GH53 Endo-Beta-1,4-Galactanase from a Newly Isolated Bacillus licheniformis CBMAI 1609 as an Enzymatic Cocktail Supplement for Biomass Saccharification

Glycoside hydrolases from (hyper)thermophilic archaea: structure, function, and applications

(Hyper)thermophilic archaeal glycosidases are enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of glycosidic bonds to break down complex sugars and polysaccharides at high temperatures. These enzymes have an unique structure that allows them to remain stable and functional in extreme environments such as hot springs and hydrothermal vents. This review provides an overview of the current knowledge and milestones on the structures and functions of (hyper)thermophilic archaeal glycosidases and their potential applications in various fields. In particular, this review focuses on the structural characteristics of these enzymes and how these features relate to their catalytic activity by discussing different types of (hyper)thermophilic archaeal glycosidases, including β-glucosidases, chitinase, cellulases and α-amylases, describing their molecular structures, active sites, and mechanisms of action, including their role in the hydrolysis of carbohydrates. By providing a comprehensive overview of (hyper)thermophilic archaeal glycosidases, this review aims to stimulate further research into these fascinating enzymes.

Mass spectrometry imaging of oligosaccharides following in situ enzymatic treatment of maize kernels

In recent years enzymatic treatment of maize has been utilized in the wet-milling process to increase the yield of extracted starch, proteins, and other constituents. One of the strategies to obtain this goal is to add enzymes that break down insoluble cell-wall polysaccharides which would otherwise entrap starch granules. Due to the high complexity of maize polysaccharides, this goal is not easily achieved and more knowledge about the substrate and enzyme performances is needed. To gather information of both enzyme performance and increase substrate understanding, a method was developed using mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) to analyze degradation products from polysaccharides following enzymatic treatment of the maize endosperm. Different enzymes were spotted onto cryosections of maize kernels which had been pre-treated with an amylase to remove starch. The cryosections were then incubated for 17 h. before mass spectrometry images were generated with a MALDI-MSI setup. The images showed varying degradation products for the different enzymes observed as pentose oligosaccharides differing with regards to sidechains and the number of linked pentoses. The method proved suitable for identifying the reaction products formed after reaction with different xylanases and arabinofuranosidases and for characterization of the complex arabinoxylan substrate in the maize kernel. HYPOTHESES: Mass spectrometry imaging can be a useful analytical tool for obtaining information of polysaccharide constituents and enzyme performance from maize samples.

Engineering the substrate binding site of the hyperthermostable archaeal endo-β-1,4-galactanase from Ignisphaera aggregans

BACKGROUND

Endo-β-1,4-galactanases are glycoside hydrolases (GH) from the GH53 family belonging to the largest clan of GHs, clan GH-A. GHs are ubiquitous and involved in a myriad of biological functions as well as being widely used industrially. Endo-β-1,4-galactanases, in particular hydrolyse galactan and arabinogalactan in pectin, a major component of the primary plant cell wall, with important functions in plant defence and application in the food and other industries. Here, we explore the family's biological diversity by characterizing the first archaeal and hyperthermophilic GH53 galactanase, and utilize it as a scaffold for engineering enzymes with different product lengths.

RESULTS

A galactanase gene was identified in the genome of the anaerobic hyperthermophilic archaeon Ignisphaera aggregans, and the isolated catalytic domain expressed and characterized (IaGal). IaGal presents the typical (βα)₈ barrel structure of clan GH-A enzymes, with catalytic carboxylates at the end of the 4th and 7th barrel strands. Its activity optimum of at least 95 °C and melting point over 100 °C indicate extreme thermostability, a very advantageous property for industrial applications. If enzyme depletion is reduced, so is the need for re-addition, and thus costs. The main stabilizing features of IaGal compared to other structurally characterized members are π-π and cation-π interactions. The length of the substrate binding site-and thus produced oligosaccharide products-is intermediate compared to previously characterized galactanases. Variants inspired by the structural diversity in the GH53 family were rationally designed to shorten or extend the substrate binding groove, in order to modulate product length. Subsite-deleted variants produced shorter products than IaGal, as do the fungal galactanases inspiring the design. IaGal variants engineered with a longer binding site produced a less expected degradation pattern, though still different from that of wild-type IaGal. All variants remained extremely stable.

CONCLUSIONS

We have characterized in detail the most thermophilic endo-β-1,4-galactanase known to date and successfully engineered it to modify the degradation profile, while maintaining much of its desirable thermostability. This is an important achievement as oligosaccharide products length is an important property for industrial and natural GHs alike.

Structure of Aspergillus aculeatus β-1,4-galactanase in complex with galactobiose

β-1,4-Galactanases are glycoside hydrolases that are involved in the degradation of pectin and belong to family 53 in the classification of glycoside hydrolases. Previous studies have elucidated the structures of several fungal and two bacterial galactanases, while biochemical studies have indicated differences in the product profiles of different members of the family. Structural studies of ligand complexes have to date been limited to the bacterial members of the family. Here, the first structure of a fungal galactanase in complex with a disaccharide is presented. Galactobiose binds to subsites -1 and -2, thus improving our understanding of ligand binding to galactanases.

Selection of Bacillus species for targeted in situ release of prebiotic galacto-rhamnogalacturonan from potato pulp in piglets

We have previously shown that galacto-rhamnogalacturonan fibers can be enzymatically extracted from potato pulp and that these fibers have potential for exerting a prebiotic effect in piglets. The spore-forming Bacillus species are widely used as probiotics in feed supplements for pigs. In this study, we evaluated the option for further functionalizing Bacillus feed supplements by selecting strains possessing the enzymes required for extraction of the potentially prebiotic fibers. We established that it would require production and secretion of pectin lyase and/or polygalacturonase but no or limited secretion of galactanase and β-galactosidase. By screening a library of 158 Bacillus species isolated from feces and soil, we demonstrated that especially strains of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus subtilis, and Bacillus mojavensis have the necessary enzyme profile and thus the capability to degrade polygalacturonan. Using an in vitro porcine gastrointestinal model system, we revealed that specifically strains of B. mojavensis were able to efficiently release galacto-rhamnogalacturonan from potato pulp under simulated gastrointestinal conditions. The work thus demonstrated the feasibility of producing prebiotic fibers via a feed containing Bacillus spores and potato pulp and identified candidates for future in vivo evaluation in piglets.