF) to different β-linked N-acetylglucosamine acceptor substrates in good yield (40-90%) with a remarkably stable product formation. Enzymatic syntheses with BgaC-Glu233Gly afforded the stereo- and regioselective synthesis of β1-3-linked key galactosides like galacto-N-biose or lacto-N-biose.

Regioselectivity in β-Galactosidase-catalyzed Transglycosylation for the Enzymatic Assembly ofD-Galactosyl-D-mannose

The regioselectivity of beta-galactosidase derived from Bacillus circulans ATCC 31382 (beta-1,3-galactosidase) in transgalactosylation reactions using D-mannose as an acceptor was investigated. This D-mannose associated regioselectivity was found to be different from reactions using either GlcNAc or GalNAc as acceptors, not only for beta-1,3-galactosidase but also for beta-galactosidases of different origins. The relative hydrolysis rate of Gal beta-pNP and D-galactosyl-D-mannoses, of various linkages, was also measured in the presence of beta-1,3-galactosidase and was found to correlate well with the ratio of disaccharides formed by transglycosylation. The unexpected regioselectivity using D-mannose can therefore be explained by an anomalous specificity in the hydrolysis reaction. By utilizing the identified characteristics of both regioselectivity and hydrolysis specificity using D-mannose, an efficient method for enzymatic synthesis of beta-1,3-, beta-1,4- and beta-1,6-linked D-galactosyl-D-mannose was subsequently established.

Crystal structures of beta-galactosidase from Penicillium sp. and its complex with galactose

Beta-galactosidases catalyze the hydrolysis of beta(1-3) and beta(1-4) galactosyl bonds in oligosaccharides as well as the inverse reaction of enzymatic condensation and transglycosylation. Here we report the crystallographic structures of Penicillium sp. beta-galactosidase and its complex with galactose solved by the SIRAS quick cryo-soaking technique at 1.90 A and 2.10 A resolution, respectively. The amino acid sequence of this 120 kDa protein was first assigned putatively on the basis of inspection of the experimental electron density maps and then determined by nucleotide sequence analysis. Primary structure alignments reveal that Penicillium sp. beta-galactosidase belongs to family 35 of glycosyl hydrolases (GHF-35). This model is the first 3D structure for a member of GHF-35. Five distinct domains which comprise the structure are assembled in a way previously unobserved for beta-galactosidases. Superposition of this complex with other beta-galactosidase complexes from several hydrolase families allowed the identification of residue Glu200 as the proton donor and residue Glu299 as the nucleophile involved in catalysis. Penicillium sp. beta-galactosidase is a glycoprotein containing seven N-linked oligosaccharide chains and is the only structure of a glycosylated beta-galactosidase described to date.

1-O-Acetyl-beta-D-galactopyranose: a novel substrate for the transglycosylation reaction catalyzed by the beta-galactosidase from Penicillium sp

1-O-Acetyl-beta-D-galactopyranose (AcGal), a new substrate for beta-galactosidase, was synthesized in a stereoselective manner by the trichloroacetimidate procedure. Kinetic parameters (K(M) and k(cat)) for the hydrolysis of 1-O-acetyl-beta-D-galactopyranose catalyzed by the beta-D-galactosidase from Penicillium sp. were compared with similar characteristics for a number of natural and synthetic substrates. The value for k(cat) in the hydrolysis of AcGal was three orders of magnitude greater than for other known substrates. The beta-galactosidase hydrolyzes AcGal with retention of anomeric configuration. The transglycosylation activity of the beta-D-galactosidase in the reaction of AcGal and methyl beta-D-galactopyranoside (1) as substrates was investigated by 1H NMR spectroscopy and HPLC techniques. The transglycosylation product using AcGal as a substrate was beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1-->6)-1-O-acetyl-beta-D-galactopyranose (with a yield of approximately 70%). In the case of 1 as a substrate, the main transglycosylation product was methyl beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-galactopyranoside. Methyl beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1-->3)-beta-D-galactopyranoside was found to be minor product in the latter reaction.

Enzymatic synthesis of sulfated disaccharides using beta-D-galactosidase-catalyzed transglycosylation

We have established a unique enzymatic approach for obtaining sulfated disaccharides using Bacillus circulans beta-D-galactosidase-catalyzed 6-sulfo galactosylation. When 4-methyl umbelliferyl 6-sulfo beta-D-galactopyranoside (S6Gal beta-4MU) was used as a donor, the enzyme induced transfer of 6-sulfo galactosyl residue to GlcNAc acceptor. As a result, the desired compound 6'-sulfo N-acetyllactosamine (S6Gal beta1-4GlcNAc) and its positional isomer 6'-sulfo N-acetylisolactosamine (S6Gal beta1-6GlcNAc) were observed by HPAEC-PAD, in 49% total yield based on the donor added, and in a molar ratio of 1:3.5. With a glucose acceptor, the regioselectivity was substantially changed and S6Gal beta1-2Glc was mainly produced along with beta-(1-1)alpha, beta-(1-3), beta-(1-6) isomers in 74% total yield. When methyl alpha-D-glucopyranoside (Glc alpha-OMe) was an acceptor, the enzyme also formed mainly S6Gal beta1-2Glc alpha-OMe with its beta-(1-6)-linked isomer in 41% total yield based on the donor added. In both cases, it led to the predominant formation of beta-(1-2)-linked disaccharides. In contrast, with the corresponding methyl beta-D-glucopyranoside (Glc beta-OMe) acceptor, S6Gal beta1-3Glc beta-OMe and S6Gal beta1-6Glc beta-OMe were formed in a low total yield of 12%. These results indicate that the regioselectivity and efficiency on the beta-D-galactosidase-mediated transfer reaction significantly depend on the anomeric configuration in the glucosyl acceptors.

The identification of the catalytic nucleophiles of two beta-galactosidases from glycoside hydrolase family 35

The beta-galactosidases from Xanthomonas manihotis (beta-Gal Xmn) and Bacillus circulans (beta-Gal-3 Bcir) are retaining glycosidases that hydrolyze glycosidic bonds through a double displacement mechanism involving a covalent glycosyl-enzyme intermediate. The mechanism-based inactivator 2,4-dinitrophenyl 2-deoxy-2-fluoro-beta-D-galactopyranoside was shown to inactivate beta-Gal Xmn and beta-Gal-3 Bcir through the accumulation of 2-deoxy-2-fluorogalactosyl enzyme intermediates with half lives of 40 and 625 h, respectively. Peptic digestion of these labeled enzymes and analysis by LC-MS identified Glu(260) and Glu(233) as the catalytic nucleophiles involved in the formation of the glycosyl-enzyme intermediate during catalysis by beta-Gal Xmn and beta-Gal-3 Bcir, respectively. These findings confirm the previous prediction of the position of these residues based on primary sequence similarities to other members of the glycoside hydrolase family 35.

Purification and characterization of a lectin from the mushroom Mycoleptodonoides aitchisonii

A lectin was isolated from the mushroom Mycoleptodonoides aitchisonii by means of affinity chromatography on bovine submaxillary mucin (BSM)-Toyopearl and gel filtration on Superose 12 HR10/30 using a FPLC system. This lectin is composed of four identical 16 kDa subunits and the molecular mass of the intact lectin was estimated to be 64 kDa by gel filtration. In a hemagglutination inhibition assay, it exhibited strong sugar-binding specificity towards asialo-BSM among the mono- or oligo-saccharides and glycoproteins tested. The binding specificity of the lectin was also examined by surface plasmon resonance analysis.

Development of an ultra-high-temperature process for the enzymatic hydrolysis of lactose: II. Oligosaccharide formation by two thermostable beta-glycosidases

During lactose conversion at 70 degrees C, when catalyzed by beta-glycosidases from the archea Sulfolobus solfataricus (SsbetaGly) and Pyrococcus furiosus (CelB), galactosyl transfer to acceptors other than water competes efficiently with complete hydrolysis of substrate. This process leads to transient formation of a range of new products, mainly disaccharides and trisaccharides, and shows a marked dependence on initial substrate concentration and lactose conversion. Oligosaccharides have been analyzed quantitatively by using capillary electrophoresis and high performance anion-exchange chromatography. At 270 g/L initial lactose, they accumulate at a maximum concentration of 86 g/L at 80% lactose conversion. With both enzymes, the molar ratio of trisaccharides to disaccharides is maximal at an early stage of reaction and decreases directly proportional to increasing substrate conversion. Overall, CelB produces about 6% more hydrolysis byproducts than SsbetaGly. However, the product spectrum of SsbetaGly is richer in trisaccharides, and this agrees with results obtained from the steady-state kinetics analyses of galactosyl transfer catalyzed by SsbetaGly and CelB. The major transgalactosylation products of SsbetaGly and CelB have been identified. They are beta-D-Galp-(1-->3)-Glc and beta-D-Galp-(1-->6)-Glc, and beta-D-Galp-(1-->3)-lactose and beta-D-Galp-(1-->6)-lactose, and their formation and degradation have been shown to be dependent upon lactose conversion. Both enzymes accumulate beta(1-->6)-linked glycosides, particularly allolactose, at a late stage of reaction. Because a high oligosaccharide concentration prevails until about 80% lactose conversion, thermostable beta-glycosidases are efficient for oligosaccharide production from lactose. Therefore, they prove to be stable and versatile catalysts for lactose utilization.

Regiospecific glycosidase-assisted synthesis of lacto-N-biose I (Galbeta1-3GlcNAc) and 3'-sialyl-lacto-N-biose I (NeuAcalpha2-3Galbeta1-3GlcNAc)

The all-transglycolytic synthesis of lacto-N-biose I (Galbeta1-3GlcNAc) and 3'-sialyl-lacto-N-biose I (NeuAcalpha2-3Galbeta1-3GlcNAc) was performed. The disaccharide lacto-N-biose I was obtained by use of p-nitrophenyl beta-D-galactopyranoside as the donor, 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucopyranose as the acceptor and Xanthomonas manihotis beta-D-galactosidase as the catalyst. The reaction was shown to be regiospecific, with a high molar yield (about 55%) with respect to the donor. Lacto-N-biose I obtained by this method was used as the acceptor for a subsequent enzymatic reaction catalyzed by Trypanosoma cruzi trans-sialidase in which 2'-(4-methylumbellyferyl)-alpha-D-N-acetylneuraminic was used as the donor of the N-acetylneuraminil moiety. The reaction generated the product, 3'-sialyl-lacto-N-biose I, regiospecifically and with a molar yield of about 35%.

Expression, purification, and biochemical characterization of a recombinant lectin of Sarcocystis muris (Apicomplexa) cyst merozoites

The mature major microneme protein of Sarcocystis muris cyst merozoites, which is known as a dimeric lectin with high affinity to galactose and some of its derivatives, was expressed in Escherichia colias a histidine-tagged fusion protein. The recombinant polypeptide, which was recognized by a monoclonal antibody directed against the native lectin, was purified from inclusion bodies after solubilization and refolding, using a combination of metal chelate and lactose affinity chromatography. The apparent molecular mass of the refolded polypeptide as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoreses was 16 kDa, whereas gel filtration chromatography clearly demonstrated that the recombinant protein, like its native counterpart, exists as a homodimer of two non-covalently associated subunits. Inhibition of haemagglutination suggests that the combining site of the recombinant lectin recognizes N-acetyl-galactosamine as the dominant sugar, thus confirming the correct folding of the monosaccharide combining site in the renatured lectin. To the best of our knowledge, this work represents the first reported detailed characterization of a recombinant lectin from apicomplexan parasites, and may contribute to a better understanding of the process of host cell recognition and invasion by these obligate intracellular protozoa.

Regioselectivity of the enzymatic transgalactosidation of D- and L-xylose catalysed by beta-galactosidases

The regioselectivity of enzymatic transgalactosidation depends on the source of the beta-galactosidase used. When the galactosyl acceptor only contains secondary hydroxyl groups, e.g., D- or L-xylose, it is possible to find an enzyme that catalyses preferentially the synthesis of any of the three regioisomers 4-, 3- and 2-O-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-D-xylose (1, 2 and 3, respectively) or 4-, 3- and 2-O-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-L-xylose (4, 5 and 6, respectively). Enriched mixtures in 1, 2 or 3 were obtained using beta-galactosidases from Escherichia coli, bovine testes or Aspergillus oryzae, respectively, by transgalactosidation reaction of O-nitrophenyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside and D-xylose, and enriched mixtures in 4, 5 or 6 were obtained in a similar way using beta-galactosidases from Aspergillus oryzae, lamb small-intestine (intestinal lactase-phloridzin hydrolase) or Saccharomyces fragilis, respectively, using L-xylose as acceptor.

Enzymic synthesis of 3'-O- and 6'-O-N-acetylglucosaminyl-N-acetyllactosaminide glycosides catalyzed by beta-N-acetyl-D-hexosaminidase from Nocardia orientalis

beta-N-acetyl-D-hexosaminidase from Nocardia orientalis catalyzed the synthesis of beta-D-GlcNAc-(1 --> 3)-beta-D-Gal-(1 --> 4)-beta-D-GlcNAc-OC6H4NO2-p (1) and beta-D-GlcNAc-(1 --> 6)-beta-D-Gal-(1 --> 4)-beta-D-GlcNAc-OC6H4NO2-p (2) with its isomer beta-D-Gal-(1 --> 4)-[beta-D-GlcNAc-(1 --> 6)]-beta-D-GlcNAc-OC6H4NO2-p (3) through N-acetylglucosaminyl transfer from N-,N'-diacetylchitobiose to p-nitrophenyl beta-N-acetyllactosaminide. The enzyme formed a mixture of trisaccharides 1, 2, and 3 in a ratio of 11:33:56. In the case, when an inclusion complex of p-nitrophenyl beta-N-acetyllactosaminide with alpha-CD was used, compounds 1, 2, and 3 were formed in a molar ratio of 24:63:13. The regioselectivity of glycosidase-catalyzed formation of the trisaccharide glycosides was substantially changed. It resulted not only in a significant increase of the proportion of the desired compounds 1 and 2 but also in the substantial increase of the overall yield of transfer products.

The synthesis of galactopyranosyl derivatives with beta-galactosidases of different origins

beta-Galactosidases from four different sources were used to catalyze the transfer of beta-D-galactopyranosyl from 4-nitrophenyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside to a hydroxyl group of 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-galactopyranose in the synthesis of Gal beta (1-3)GalNAc (1), Gal beta (1-4)GalNAc (2) and Gal beta (1-6)GalNAc (3), in triethyl phosphate buffered solutions (20-60%). When beta-galactosidases from Penicillium multicolor and Aspergillus oryzae were used as the catalysts, the beta (1-6)-linked disaccharide was produced as the major product. However, with beta-galactosidase from Bifidobacterium bifidum, the major products were the beta (1-4) and beta (1-6)-linked disaccharides. On the other hand, with beta-galactosidase from Streptococcus 6646K, beta (1-3)-linked disaccharide was predominant together with beta (1-4)-linked isomer. Gal beta (1-3)GlcNAc (4), Gal beta (1-4)GlcNAc (5) and Gal beta (1-6)GlcNAc (6) were also synthesized with beta-galactosidase from S. 6646K and B. bifidum with 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-glucopyranose as the acceptor and PNPGal as the donor. In both cases, the beta (1-4)-linked disaccharide was predominantly produced. In addition, a comparative study was carried out to determine the regioselectivity of the transglycosylation reaction as well as the hydrolytic specificity toward the same linked disaccharides.

Borate ion-assisted stabilization of beta-galactosidase from Aspergillus oryzae by polyhydroxy compounds in water-miscible organic solvents

The stability of beta-galactosidase from Aspergillus oryzae in water-miscible organic solvents in different buffers at various pH values ranging from 4.6 to 8.0 was studied. The stability of the enzyme in all six organic solvents studied was dependent on pH and on the type of buffer ions present. At a given pH, destabilization by organic solvents was highest in sodium borate buffer. The destabilization of beta-galactosidase by these solvents could be reversed by addition of sugars or polyhydroxy compounds exclusively in sodium borate, suggesting a role of borate ions in stabilization. A similar effect of addition of mannitol was observed on deactivation of beta-galactosidase by N, N-dimethylformamide (DMF). Exclusively in sodium borate, at pH 8.0, the addition of mannitol (0.02 M) not only prevented the deactivation by DMF (8%, v/v) but increased the enzyme activity to the level at its optimum pH. Since beta-galactosidase from Aspergillus oryzae is a glycoprotein, complexation of the borate ions to the carbohydrate part may result in change in protein conformation, which, without leading to denaturation or inactivation of the enzyme, may facilitate interaction of the organic solvents with the enzyme leading to its denaturation. Such a denaturation is probably prevented by addition of polyhydroxy compounds, which appear to compete favorably with the carbohydrate moiety of the protein in complexing with borate ions. This should result in the enzyme regaining its native conformation.

Enzyme-catalyzed oligosaccharide synthesis

Cell-surface carbohydrates and their conjugates are involved in many types of molecular recognition. This review describes recent developments in enzyme-catalyzed oligosaccharide synthesis, with particular focus on glycosyltransferase and glycosidase reactions. With the increasing availability of glycosyltransferases via recombinant DNA technology, glycosyltransferase-catalyzed glycosylation with in situ regeneration of sugar nucleotides appears to be the most effective method for large-scale stereocontrolled oligosaccharide synthesis.

Immobilisation of beta-D-galactosidase from Escherichia coli on cellulose beads and its use for the synthesis of disaccharide derivatives

beta-D-Galactosidase, isolated from cloned E. coli, was immobilised on cellulose beads via oxidation with sodium periodate, activation by cyanuric chloride, or diazotisation. beta-D-Galactosidase immobilised via azo bonds showed the highest relative activity and thermostability, and was used for synthesis of disaccharide methyl glycosides.