1
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Nasseri SA, Lazarski AC, Lemmer IL, Zhang CY, Brencher E, Chen HM, Sim L, Panwar D, Betschart L, Worrall LJ, Brumer H, Strynadka NCJ, Withers SG. An alternative broad-specificity pathway for glycan breakdown in bacteria. Nature 2024; 631:199-206. [PMID: 38898276 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07574-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
The vast majority of glycosidases characterized to date follow one of the variations of the 'Koshland' mechanisms1 to hydrolyse glycosidic bonds through substitution reactions. Here we describe a large-scale screen of a human gut microbiome metagenomic library using an assay that selectively identifies non-Koshland glycosidase activities2. Using this, we identify a cluster of enzymes with extremely broad substrate specificities and thoroughly characterize these, mechanistically and structurally. These enzymes not only break glycosidic linkages of both α and β stereochemistry and multiple connectivities, but also cleave substrates that are not hydrolysed by standard glycosidases. These include thioglycosides, such as the glucosinolates from plants, and pseudoglycosidic bonds of pharmaceuticals such as acarbose. This is achieved through a distinct mechanism of hydrolysis that involves oxidation/reduction and elimination/hydration steps, each catalysed by enzyme modules that are in many cases interchangeable between organisms and substrate classes. Homologues of these enzymes occur in both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria associated with the gut microbiome and other body parts, as well as other environments, such as soil and sea. Such alternative step-wise mechanisms appear to constitute largely unrecognized but abundant pathways for glycan degradation as part of the metabolism of carbohydrates in bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyed Amirhossein Nasseri
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Aleksander C Lazarski
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Center for Blood Research, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Imke L Lemmer
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Chloe Y Zhang
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Eva Brencher
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Hong-Ming Chen
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Lyann Sim
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Deepesh Panwar
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Leo Betschart
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Liam J Worrall
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Center for Blood Research, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Harry Brumer
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Natalie C J Strynadka
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Center for Blood Research, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Stephen G Withers
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
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2
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Bains RK, Nasseri SA, Liu F, Wardman JF, Rahfeld P, Withers SG. Characterization of a new family of 6-sulfo-N-acetylglucosaminidases. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:105214. [PMID: 37660924 PMCID: PMC10570127 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Sulfation is widespread in nature and plays an important role in modulating biological function. Among the strategies developed by microbes to access sulfated oligosaccharides as a nutrient source is the production of 6-sulfoGlcNAcases to selectively release 6-sulfoGlcNAc from target oligosaccharides. Thus far, all 6-sulfoGlcNAcases identified have belonged to the large GH20 family of β-hexosaminidases. Ηere, we identify and characterize a new, highly specific non-GH20 6-sulfoGlcNAcase from Streptococcus pneumoniae TIGR4, Sp_0475 with a greater than 110,000-fold preference toward N-acetyl-β-D-glucosamine-6-sulfate substrates over the nonsulfated version. Sp_0475 shares distant sequence homology with enzymes of GH20 and with the newly formed GH163 family. However, the sequence similarity between them is sufficiently low that Sp_0475 has been assigned as the founding member of a new glycoside hydrolase family, GH185. By combining results from site-directed mutagenesis with mechanistic studies and bioinformatics we provide insight into the substrate specificity, mechanism, and key active site residues of Sp_0475. Enzymes of the GH185 family follow a substrate-assisted mechanism, consistent with their distant homology to the GH20 family, but the catalytic residues involved are quite different. Taken together, our results highlight in more detail how microbes can degrade sulfated oligosaccharides for nutrients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajneesh K Bains
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Seyed A Nasseri
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Feng Liu
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Jacob F Wardman
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Peter Rahfeld
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Stephen G Withers
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
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3
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Escuder-Rodríguez JJ, DeCastro ME, Saavedra-Bouza A, González-Siso MI, Becerra M. Bioprospecting for Thermozymes and Characterization of a Novel Lipolytic Thermozyme Belonging to the SGNH/GDSL Family of Hydrolases. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:5733. [PMID: 35628544 PMCID: PMC9145741 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23105733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Functional screenings were conducted on two metagenomic libraries from hot springs in order to find novel thermozymes with potential biotechnological applications. These included enzymes acting on plant cell walls such as endoglucanases and exoglucanases, β-glucosidases, xylanases, and β-xylosidases, and broad application enzymes such as proteases and lipolytic hydrolases. Of all the enzymes found by this bioprospection, we selected a novel lipolytic enzyme for further characterization. The protein was found to belong to the SGNH/GDSL family of hydrolases. It was purified and its biochemical parameters determined. We found that the enzyme was most active at 60 °C and pH 9 using pNP-laurate as substrate and was highly thermostable. It also showed preference for short-chained substrates and activation with temperature and with certain detergents such as Tween 80. Proteins of this family of hydrolases are relevant for their broad substrate specificity, that coupled with this protein's high temperature optima, broad pH range, and thermostability further highlights its biotechnological potential.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - María-Isabel González-Siso
- EXPRELA Group, Advanced Scientific Research Center (CICA), Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Universidade da Coruña, 15071 A Coruña, Spain; (J.-J.E.-R.); (M.-E.D.); (A.S.-B.)
| | - Manuel Becerra
- EXPRELA Group, Advanced Scientific Research Center (CICA), Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Universidade da Coruña, 15071 A Coruña, Spain; (J.-J.E.-R.); (M.-E.D.); (A.S.-B.)
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4
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Wang S, Breslawec AP, Li C, Poulin MB. A Colorimetric Assay to Enable High-Throughput Identification of Biofilm Exopolysaccharide-Hydrolyzing Enzymes. Chemistry 2020; 26:10719-10723. [PMID: 32589289 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202002475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Revised: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Glycosidase enzymes that hydrolyze the biofilm exopolysaccharide poly-β-(1→6)-N-acetylglucosamine (PNAG) are critical tools to study biofilm and potential therapeutic biofilm dispersal agents. Function-driven metagenomic screening is a powerful approach for the discovery of new glycosidase but requires sensitive assays capable of distinguishing between the desired enzyme and functionally related enzymes. Herein, we report the synthesis of a colorimetric PNAG disaccharide analogue whose hydrolysis by PNAG glycosidases results in production of para-nitroaniline that can be continuously monitored at 410 nm. The assay is specific for enzymes capable of hydrolyzing PNAG and not related β-hexosaminidase enzymes with alternative glycosidic linkage specificities. This analogue enabled development of a continuous colorimetric assay for detection of PNAG hydrolyzing enzyme activity in crude E. coli cell lysates and suggests that this disaccharide probe will be critical for establishing the functional screening of metagenomic DNA libraries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaochi Wang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland College Park, 8051 Regents Drive, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Alexandra P Breslawec
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland College Park, 8051 Regents Drive, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Crystal Li
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland College Park, 8051 Regents Drive, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Myles B Poulin
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland College Park, 8051 Regents Drive, College Park, MD 20742, USA
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5
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Rahfeld P, Wardman JF, Mehr K, Huff D, Morgan-Lang C, Chen HM, Hallam SJ, Withers SG. Prospecting for microbial α- N-acetylgalactosaminidases yields a new class of GH31 O-glycanase. J Biol Chem 2019; 294:16400-16415. [PMID: 31530641 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra119.010628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2019] [Revised: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
α-Linked GalNAc (α-GalNAc) is most notably found at the nonreducing terminus of the blood type-determining A-antigen and as the initial point of attachment to the peptide backbone in mucin-type O-glycans. However, despite their ubiquity in saccharolytic microbe-rich environments such as the human gut, relatively few α-N-acetylgalactosaminidases are known. Here, to discover and characterize novel microbial enzymes that hydrolyze α-GalNAc, we screened small-insert libraries containing metagenomic DNA from the human gut microbiome. Using a simple fluorogenic glycoside substrate, we identified and characterized a glycoside hydrolase 109 (GH109) that is active on blood type A-antigen, along with a new subfamily of glycoside hydrolase 31 (GH31) that specifically cleaves the initial α-GalNAc from mucin-type O-glycans. This represents a new activity in this GH family and a potentially useful new enzyme class for analysis or modification of O-glycans on protein or cell surfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Rahfeld
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada .,Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Jacob F Wardman
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z4, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Life Sciences Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Kevin Mehr
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada.,Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Drew Huff
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada.,Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Connor Morgan-Lang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, Life Sciences Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada.,Graduate Program in Bioinformatics, University of British Columbia, Genome Sciences Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 4S6, Canada
| | - Hong-Ming Chen
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Steven J Hallam
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of British Columbia, Life Sciences Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada.,Graduate Program in Bioinformatics, University of British Columbia, Genome Sciences Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 4S6, Canada.,ECOSCOPE Training Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada.,Peter Wall Institute for Advanced Studies, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z1, Canada
| | - Stephen G Withers
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada .,Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z4, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Life Sciences Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada
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6
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An enzymatic pathway in the human gut microbiome that converts A to universal O type blood. Nat Microbiol 2019; 4:1475-1485. [DOI: 10.1038/s41564-019-0469-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2018] [Accepted: 04/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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7
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Armstrong Z, Liu F, Chen HM, Hallam SJ, Withers SG. Systematic Screening of Synthetic Gene-Encoded Enzymes for Synthesis of Modified Glycosides. ACS Catal 2019. [DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.8b05179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Zachary Armstrong
- Genome Science and Technology Program, University of British Columbia, 2329 West Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 1Z4
| | - Feng Liu
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, 2036 Main Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 1Z1
| | - Hong-Ming Chen
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, 2036 Main Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 1Z1
| | - Steven J. Hallam
- Genome Science and Technology Program, University of British Columbia, 2329 West Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 1Z4
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 1Z1
- Graduate Program in Bioinformatics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 1Z4
| | - Stephen G. Withers
- Genome Science and Technology Program, University of British Columbia, 2329 West Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 1Z4
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, 2036 Main Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 1Z1
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8
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Chen HM, Withers SG. Synthesis of azido-deoxy and amino-deoxy glycosides and glycosyl fluorides for screening of glycosidase libraries and assembly of substituted glycosides. Carbohydr Res 2018; 467:33-44. [DOI: 10.1016/j.carres.2018.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2018] [Revised: 07/13/2018] [Accepted: 07/16/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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9
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Nasseri SA, Betschart L, Opaleva D, Rahfeld P, Withers SG. A Mechanism-Based Approach to Screening Metagenomic Libraries for Discovery of Unconventional Glycosidases. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2018; 57:11359-11364. [PMID: 30001477 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201806792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2018] [Revised: 07/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Functional metagenomics has opened new opportunities for enzyme discovery. To exploit the full potential of this new tool, the design of selective screens is essential, especially when searching for rare enzymes. To identify novel glycosidases that employ cleavage strategies other than the conventional Koshland mechanisms, a suitable screen was needed. Focusing on the unsaturated glucuronidases (UGLs), it was found that use of simple aryl glycoside substrates did not allow sufficient discrimination against β-glucuronidases, which are widespread in bacteria. While conventional glycosidases cannot generally hydrolyze thioglycosides efficiently, UGLs follow a distinct mechanism that allows them to do so. Thus, fluorogenic thioglycoside substrates featuring thiol-based self-immolative linkers were synthesized and assessed as selective substrates. The generality of the approach was validated with another family of unconventional glycosidases, the GH4 enzymes. Finally, the utility of these substrates was tested by screening a small metagenomic library.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyed Amirhossein Nasseri
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z1, Canada
| | - Leo Betschart
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z1, Canada
| | - Daria Opaleva
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z1, Canada
| | - Peter Rahfeld
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z1, Canada
| | - Stephen G Withers
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z1, Canada
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10
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Nasseri SA, Betschart L, Opaleva D, Rahfeld P, Withers SG. A Mechanism-Based Approach to Screening Metagenomic Libraries for Discovery of Unconventional Glycosidases. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201806792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Leo Betschart
- Department of Chemistry; University of British Columbia; Vancouver British Columbia V6T 1Z1 Canada
| | - Daria Opaleva
- Department of Chemistry; University of British Columbia; Vancouver British Columbia V6T 1Z1 Canada
| | - Peter Rahfeld
- Department of Chemistry; University of British Columbia; Vancouver British Columbia V6T 1Z1 Canada
| | - Stephen G. Withers
- Department of Chemistry; University of British Columbia; Vancouver British Columbia V6T 1Z1 Canada
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