Properties and gene structure of a bifunctional cellulolytic enzyme (CelA) from the extreme thermophile 'Anaerocellum thermophilum' with separate glycosyl hydrolase family 9 and 48 catalytic domains

A processive GH9 family endoglucanase of Bacillus licheniformis and the role of its carbohydrate-binding domain

One of the critical steps in lignocellulosic deconstruction is the hydrolysis of crystalline cellulose by cellulases. Endoglucanases initially facilitate the breakdown of cellulose in lignocellulosic biomass and are further aided by other cellulases to produce fermentable sugars. Furthermore, if the endoglucanase is processive, it can adsorb to the smooth surface of crystalline cellulose and release soluble sugars during repeated cycles of catalysis before dissociating. Most glycoside hydrolase family 9 (GH9) endoglucanases have catalytic domains linked to a CBM (carbohydrate-binding module) (mostly CBM3) and present the second-largest cellulase family after GH5. GH9 endoglucanases are relatively less characterized. Bacillus licheniformis is a mesophilic soil bacterium containing many glycoside hydrolase (GH) enzymes. We identified an endoglucanase gene, gh9A, encoding the GH9 family enzyme H1AD14 in B. licheniformis and cloned and overexpressed H1AD14 in Escherichia coli. The purified H1AD14 exhibited very high enzymatic activity on endoglucanase substrates, such as β-glucan, lichenan, Avicel, CMC-Na (sodium carboxymethyl cellulose) and PASC (phosphoric acid swollen cellulose), across a wide pH range. The enzyme is tolerant to 2 M sodium chloride and retains 74% specific activity on CMC after 10 days, the highest amongst the reported GH9 endoglucanases. The full-length H1AD14 is a processive endoglucanase and efficiently saccharified sugarcane bagasse. The deletion of the CBM reduces the catalytic activity and processivity. The results add to the sparse knowledge of GH9 endoglucanases and offer the possibility of characterizing and engineering additional enzymes from B. licheniformis toward developing a cellulase cocktail for improved biomass deconstruction. KEY POINTS: • H1AD14 is a highly active and processive GH9 endoglucanase from B. licheniformis. • H1AD14 is thermostable and has a very long half-life. • H1AD14 showed higher saccharification efficiency than commercial endoglucanase.

Defining the Frontiers of Synergism between Cellulolytic Enzymes for Improved Hydrolysis of Lignocellulosic Feedstocks

Lignocellulose has economic potential as a bio-resource for the production of value-added products (VAPs) and biofuels. The commercialization of biofuels and VAPs requires efficient enzyme cocktail activities that can lower their costs. However, the basis of the synergism between enzymes that compose cellulolytic enzyme cocktails for depolymerizing lignocellulose is not understood. This review aims to address the degree of synergism (DS) thresholds between the cellulolytic enzymes and how this can be used in the formulation of effective cellulolytic enzyme cocktails. DS is a powerful tool that distinguishes between enzymes’ synergism and anti-synergism during the hydrolysis of biomass. It has been established that cellulases, or cellulases and lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs), always synergize during cellulose hydrolysis. However, recent evidence suggests that this is not always the case, as synergism depends on the specific mechanism of action of each enzyme in the combination. Additionally, expansins, nonenzymatic proteins responsible for loosening cell wall fibers, seem to also synergize with cellulases during biomass depolymerization. This review highlighted the following four key factors linked to DS: (1) a DS threshold at which the enzymes synergize and produce a higher product yield than their theoretical sum, (2) a DS threshold at which the enzymes display synergism, but not a higher product yield, (3) a DS threshold at which enzymes do not synergize, and (4) a DS threshold that displays anti-synergy. This review deconvolutes the DS concept for cellulolytic enzymes, to postulate an experimental design approach for achieving higher synergism and cellulose conversion yields.

Development of a compound microbial agent beneficial to the composting of Chinese medicinal herbal residues

This study was aimed at developing a compound microbial agent to facilitate the composting of Chinese medicinal herbal residues (CMHRs). Different microbial agents were inoculated into a mixture of CMHRs, sheep manure, and biochar and composted for 42 days. The results demonstrated that the compound microbial agent (K1 + P1 + N4) inoculated in T1 can extend the thermophilic period during composting. Compared with control check (CK), the total nutrient contents of the vaccinated groups increased by 5.45-28.54%, and T1 had the highest value. The total organic carbon degradation rate and germination index of T1 were 1.95 and 1.03 times higher than those of the control. Moreover, significant increases in the abundance and diversity of the microbial community were also found in T1. Consequently, using K1 + P1 + N4 as a microbial agent for the composting of CMHRs is recommended, and this research provides a new idea to solve the problem of waste of CMHRs.

Role of extremophiles and their extremozymes in biorefinery process of lignocellulose degradation

Technological advances in the field of life sciences have led to discovery of organisms that live in harsh environmental conditions referred to as extremophiles. These organisms have adapted themselves to thrive in extreme habitat giving these organisms an advantage over conventional mesophilic organisms in various industrial applications. Extremozymes produced by these extremophiles have high tolerance to inhospitable environmental conditions making them an ideal enzyme system for various industrial processes. A notable application of these extremophiles and extremozymes is their use in the degradation of recalcitrant lignocellulosic biomass and application in biorefineries. For maximum utilization of the trapped carbon source from this obstinate biomass, pretreatment is a necessary step that requires various physiochemical and enzymatic treatments. From search for novel extremophiles and extremozymes to development of various genetic and protein engineering techniques, investigation on extremozymes with enhanced stability and efficiency is been done. Since extremozymes are easily calibrated to work under such conditions, they have become an emerging topic in the research field of biofuel production. The review discusses the various extremozymes that play an important role in lignocellulose degradation along with recent studies on their molecular and genetic evolution for industrial application and production of biofuels and various value-added products.

PUL-Mediated Plant Cell Wall Polysaccharide Utilization in the Gut Bacteroidetes

Plant cell wall polysaccharides (PCWP) are abundantly present in the food of humans and feed of livestock. Mammalians by themselves cannot degrade PCWP but rather depend on microbes resident in the gut intestine for deconstruction. The dominant Bacteroidetes in the gut microbial community are such bacteria with PCWP-degrading ability. The polysaccharide utilization systems (PUL) responsible for PCWP degradation and utilization are a prominent feature of Bacteroidetes. In recent years, there have been tremendous efforts in elucidating how PULs assist Bacteroidetes to assimilate carbon and acquire energy from PCWP. Here, we will review the PUL-mediated plant cell wall polysaccharides utilization in the gut Bacteroidetes focusing on cellulose, xylan, mannan, and pectin utilization and discuss how the mechanisms can be exploited to modulate the gut microbiota.

New thermostable endoglucanase from Spirochaeta thermophila and its mutants with altered substrate preferences

Endoglucanases are key elements in several industrial applications, such as cellulosic biomass hydrolysis, cellulose fiber modification for the production paper and composite materials, and in nanocellulose production. In all of these applications, the desired function of the endoglucanase is to create nicks in the amorphous regions of the cellulose. However, endoglucanase can be diverted from its activity on the fibers by other substrates-soluble oligosaccharides. This issue was addressed in the current study using enzyme engineering and an enzyme evolution approach. To this end, a hypothetical endoglucanase from a thermostable bacterium Spirochaeta thermophila was for the first time cloned and characterized. The wild-type enzyme was used as a starting point for mutagenesis and molecular evolution toward a preference for the higher molecular weight substrates. The best of the evolved enzymes was more active than the wild-type enzyme toward high molecular weight substrate at temperatures below 45 °C (3-fold more active at 30 °C) and showed little or no activity with low molecular weight substrates. These findings can be instrumental in bioeconomy sectors, such as second-generation biofuels and biomaterials from lignocellulosic biomass. KEY POINTS: • A new thermostable endoglucanase was characterized. • The substrate specificity of this endoglucanase was changed by means of genetic engineering. • A mutant with a preference for long molecular weight substrate was obtained and proposed to be beneficial for cellulose fiber modification.

Nitrogen-fixing Ability and Nitrogen Fixation-related Genes of Thermophilic Fermentative Bacteria in the Genus Caldicellulosiruptor

Fermentative nitrogen-fixing bacteria have not yet been examined in detail in thermal environments. In the present study, we isolated the thermophilic fermentative bacterium, strain YA01 from a hot spring. This strain grew at temperatures up to 78°C. A phylogenetic analysis based on its 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that strain YA01 belonged to the genus Caldicellulosiruptor, which are fermentative bacteria in the phylum Firmicutes, with 97.7–98.0% sequence identity to its closest relatives. Strain YA01 clearly exhibited N₂-dependent growth at 70°C. We also confirmed N₂-dependent growth in the relatives of strain YA01, Caldicellulosiruptor hydrothermalis 108 and Caldicellulosiruptor kronotskyensis 2002. The nitrogenase activities of these three strains were examined using the acetylene reduction assay. Similar activities were detected for all tested strains, and were slightly suppressed by the addition of ammonium. A genome analysis revealed that strain YA01, as well as other Caldicellulosiruptor, possessed a gene set for nitrogen fixation, but lacked the nifN gene, which encodes a nitrogenase iron-molybdenum cofactor biosynthesis protein that is commonly detected in nitrogen-fixing bacteria. The amino acid sequences of nitrogenase encoded by nifH, nifD, and nifK shared 92–98% similarity in Caldicellulosiruptor. A phylogenetic tree of concatenated NifHDK sequences showed that NifHDK of Caldicellulosiruptor was in the deepest clade. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate the nitrogen-fixing ability of fermentative bacteria at 70°C. Caldicellulosiruptor may have retained an ancient nitrogen-fixing enzyme system.

Co-composting of sewage sludge and Phragmites australis using different insulating strategies

Insulating strategies are indispensable for laboratory-scale composting reactors, however, current insulation methods interfere with the aerobic fermentation behaviors related to composting. To address this issue, a centre-oriented real-time temperature compensation strategy was designed in this study. Five 9 L reactors (R1-R5) with different insulation strategies were used for the co-composting of dewatered sludge and Phragmites australis and compared. The process performance was assessed by monitoring the temperature, O₂ and CO₂ emissions, the physical-chemical properties of the composting materials were evaluated by measuring the organic matter (OM), carbon nitrogen ratio (C/N), pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and fluorescence excitation-emission matrix (EEM) spectra. And a 16S rDNA analysis was used to quantify the evolution of bacterial community. The main findings are as follows. Compared with R1 as a control, the insulating strategies can increase the maximum temperature and prolong the thermophilic phase of composting. Comparing R1 and R3 showed that real-time temperature compensation can better restore the real fermentation of the compost. The results showed that R5 had the best composting effect, reaching 69.8 °C, which was 25.1%, 29.7%, 19.3%, and 17.3% higher than R1, R2, R3, and R4, respectively, and remaining in the thermophilic phase for 4.24 d, which is 1.4, 1.5, 1.3, and 0.2 times longer than R1, R2, R3, and R4, respectively. Furthermore, it can significantly reduce the temperature difference between the centre and edge of the reactor, which improved the composting material allocation efficiency and composting process control accuracy, further providing a basis for the actual full-scale composting operation.

Insights into Thermophilic Plant Biomass Hydrolysis from Caldicellulosiruptor Systems Biology

Plant polysaccharides continue to serve as a promising feedstock for bioproduct fermentation. However, the recalcitrant nature of plant biomass requires certain key enzymes, including cellobiohydrolases, for efficient solubilization of polysaccharides. Thermostable carbohydrate-active enzymes are sought for their stability and tolerance to other process parameters. Plant biomass degrading microbes found in biotopes like geothermally heated water sources, compost piles, and thermophilic digesters are a common source of thermostable enzymes. While traditional thermophilic enzyme discovery first focused on microbe isolation followed by functional characterization, metagenomic sequences are negating the initial need for species isolation. Here, we summarize the current state of knowledge about the extremely thermophilic genus Caldicellulosiruptor, including genomic and metagenomic analyses in addition to recent breakthroughs in enzymology and genetic manipulation of the genus. Ten years after completing the first Caldicellulosiruptor genome sequence, the tools required for systems biology of this non-model environmental microorganism are in place.

The GH10 and GH48 dual-functional catalytic domains from a multimodular glycoside hydrolase synergize in hydrolyzing both cellulose and xylan

BACKGROUND

Regarding plant cell wall polysaccharides degradation, multimodular glycoside hydrolases (GHs) with two catalytic domains separated by one or multiple carbohydrate-binding domains are rare in nature. This special mode of domain organization endows the Caldicellulosiruptor bescii CelA (GH9-CBM3c-CBM3b-CBM3b-GH48) remarkably high efficiency in hydrolyzing cellulose. CbXyn10C/Cel48B from the same bacterium is also such an enzyme which has, however, evolved to target both xylan and cellulose. Intriguingly, the GH10 endoxylanase and GH48 cellobiohydrolase domains are both dual functional, raising the question if they can act synergistically in hydrolyzing cellulose and xylan, the two major components of plant cell wall.

RESULTS

In this study, we discovered that CbXyn10C and CbCel48B, which stood for the N- and C-terminal catalytic domains, respectively, cooperatively released much more cellobiose and cellotriose from cellulose. In addition, they displayed intramolecular synergy but only at the early stage of xylan hydrolysis by generating higher amounts of xylooligosaccharides including xylotriose, xylotetraose, and xylobiose. When complex lignocellulose corn straw was used as the substrate, the synergy was found only for cellulose but not xylan hydrolysis.

CONCLUSION

This is the first report to reveal the synergy between a GH10 and a GH48 domain. The synergy discovered in this study is helpful for understanding how C. bescii captures energy from these recalcitrant plant cell wall polysaccharides. The insight also sheds light on designing robust and multi-functional enzymes for plant cell wall polysaccharides degradation.

Identification and characterization of a hyperthermophilic GH9 cellulase from the Arctic Mid-Ocean Ridge vent field

A novel GH9 cellulase (AMOR_GH9A) was discovered by sequence-based mining of a unique metagenomic dataset collected at the Jan Mayen hydrothermal vent field. AMOR_GH9A comprises a signal peptide, a catalytic domain and a CBM3 cellulose-binding module. AMOR_GH9A is an exceptionally stable enzyme with a temperature optimum around 100°C and an apparent melting temperature of 105°C. The novel cellulase retains 64% of its activity after 4 hours of incubation at 95°C. The closest characterized homolog of AMOR_GH9A is TfCel9A, a processive endocellulase from the model thermophilic bacterium Thermobifida fusca (64.2% sequence identity). Direct comparison of AMOR_GH9A and TfCel9A revealed that AMOR_GH9A possesses higher activity on soluble and amorphous substrates (phosphoric acid swollen cellulose, konjac glucomannan) and has an ability to hydrolyse xylan that is lacking in TfCel9A.

Engineering Geobacillus thermoglucosidasius for direct utilisation of holocellulose from wheat straw

BACKGROUND

A consolidated bioprocessing (CBP), where lignocellulose is converted into the desired product(s) in a single fermentative step without the addition of expensive degradative enzymes, represents the ideal solution of renewable routes to chemicals and fuels. Members of the genus Geobacillus are able to grow at elevated temperatures and are able to utilise a wide range of oligosaccharides derived from lignocellulose. This makes them ideally suited to the development of CBP.

RESULTS

In this study, we engineered Geobacillus thermoglucosidasius NCIMB 11955 to utilise lignocellulosic biomass, in the form of nitric acid/ammonia treated wheat straw to which expensive hydrolytic enzymes had not been added. Two different strains, BZ9 and BZ10, were generated by integrating the cglT (β-1,4-glucosidase) gene from Thermoanaerobacter brockii into the genome, and localising genes encoding different cellulolytic enzymes on autonomous plasmids. The plasmid of strain BZ10 carried a synthetic cellulosomal operon comprising the celA (Endoglucanase A) gene from Clostridium thermocellum and cel6B (Exoglucanase) from Thermobifida fusca; whereas, strain BZ9 contained a plasmid encoding the celA (multidomain cellulase) gene from Caldicellulosiruptor bescii. All of the genes were successfully expressed, and their encoded products secreted in a functionally active form, as evidenced by their detection in culture supernatants by Western blotting and enzymatic assay. In the case of the C. bescii CelA enzyme, this is one of the first times that the heterologous production of this multi-functional enzyme has been achieved in a heterologous host. Both strains (BZ9 and BZ10) exhibited improved growth on pre-treated wheat straw, achieving a higher final OD600 and producing greater numbers of viable cells. To demonstrate that cellulosic ethanol can be produced directly from lignocellulosic biomass by a single organism, we established our consortium of hydrolytic enzymes in a previously engineered ethanologenic G. thermoglucosidasius strain, LS242. We observed approximately twofold and 1.6-fold increase in ethanol production in the recombinant G. thermoglucosidasius equivalent to BZ9 and BZ10, respectively, compared to G. thermoglucosidasius LS242 strain at 24 h of growth.

CONCLUSION

We engineered G. thermoglucosidasius to utilise a real-world lignocellulosic biomass substrate and demonstrated that cellulosic ethanol can be produced directly from lignocellulosic biomass in one step. Direct conversion of biomass into desired products represents a new paradigm for CBP, offering the potential for carbon neutral, cost-effective production of sustainable chemicals and fuels.

Genomic and physiological analyses reveal that extremely thermophilic Caldicellulosiruptor changbaiensis deploys uncommon cellulose attachment mechanisms

The genus Caldicellulosiruptor is comprised of extremely thermophilic, heterotrophic anaerobes that degrade plant biomass using modular, multifunctional enzymes. Prior pangenome analyses determined that this genus is genetically diverse, with the current pangenome remaining open, meaning that new genes are expected with each additional genome sequence added. Given the high biodiversity observed among the genus Caldicellulosiruptor, we have sequenced and added a 14th species, Caldicellulosiruptor changbaiensis, to the pangenome. The pangenome now includes 3791 ortholog clusters, 120 of which are unique to C. changbaiensis and may be involved in plant biomass degradation. Comparisons between C. changbaiensis and Caldicellulosiruptor bescii on the basis of growth kinetics, cellulose solubilization and cell attachment to polysaccharides highlighted physiological differences between the two species which are supported by their respective gene inventories. Most significantly, these comparisons indicated that C. changbaiensis possesses uncommon cellulose attachment mechanisms not observed among the other strongly cellulolytic members of the genus Caldicellulosiruptor.

Creation of a functional hyperthermostable designer cellulosome

BACKGROUND

Renewable energy has become a field of high interest over the past decade, and production of biofuels from cellulosic substrates has a particularly high potential as an alternative source of energy. Industrial deconstruction of biomass, however, is an onerous, exothermic process, the cost of which could be decreased significantly by use of hyperthermophilic enzymes. An efficient way of breaking down cellulosic substrates can also be achieved by highly efficient enzymatic complexes called cellulosomes. The modular architecture of these multi-enzyme complexes results in substrate targeting and proximity-based synergy among the resident enzymes. However, cellulosomes have not been observed in hyperthermophilic bacteria.

RESULTS

Here, we report the design and function of a novel hyperthermostable "designer cellulosome" system, which is stable and active at 75 °C. Enzymes from Caldicellulosiruptor bescii, a highly cellulolytic hyperthermophilic anaerobic bacterium, were selected and successfully converted to the cellulosomal mode by grafting onto them divergent dockerin modules that can be inserted in a precise manner into a thermostable chimaeric scaffoldin by virtue of their matching cohesins. Three pairs of cohesins and dockerins, selected from thermophilic microbes, were examined for their stability at extreme temperatures and were determined stable at 75 °C for at least 72 h. The resultant hyperthermostable cellulosome complex exhibited the highest levels of enzymatic activity on microcrystalline cellulose at 75 °C, compared to those of previously reported designer cellulosome systems and the native cellulosome from Clostridium thermocellum.

CONCLUSION

The functional hyperthermophilic platform fulfills the appropriate physico-chemical properties required for exothermic processes. This system can thus be adapted for other types of thermostable enzyme systems and could serve as a basis for a variety of cellulolytic and non-cellulolytic industrial objectives at high temperatures.

Comparative Biochemical and Structural Analysis of Novel Cellulose Binding Proteins (Tāpirins) from Extremely Thermophilic Caldicellulosiruptor Species

Genomes of extremely thermophilic Caldicellulosiruptor species encode novel cellulose binding proteins, called tāpirins, located proximate to the type IV pilus locus. The C-terminal domain of Caldicellulosiruptor kronotskyensis tāpirin 0844 (Calkro_0844) is structurally unique and has a cellulose binding affinity akin to that seen with family 3 carbohydrate binding modules (CBM3s). Here, full-length and C-terminal versions of tāpirins from Caldicellulosiruptor bescii (Athe_1870), Caldicellulosiruptor hydrothermalis (Calhy_0908), Caldicellulosiruptor kristjanssonii (Calkr_0826), and Caldicellulosiruptor naganoensis (NA10_0869) were produced recombinantly in Escherichia coli and compared to Calkro_0844. All five tāpirins bound to microcrystalline cellulose, switchgrass, poplar, and filter paper but not to xylan. Densitometry analysis of bound protein fractions visualized by SDS-PAGE revealed that Calhy_0908 and Calkr_0826 (from weakly cellulolytic species) associated with the cellulose substrates to a greater extent than Athe_1870, Calkro_0844, and NA10_0869 (from strongly cellulolytic species). Perhaps this relates to their specific needs to capture glucans released from lignocellulose by cellulases produced in Caldicellulosiruptor communities. Calkro_0844 and NA10_0869 share a higher degree of amino acid sequence identity (>80% identity) with each other than either does with Athe_1870 (∼50%). The levels of amino acid sequence identity of Calhy_0908 and Calkr_0826 to Calkro_0844 were only 16% and 36%, respectively, although the three-dimensional structures of their C-terminal binding regions were closely related. Unlike the parent strain, C. bescii mutants lacking the tāpirin genes did not bind to cellulose following short-term incubation, suggesting a role in cell association with plant biomass. Given the scarcity of carbohydrates in neutral terrestrial hot springs, tāpirins likely help scavenge carbohydrates from lignocellulose to support growth and survival of Caldicellulosiruptor species.IMPORTANCE The mechanisms by which microorganisms attach to and degrade lignocellulose are important to understand if effective approaches for conversion of plant biomass into fuels and chemicals are to be developed. Caldicellulosiruptor species grow on carbohydrates from lignocellulose at elevated temperatures and have biotechnological significance for that reason. Novel cellulose binding proteins, called tāpirins, are involved in the way that Caldicellulosiruptor species interact with microcrystalline cellulose, and additional information about the diversity of these proteins across the genus, including binding affinity and three-dimensional structural comparisons, is provided here.

Cellulases from Thermophiles Found by Metagenomics

Cellulases are a heterogeneous group of enzymes that synergistically catalyze the hydrolysis of cellulose, the major component of plant biomass. Such reaction has biotechnological applications in a broad spectrum of industries, where they can provide a more sustainable model of production. As a prerequisite for their implementation, these enzymes need to be able to operate in the conditions the industrial process requires. Thus, cellulases retrieved from extremophiles, and more specifically those of thermophiles, are likely to be more appropriate for industrial needs in which high temperatures are involved. Metagenomics, the study of genes and gene products from the whole community genomic DNA present in an environmental sample, is a powerful tool for bioprospecting in search of novel enzymes. In this review, we describe the cellulolytic systems, we summarize their biotechnological applications, and we discuss the strategies adopted in the field of metagenomics for the discovery of new cellulases, focusing on those of thermophilic microorganisms.

Improvement of biochar and bacterial powder addition on gaseous emission and bacterial community in pig manure compost

Effect of bamboo biochar (BC) combined with two bacterial powders (B) on gaseous emission and variety of bacterial community during pig manure (PM) composting was investigated. The results showed that treatments of BC, BC + B1 and BC + B2 can reduce peak gaseous emission by 54%, 80% and 69% for CH₄, respectively, while 37%, 45% and 45% for N₂O, respectively, and 13%, 19% and 26% for NH₃, respectively. The evolution of the bacterial community quantified with 16S rDNA analysis showed that in the thermophile stage, total relative abundance percentage of bacterial phyla of Firmicutes and Proteobacteria reached 97%, 97%, 93% and 96% for CK, BC, BC + B1 and BC + B2, respectively. Effects of BC on the compost bacterial community variation analysis proved bacterial activity in the thermophile stage was controlled by the content of dissolved organic carbon and temperature of the compost mixture, while electrical conductivity and total kjeldahl nitrogen also influenced compost maturity stage.

Deletion of a single glycosyltransferase in Caldicellulosiruptor bescii eliminates protein glycosylation and growth on crystalline cellulose

Protein glycosylation pathways have been identified in a variety of bacteria and are best understood in pathogens and commensals in which the glycosylation targets are cell surface proteins, such as S layers, pili, and flagella. In contrast, very little is known about the glycosylation of bacterial enzymes, especially those secreted by cellulolytic bacteria. Caldicellulosiruptor bescii secretes several unique synergistic multifunctional biomass-degrading enzymes, notably cellulase A which is largely responsible for this organism's ability to grow on lignocellulosic biomass without the conventional pretreatment. It was recently discovered that extracellular CelA is heavily glycosylated. In this work, we identified an O-glycosyltransferase in the C. bescii chromosome and targeted it for deletion. The resulting mutant was unable to grow on crystalline cellulose and showed no detectable protein glycosylation. Multifunctional biomass-degrading enzymes in this strain were rapidly degraded. With the genetic tools available in C. bescii, this system represents a unique opportunity to study the role of bacterial enzyme glycosylation as well an investigation of the pathway for protein glycosylation in a non-pathogen.

The diversity and specificity of the extracellular proteome in the cellulolytic bacterium Caldicellulosiruptor bescii is driven by the nature of the cellulosic growth substrate

BACKGROUND

Caldicellulosiruptor bescii is a thermophilic cellulolytic bacterium that efficiently deconstructs lignocellulosic biomass into sugars, which subsequently can be fermented into alcohols, such as ethanol, and other products. Deconstruction of complex substrates by C. bescii involves a myriad of highly abundant, substrate-specific extracellular solute binding proteins (ESBPs) and carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) containing carbohydrate-binding modules (CBMs). Mass spectrometry-based proteomics was employed to investigate how these substrate recognition proteins and enzymes vary as a function of lignocellulosic substrates.

RESULTS

Proteomic analysis revealed several key extracellular proteins that respond specifically to either C5 or C6 mono- and polysaccharides. These include proteins of unknown functions (PUFs), ESBPs, and CAZymes. ESBPs that were previously shown to interact more efficiently with hemicellulose and pectin were detected in high abundance during growth on complex C5 substrates, such as switchgrass and xylan. Some proteins, such as Athe_0614 and Athe_2368, whose functions are not well defined were predicted to be involved in xylan utilization and ABC transport and were significantly more abundant in complex and C5 substrates, respectively. The proteins encoded by the entire glucan degradation locus (GDL; Athe_1857, 1859, 1860, 1865, 1867, and 1866) were highly abundant under all growth conditions, particularly when C. bescii was grown on cellobiose, switchgrass, or xylan. In contrast, the glycoside hydrolases Athe_0609 (Pullulanase) and 0610, which both possess CBM20 and a starch binding domain, appear preferential to C5/complex substrate deconstruction. Some PUFs, such as Athe_2463 and 2464, were detected as highly abundant when grown on C5 substrates (xylan and xylose), also suggesting C5-substrate specificity.

CONCLUSIONS

This study reveals the protein membership of the C. bescii secretome and demonstrates its plasticity based on the complexity (mono-/disaccharides vs. polysaccharides) and type of carbon (C5 vs. C6) available to the microorganism. The presence or increased abundance of extracellular proteins as a response to specific substrates helps to further elucidate C. bescii's utilization and conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to biofuel and other valuable products. This includes improved characterization of extracellular proteins that lack discrete functional roles and are poorly/not annotated.

Functional Analysis of the Glucan Degradation Locus in Caldicellulosiruptor bescii Reveals Essential Roles of Component Glycoside Hydrolases in Plant Biomass Deconstruction

The ability to hydrolyze microcrystalline cellulose is an uncommon feature in the microbial world, but it can be exploited for conversion of lignocellulosic feedstocks into biobased fuels and chemicals. Understanding the physiological and biochemical mechanisms by which microorganisms deconstruct cellulosic material is key to achieving this objective. The glucan degradation locus (GDL) in the genomes of extremely thermophilic Caldicellulosiruptor species encodes polysaccharide lyases (PLs), unique cellulose binding proteins (tāpirins), and putative posttranslational modifying enzymes, in addition to multidomain, multifunctional glycoside hydrolases (GHs), thereby representing an alternative paradigm for plant biomass degradation compared to fungal or cellulosomal systems. To examine the individual and collective in vivo roles of the glycolytic enzymes, the six GH genes in the GDL of Caldicellulosiruptor bescii were systematically deleted, and the extents to which the resulting mutant strains could solubilize microcrystalline cellulose (Avicel) and plant biomass (switchgrass or poplar) were examined. Three of the GDL enzymes, Athe_1867 (CelA) (GH9-CBM3-CBM3-CBM3-GH48), Athe_1859 (GH5-CBM3-CBM3-GH44), and Athe_1857 (GH10-CBM3-CBM3-GH48), acted synergistically in vivo and accounted for 92% of naked microcrystalline cellulose (Avicel) degradation. However, the relative importance of the GDL GHs varied for the plant biomass substrates tested. Furthermore, mixed cultures of mutant strains showed that switchgrass solubilization depended on the secretome-bound enzymes collectively produced by the culture, not on the specific strain from which they came. These results demonstrate that certain GDL GHs are primarily responsible for the degradation of microcrystalline cellulose-containing substrates by C. bescii and provide new insights into the workings of a novel microbial mechanism for lignocellulose utilization.IMPORTANCE The efficient and extensive degradation of complex polysaccharides in lignocellulosic biomass, particularly microcrystalline cellulose, remains a major barrier to its use as a renewable feedstock for the production of fuels and chemicals. Extremely thermophilic bacteria from the genus Caldicellulosiruptor rapidly degrade plant biomass to fermentable sugars at temperatures of 70 to 78°C, although the specific mechanism by which this occurs is not clear. Previous comparative genomic studies identified a genomic locus found only in certain Caldicellulosiruptor species that was hypothesized to be mainly responsible for microcrystalline cellulose degradation. By systematically deleting genes in this locus in Caldicellulosiruptor bescii, the nuanced, substrate-specific in vivo roles of glycolytic enzymes in deconstructing crystalline cellulose and plant biomasses could be discerned. The results here point to synergism of three multidomain cellulases in C. bescii, working in conjunction with the aggregate secreted enzyme inventory, as the key to the plant biomass degradation ability of this extreme thermophile.

Insights into the roles of non-catalytic residues in the active site of a GH10 xylanase with activity on cellulose

Bifunctional glycoside hydrolases have potential for cost-savings in enzymatic decomposition of plant cell wall polysaccharides for biofuels and bio-based chemicals. The N-terminal GH10 domain of a bifunctional multimodular enzyme CbXyn10C/Cel48B from Caldicellulosiruptor bescii is an enzyme able to degrade xylan and cellulose simultaneously. However, the molecular mechanism underlying its substrate promiscuity has not been elucidated. Herein, we discovered that the binding cleft of CbXyn10C would have at least six sugar-binding subsites by using isothermal titration calorimetry analysis of the inactive E140Q/E248Q mutant with xylo- and cello-oligosaccharides. This was confirmed by determining the catalytic efficiency of the wild-type enzyme on these oligosaccharides. The free form and complex structures of CbXyn10C with xylose- or glucose-configured oligosaccharide ligands were further obtained by crystallographic analysis and molecular modeling and docking. CbXyn10C was found to have a typical (β/α)8-TIM barrel fold and "salad-bowl" shape of GH10 enzymes. In complex structures with xylo-oligosaccharides, seven sugar-binding subsites were found, and many residues responsible for substrate interactions were identified. Site-directed mutagenesis indicated that 6 and 10 amino acid residues were key residues for xylan and cellulose hydrolysis, respectively. The most important residues are centered on subsites -2 and -1 near the cleavage site, whereas residues playing moderate roles could be located at more distal regions of the binding cleft. Manipulating the residues interacting with substrates in the distal regions directly or indirectly improved the activity of CbXyn10C on xylan and cellulose. Most of the key residues for cellulase activity are conserved across GH10 xylanases. Revisiting randomly selected GH10 enzymes revealed unreported cellulase activity, indicating that the dual function may be a more common phenomenon than has been expected.

The Multi Domain Caldicellulosiruptor bescii CelA Cellulase Excels at the Hydrolysis of Crystalline Cellulose

The crystalline nature of cellulose microfibrils is one of the key factors influencing biomass recalcitrance which is a key technical and economic barrier to overcome to make cellulosic biofuels a commercial reality. To date, all known fungal enzymes tested have great difficulty degrading highly crystalline cellulosic substrates. We have demonstrated that the CelA cellulase from Caldicellulosiruptor bescii degrades highly crystalline cellulose as well as low crystallinity substrates making it the only known cellulase to function well on highly crystalline cellulose. Unlike the secretomes of cellulolytic fungi, which typically comprise multiple, single catalytic domain enzymes for biomass degradation, some bacterial systems employ an alternative strategy that utilizes multi-catalytic domain cellulases. Additionally, CelA is extremely thermostable and highly active at elevated temperatures, unlike commercial fungal cellulases. Furthermore we have determined that the factors negatively affecting digestion of lignocellulosic materials by C. bescii enzyme cocktails containing CelA appear to be significantly different from the performance barriers affecting fungal cellulases. Here, we explore the activity and degradation mechanism of CelA on a variety of pretreated substrates to better understand how the different bulk components of biomass, such as xylan and lignin, impact its performance.

Expression of Heterologous Cellulases in Thermotoga sp. Strain RQ2

The ability of Thermotoga spp. to degrade cellulose is limited due to a lack of exoglucanases. To address this deficiency, cellulase genes Csac_1076 (celA) and Csac_1078 (celB) from Caldicellulosiruptor saccharolyticus were cloned into T. sp. strain RQ2 for heterologous overexpression. Coding regions of Csac_1076 and Csac_1078 were fused to the signal peptide of TM1840 (amyA) and TM0070 (xynB), resulting in three chimeric enzymes, namely, TM1840-Csac_1078, TM0070-Csac_1078, and TM0070-Csac_1076, which were carried by Thermotoga-E. coli shuttle vectors pHX02, pHX04, and pHX07, respectively. All three recombinant enzymes were successfully expressed in E. coli DH5α and T. sp. strain RQ2, rendering the hosts with increased endo- and/or exoglucanase activities. In E. coli, the recombinant enzymes were mainly bound to the bacterial cells, whereas in T. sp. strain RQ2, about half of the enzyme activities were observed in the culture supernatants. However, the cellulase activities were lost in T. sp. strain RQ2 after three consecutive transfers. Nevertheless, this is the first time heterologous genes bigger than 1 kb (up to 5.3 kb in this study) have ever been expressed in Thermotoga, demonstrating the feasibility of using engineered Thermotoga spp. for efficient cellulose utilization.

The N-Terminal GH10 Domain of a Multimodular Protein from Caldicellulosiruptor bescii Is a Versatile Xylanase/β-Glucanase That Can Degrade Crystalline Cellulose

The genome of the thermophilic bacterium Caldicellulosiruptor bescii encodes three multimodular enzymes with identical C-terminal domain organizations containing two consecutive CBM3b modules and one glycoside hydrolase (GH) family 48 (GH48) catalytic module. However, the three proteins differ much in their N termini. Among these proteins, CelA (or C. bescii Cel9A [CbCel9A]/Cel48A) with a GH9/CBM3c binary partner in the N terminus has been shown to use a novel strategy to degrade crystalline cellulose, which leads to its outstanding cellulose-cleaving activity. Here we show that C. bescii Xyn10C (CbXyn10C), the N-terminal GH10 domain from CbXyn10C/Cel48B, can also degrade crystalline cellulose, in addition to heterogeneous xylans and barley β-glucan. The data from substrate competition assays, mutational studies, molecular modeling, and docking point analyses point to the existence of only one catalytic center in the bifunctional xylanase/β-glucanase. The specific activities of the recombinant CbXyn10C on Avicel and filter paper were comparable to those of GH9/CBM3c of the robust CelA expressed in Escherichia coli. Appending one or two cellulose-binding CBM3bs enhanced the activities of CbXyn10C in degrading crystalline celluloses, which were again comparable to those of the GH9/CBM3c-CBM3b-CBM3b truncation mutant of CelA. Since CbXyn10C/Cel48B and CelA have similar domain organizations and high sequence homology, the endocellulase activity observed in CbXyn10C leads us to speculate that CbXyn10C/Cel48B may use the same strategy that CelA uses to hydrolyze crystalline cellulose, thus helping the excellent crystalline cellulose degrader C. bescii acquire energy from the environment. In addition, we also demonstrate that CbXyn10C may be an interesting candidate enzyme for biotechnology due to its versatility in hydrolyzing multiple substrates with different glycosidic linkages.

Homologous expression of the Caldicellulosiruptor bescii CelA reveals that the extracellular protein is glycosylated

Members of the bacterial genus Caldicellulosiruptor are the most thermophilic cellulolytic microbes described with ability to digest lignocellulosic biomass without conventional pretreatment. The cellulolytic ability of different species varies dramatically and correlates with the presence of the multimodular cellulase CelA, which contains both a glycoside hydrolase family 9 endoglucanase and a glycoside hydrolase family 48 exoglucanase known to be synergistic in their activity, connected by three cellulose-binding domains via linker peptides. This architecture exploits the cellulose surface ablation driven by its general cellulase processivity as well as excavates cavities into the surface of the substrate, revealing a novel paradigm for cellulase activity. We recently reported that a deletion of celA in C. bescii had a significant effect on its ability to utilize complex biomass. To analyze the structure and function of CelA and its role in biomass deconstruction, we constructed a new expression vector for C. bescii and were able, for the first time, to express significant quantities of full-length protein in vivo in the native host. The protein, which contains a Histidine tag, was active and excreted from the cell. Expression of CelA protein with and without its signal sequence allowed comparison of protein retained intracellularly to protein transported extracellularly. Analysis of protein in culture supernatants revealed that the extracellular CelA protein is glycosylated whereas the intracellular CelA is not, suggesting that either protein transport is required for this post-translational modification or that glycosylation is required for protein export. The mechanism and role of protein glycosylation in bacteria is poorly understood and the ability to express CelA in vivo in C. bescii will allow the study of the mechanism of protein glycosylation in this thermophile. It will also allow the study of glycosylation of CelA itself and its role in the structure and function of this important enzyme in biomass deconstruction.

Expression of the Acidothermus cellulolyticus E1 endoglucanase in Caldicellulosiruptor bescii enhances its ability to deconstruct crystalline cellulose

BACKGROUND

The Caldicellulosiruptor bescii genome encodes a potent set of carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes), found primarily as multi-domain enzymes that exhibit high cellulolytic and hemicellulolytic activity on and allow utilization of a broad range of substrates, including plant biomass without conventional pretreatment. CelA, the most abundant cellulase in the C. bescii secretome, uniquely combines a GH9 endoglucanase and a GH48 exoglucanase in one protein. The most effective commercial enzyme cocktails used in vitro to pretreat biomass are derived from fungal cellulases (cellobiohydrolases, endoglucanases and a β-d-glucosidases) that act synergistically to release sugars for microbial conversion. The C. bescii genome contains six GH5 domains in five different open reading frames. Four exist in multi-domain proteins and two as single catalytic domains. E1 is a GH5 endoglucanase reported to have high specific activity and simple architecture and is active at the growth temperature of C. bescii. E1 is an endo-1,4-β-glucanase linked to a family 2 carbohydrate-binding module shown to bind primarily to cellulosic substrates. We tested if the addition of this protein to the C. bescii secretome would improve its cellulolytic activity.

RESULTS

In vitro analysis of E1 and CelA shows synergistic interaction. The E1 gene from Acidothermus cellulolyticus was cloned and expressed in C. bescii under the transcriptional control of the C. bescii S-layer promoter, and secretion was directed by the addition of the C. bescii CelA signal peptide sequence. The vector was integrated into the C. bescii chromosome at a site previously showing no detectable detrimental consequence. Increased activity of the secretome of the strain containing E1 was observed on both carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and Avicel. Activity against CMC increased on average 10.8 % at 65 °C and 12.6 % at 75 °C. Activity against Avicel increased on average 17.5 % at 65 °C and 16.4 % at 75 °C.

CONCLUSIONS

Expression and secretion of E1 in C. bescii enhanced the cellulolytic ability of its secretome. These data agree with in vitro evidence that E1 acts synergistically with CelA to digest cellulose and offer the possibility of engineering additional enzymes for improved biomass deconstruction with the knowledge that C. bescii can express a gene from Acidothermus, and perhaps other heterologous genes, effectively.

High temperature pre-digestion of corn stover biomass for improved product yields

INTRODUCTION

The efficient conversion of lignocellulosic feedstocks remains a key step in the commercialization of biofuels. One of the barriers to cost-effective conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to sugars remains the enzymatic saccharification process step. Here, we describe a novel hybrid processing approach comprising enzymatic pre-digestion with newly characterized hyperthermophilic enzyme cocktails followed by conventional saccharification with commercial enzyme preparations. Dilute acid pretreated corn stover was subjected to this new procedure to test its efficacy. Thermal tolerant enzymes from Acidothermus cellulolyticus and Caldicellulosiruptor bescii were used to pre-digest pretreated biomass at elevated temperatures prior to saccharification by the commercial cellulase formulation.

RESULTS

We report that pre-digestion of biomass with these enzymes at elevated temperatures prior to addition of the commercial cellulase formulation increased conversion rates and yields when compared to commercial cellulase formulation alone under low solids conditions.

CONCLUSION

Our results demonstrating improvements in rates and yields of conversion point the way forward for hybrid biomass conversion schemes utilizing catalytic amounts of hyperthermophilic enzymes.

Extracellular secretion of noncatalytic plant cell wall-binding proteins by the cellulolytic thermophile Caldicellulosiruptor bescii

Caldicellulosiruptor bescii efficiently degrades cellulose, xylan, and native grasses at high temperatures above 70°C under anaerobic conditions. C. bescii extracellularly secretes multidomain glycoside hydrolases along with proteins of unknown function. In this study, we analyzed the C. bescii proteins that bind to the cell walls of timothy grass by using mass spectrometry, and we identified four noncatalytic plant cell wall-binding proteins (PWBPs) with high pI values (9.2 to 9.6). A search of a conserved domain database showed that these proteins possess a common domain related to solute-binding proteins. In addition, 12 genes encoding PWBP-like proteins were detected in the C. bescii genomic sequence. To analyze the binding properties of PWBPs, recombinant PWBP57 and PWBP65, expressed in Escherichia coli, were prepared. The PWBPs displayed a wide range of binding specificities: they bound to cellulose, lichenan, xylan, arabinoxylan, glucuronoxylan, mannan, glucomannan, pectin, oligosaccharides, and the cell walls of timothy grass. The proteins showed the highest binding affinity for the plant cell wall, with association constant (Ka) values of 5.2 × 10(6) to 44 × 10(6) M(-1) among the insoluble polysaccharides tested, as measured using depletion binding isotherms. Affinity gel electrophoresis demonstrated that the proteins bound to the acidic polymer pectin most strongly among the soluble polysaccharides tested. Fluorescence microscopic analysis showed that the proteins bound preferentially to the cell wall in a section of grass leaf. Binding of noncatalytic PWBPs with high pI values might be necessary for efficient utilization of polysaccharides by C. bescii at high temperatures.

Genomics of cellulolytic bacteria

The heterogeneous plant biomass is efficiently decomposed by the interplay of a great number of different enzymes. The enzyme systems in cellulolytic bacteria have been investigated by sequencing and bioinformatic analysis of genomes from plant biomass degrading microorganisms with valuable insights into the variety of the involved enzymes. This broadened our understanding of the biochemical mechanisms of plant polymer degradation and made the enzymes applicable for modern biotechnology. A list of the truly cellulolytic bacteria described and the available genomic information was examined for proteins with cellulolytic and hemicellulolytic capability. The importance of the isolation, characterization and genomic sequencing of cellulolytic microorganisms and their usage for sustainable energy production from biomass and other residues, is emphasized.

Deletion of Caldicellulosiruptor bescii CelA reveals its crucial role in the deconstruction of lignocellulosic biomass

BACKGROUND

Members of the bacterial genus Caldicellulosiruptor are the most thermophilic cellulolytic organisms described to date, and have the ability to grow on lignocellulosic biomass without conventional pretreatment. Different species vary in their abilities to degrade cellulose, and the presence of CelA, a bifunctional glycoside hydrolase that contains a Family 48 and a Family 9 catalytic domain, correlates well with cellulolytic ability in members of this genus. For example, C. hydrothermalis, which does not contain a CelA homolog, or a GH48 Family or GH9 Family glycoside hydrolase, is the least cellulolytic of the Caldicellulosiruptor species so far described. C. bescii, which contains CelA and expresses it constitutively, is among the most cellulolytic. In fact, CelA is the most abundant extracellular protein produced in C. bescii. The enzyme contains two catalytic units, a Family 9A-CBM3c processive endoglucanase and a Family 48 exoglucanase, joined by two Family 3b carbohydrate-binding domains. Although there are two non-reducing end-specific Family 9 and three reducing end-specific Family 48 glycoside hydrolases (producing primarily glucose and cellobiose; and cellobiose and cellotriose, respectively) in C. bescii, CelA is the only protein that combines both enzymatic activities.

RESULTS

A deletion of the celA gene resulted in a dramatic reduction in the microorganism's ability to grow on crystalline cellulose (Avicel) and diminished growth on lignocellulosic biomass. A comparison of the overall endoglucanase and exoglucanase activities of the mutant compared with the wild-type suggests that the loss of the endoglucanase activity provided by the GH9 family domain is perhaps compensated for by other enzymes produced by the cell. In contrast, it appears that no other enzymes in the C. bescii secretome can compensate for the loss of exoglucanase activity. The change in enzymatic activity in the celA mutant resulted in a 15-fold decrease in sugar release on Avicel compared with the parent and wild-type strains.

CONCLUSIONS

The exoglucanase activity of the GH48 domain of CelA plays a major role in biomass degradation within the suite of C. bescii biomass-degrading enzymes.

Heterologous complementation of a pyrF deletion in Caldicellulosiruptor hydrothermalis generates a new host for the analysis of biomass deconstruction

BACKGROUND

Members of the thermophilic, anaerobic Gram-positive bacterial genus Caldicellulosiruptor grow optimally at 65 to 78°C and degrade lignocellulosic biomass without conventional pretreatment. Decomposition of complex cell wall polysaccharides is a major bottleneck in the conversion of plant biomass to biofuels and chemicals, and conventional biomass pretreatment includes exposure to high temperatures, acids, or bases as well as enzymatic digestion. Members of this genus contain a variety of glycosyl hydrolases, pectinases, and xylanases, but the contribution of these individual enzymes to biomass deconstruction is largely unknown. C. hydrothermalis is of special interest because it is the least cellulolytic of all the Caldicellulosiruptor species so far characterized, making it an ideal naïve system to study key cellulolytic enzymes from these bacteria.

RESULTS

To develop methods for genetic manipulation of C. hydrothermalis, we selected a spontaneous deletion of pyrF, a gene in the pyrimidine biosynthetic pathway, resulting in a strain that was a uracil auxotroph resistant to 5-fluoroorotic acid (5-FOA). This strain allowed the selection of prototrophic transformants with either replicating or non-replicating plasmids containing the wild-type pyrF gene. Counter-selection of the pyrF wild-type allele on non-replicating vectors allowed the construction of chromosomal deletions. To eliminate integration of the non-replicating plasmid at the pyrF locus in the C. hydrothermalis chromosome, we used the non-homologous Clostridium thermocellum wild-type pyrF allele to complement the C. hydrothermalis pyrF deletion. The autonomously replicating shuttle vector was maintained at 25 to 115 copies per chromosome. Deletion of the ChyI restriction enzyme in C. hydrothermalis increased the transformation efficiency by an order of magnitude and demonstrated the ability to construct deletions and insertions in the genome of this new host.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of C. hydrothermalis as a host for homologous and heterologous expression of enzymes important for biomass deconstruction will enable the identification of enzymes that contribute to the special ability of these bacteria to degrade complex lignocellulosic substrates as well as facilitate the construction of strains to improve and extend their substrate utilization capabilities.

Molecular and biochemical analyses of CbCel9A/Cel48A, a highly secreted multi-modular cellulase by Caldicellulosiruptor bescii during growth on crystalline cellulose

During growth on crystalline cellulose, the thermophilic bacterium Caldicellulosiruptor bescii secretes several cellulose-degrading enzymes. Among these enzymes is CelA (CbCel9A/Cel48A), which is reported as the most highly secreted cellulolytic enzyme in this bacterium. CbCel9A/Cel48A is a large multi-modular polypeptide, composed of an N-terminal catalytic glycoside hydrolase family 9 (GH9) module and a C-terminal GH48 catalytic module that are separated by a family 3c carbohydrate-binding module (CBM3c) and two identical CBM3bs. The wild-type CbCel9A/Cel48A and its truncational mutants were expressed in Bacillus megaterium and Escherichia coli, respectively. The wild-type polypeptide released twice the amount of glucose equivalents from Avicel than its truncational mutant that lacks the GH48 catalytic module. The truncational mutant harboring the GH9 module and the CBM3c was more thermostable than the wild-type protein, likely due to its compact structure. The main hydrolytic activity was present in the GH9 catalytic module, while the truncational mutant containing the GH48 module and the three CBMs was ineffective in degradation of either crystalline or amorphous cellulose. Interestingly, the GH9 and/or GH48 catalytic modules containing the CBM3bs form low-density particles during hydrolysis of crystalline cellulose. Moreover, TM3 (GH9/CBM3c) and TM2 (GH48 with three CBM3 modules) synergistically hydrolyze crystalline cellulose. Deletion of the CBM3bs or mutations that compromised their binding activity suggested that these CBMs are important during hydrolysis of crystalline cellulose. In agreement with this observation, seven of nine genes in a C. bescii gene cluster predicted to encode cellulose-degrading enzymes harbor CBM3bs. Based on our results, we hypothesize that C. bescii uses the GH48 module and the CBM3bs in CbCel9A/Cel48A to destabilize certain regions of crystalline cellulose for attack by the highly active GH9 module and other endoglucanases produced by this hyperthermophilic bacterium.

Improving activity of minicellulosomes by integration of intra- and intermolecular synergies

BACKGROUND

Complete hydrolysis of cellulose to glucose requires the synergistic action of three general types of glycoside hydrolases; endoglucanases, exoglucanases, and cellobiases. Cellulases that are found in Nature vary considerably in their modular diversity and architecture. They include: non-complexed enzymes with single catalytic domains, independent single peptide chains incorporating multiple catalytic modules, and complexed, scaffolded structures, such as the cellulosome. The discovery of the latter two enzyme architectures has led to a generally held hypothesis that these systems take advantage of intramolecular and intermolecular proximity synergies, respectively, to enhance cellulose degradation. We use domain engineering to exploit both of these concepts to improve cellulase activity relative to the activity of mixtures of the separate catalytic domains.

RESULTS

We show that engineered minicellulosomes can achieve high levels of cellulose conversion on crystalline cellulose by taking advantage of three types of synergism; (1) a complementary synergy produced by interaction of endo- and exo-cellulases, (2) an intramolecular synergy of multiple catalytic modules in a single gene product (this type of synergism being introduced for the first time to minicellulosomes targeting crystalline cellulose), and (3) an intermolecular proximity synergy from the assembly of these cellulases into larger multi-molecular structures called minicellulosomes. The binary minicellulosome constructed in this study consists of an artificial multicatalytic cellulase (CBM4-Ig-GH9-X11-X12-GH8-Doc) and one cellulase with a single catalytic domain (a modified Cel48S with the structure CBM4-Ig-GH48-Doc), connected by a non-catalytic scaffoldin protein. The high level endo-exo synergy and intramolecular synergies within the artificial multifunctional cellulase have been combined with an additional proximity-dependent synergy produced by incorporation into a minicellulosome demonstrating high conversion of crystalline cellulose (Avicel). Our minicellulosome is the first engineered enzyme system confirmed by test to be capable of both operating at temperatures as high as 60°C and converting over 60% of crystalline cellulose to fermentable sugars.

CONCLUSION

When compared to previously reported minicellulosomes assembled from cellulases containing only one catalytic module each, our novel minicellulosome demonstrates a method for substantial reduction in the number of peptide chains required, permitting improved heterologous expression of minicellulosomes in microbial hosts. In addition, it has been shown to be capable of substantial conversion of actual crystalline cellulose, as well as of the less-well-ordered and more easily digestible fraction of nominally crystalline cellulose.

The structure and mode of action of Caldicellulosiruptor bescii family 3 pectate lyase in biomass deconstruction

The unique active site of the Caldicellulosiruptor bescii family 3 pectate lyase catalytic module (PL3-cat) has been structurally described and synergistic digestion studies with C. bescii cellulase A have been performed on unpretreated biomass. The X-ray structure of PL3-cat was determined at 1.6 Å resolution (PDB entry 4ew9) in complex with the products of trigalacturonic acid. Comparison with family 1 pectate lyase (PL1) structures shows that the active site of the PL3 catalytic module is considerably different. However, on superimposing the identical sugar rings at the -2 subsites conserved interactions could be identified. Interestingly, only one catalytic residue, the lysine that donates the proton to the carboxylate group in the β-elimination reaction of PL1 (Lys108 in PL3-cat), is conserved in PL3 and there is no arginine to abstract the proton from the C5 carbon of the galactouronate ring. This suggests that the reaction mechanism of PL3 requires different catalytic residues. Most interestingly, comparison with other proton-abstraction reactions reveals that in PL3 the α-proton is abstracted by a lysine, in a striking similarity to enolases. These observations led us to propose that in PL3-cat Lys108 is the catalytic base, Glu84 is the catalytic acid and an acidified water molecule completes the anti β-elimination reaction by protonating the O4 atom of the substrate. Also, our digestion experiments with unpretreated switchgrass show that the loadings of C. bescii cellobiohydrolase A (CelA) can be lowered by the addition of PL3 to the reaction mixture. This result suggests that PL3 can significantly improve the deconstruction of unpretreated biomass by allowing other enzymes to better access their preferred substrates.

Improved lignocellulose conversion to biofuels with thermophilic bacteria and thermostable enzymes

Second-generation feedstock, especially nonfood lignocellulosic biomass is a potential source for biofuel production. Cost-intensive physical, chemical, biological pretreatment operations and slow enzymatic hydrolysis make the overall process of lignocellulosic conversion into biofuels less economical than available fossil fuels. Lignocellulose conversions carried out at ≤ 50 °C have several limitations. Therefore, this review focuses on the importance of thermophilic bacteria and thermostable enzymes to overcome the limitations of existing lignocellulosic biomass conversion processes. The influence of high temperatures on various existing lignocellulose conversion processes and those that are under development, including separate hydrolysis and fermentation, simultaneous saccharification and fermentation, and extremophilic consolidated bioprocess are also discussed.

Reconstitution of a thermostable xylan-degrading enzyme mixture from the bacterium Caldicellulosiruptor bescii

Xylose, the major constituent of xylans, as well as the side chain sugars, such as arabinose, can be metabolized by engineered yeasts into ethanol. Therefore, xylan-degrading enzymes that efficiently hydrolyze xylans will add value to cellulases used in hydrolysis of plant cell wall polysaccharides for conversion to biofuels. Heterogeneous xylan is a complex substrate, and it requires multiple enzymes to release its constituent sugars. However, the components of xylan-degrading enzymes are often individually characterized, leading to a dearth of research that analyzes synergistic actions of the components of xylan-degrading enzymes. In the present report, six genes predicted to encode components of the xylan-degrading enzymes of the thermophilic bacterium Caldicellulosiruptor bescii were expressed in Escherichia coli, and the recombinant proteins were investigated as individual enzymes and also as a xylan-degrading enzyme cocktail. Most of the component enzymes of the xylan-degrading enzyme mixture had similar optimal pH (5.5 to ∼6.5) and temperature (75 to ∼90°C), and this facilitated their investigation as an enzyme cocktail for deconstruction of xylans. The core enzymes (two endoxylanases and a β-xylosidase) exhibited high turnover numbers during catalysis, with the two endoxylanases yielding estimated k(cat) values of ∼8,000 and ∼4,500 s(-1), respectively, on soluble wheat arabinoxylan. Addition of side chain-cleaving enzymes to the core enzymes increased depolymerization of a more complex model substrate, oat spelt xylan. The C. bescii xylan-degrading enzyme mixture effectively hydrolyzes xylan at 65 to 80°C and can serve as a basal mixture for deconstruction of xylans in bioenergy feedstock at high temperatures.