Inducible beta-xyloside permease as a constituent of the xylan-degrading enzyme system of the yeast Cryptococcus albidus

Identification and characterisation of xylanolytic yeasts isolated from decaying wood and sugarcane bagasse in Brazil

In this study, yeasts associated with lignocellulosic materials in Brazil, including decaying wood and sugarcane bagasse, were isolated, and their ability to produce xylanolytic enzymes was investigated. A total of 358 yeast isolates were obtained, with 198 strains isolated from decaying wood and 160 strains isolated from decaying sugarcane bagasse samples. Seventy-five isolates possessed xylanase activity in solid medium and were identified as belonging to nine species: Candida intermedia, C. tropicalis, Meyerozyma guilliermondii, Scheffersomyces shehatae, Sugiyamaella smithiae, Cryptococcus diffluens, Cr. heveanensis, Cr. laurentii and Trichosporon mycotoxinivorans. Twenty-one isolates were further screened for total xylanase activity in liquid medium with xylan, and five xylanolytic yeasts were selected for further characterization, which included quantitative analysis of growth in xylan and xylose and xylanase and β-D-xylosidase activities. The yeasts showing the highest growth rate and cell density in xylan, Cr. laurentii UFMG-HB-48, Su. smithiae UFMG-HM-80.1 and Sc. shehatae UFMG-HM-9.1a, were, simultaneously, those exhibiting higher xylanase activity. Xylan induced the highest level of (extracellular) xylanase activity in Cr. laurentii UFMG-HB-48 and the highest level of (intracellular, extracellular and membrane-associated) β-D-xylosidase activity in Su. smithiae UFMG-HM-80.1. Also, significant β-D-xylosidase levels were detected in xylan-induced cultures of Cr. laurentii UFMG-HB-48 and Sc. shehatae UFMG-HM-9.1a, mainly in extracellular and intracellular spaces, respectively. Under xylose induction, Cr. laurentii UFMG-HB-48 showed the highest intracellular β-D-xylosidase activity among all the yeast tested. C. tropicalis UFMG-HB 93a showed its higher (intracellular) β-D-xylosidase activity under xylose induction and higher at 30 °C than at 50 °C. This study revealed different xylanolytic abilities and strategies in yeasts to metabolise xylan and/or its hydrolysis products (xylo-oligosaccharides and xylose). Xylanolytic yeasts are able to secrete xylanolytic enzymes mainly when induced by xylan and present different strategies (intra- and/or extracellular hydrolysis) for the metabolism of xylo-oligosaccharides. Some of the unique xylanolytic traits identified here should be further explored for their applicability in specific biotechnological processes.

The glucuronic acid utilization gene cluster from Bacillus stearothermophilus T-6

A lambda-EMBL3 genomic library of Bacillus stearothermophilus T-6 was screened for hemicellulolytic activities, and five independent clones exhibiting beta-xylosidase activity were isolated. The clones overlap each other and together represent a 23.5-kb chromosomal segment. The segment contains a cluster of xylan utilization genes, which are organized in at least three transcriptional units. These include the gene for the extracellular xylanase, xylanase T-6; part of an operon coding for an intracellular xylanase and a beta-xylosidase; and a putative 15.5-kb-long transcriptional unit, consisting of 12 genes involved in the utilization of alpha-D-glucuronic acid (GlcUA). The first four genes in the potential GlcUA operon (orf1, -2, -3, and -4) code for a putative sugar transport system with characteristic components of the binding-protein-dependent transport systems. The most likely natural substrate for this transport system is aldotetraouronic acid [2-O-alpha-(4-O-methyl-alpha-D-glucuronosyl)-xylotriose] (MeGlcUAXyl3). The following two genes code for an intracellular alpha-glucuronidase (aguA) and a beta-xylosidase (xynB). Five more genes (kdgK, kdgA, uxaC, uxuA, and uxuB) encode proteins that are homologous to enzymes involved in galacturonate and glucuronate catabolism. The gene cluster also includes a potential regulatory gene, uxuR, the product of which resembles repressors of the GntR family. The apparent transcriptional start point of the cluster was determined by primer extension analysis and is located 349 bp from the initial ATG codon. The potential operator site is a perfect 12-bp inverted repeat located downstream from the promoter between nucleotides +170 and +181. Gel retardation assays indicated that UxuR binds specifically to this sequence and that this binding is efficiently prevented in vitro by MeGlcUAXyl3, the most likely molecular inducer.

Screening of non-Saccharomyces wine yeasts for the production of beta-D-xylosidase activity

Fifty-four yeast strains belonging to the genera Candida, Dekkera, Hanseniaspora, Metschnikowia, Pichia, Rhodotorula, Schizosaccharomyces and Zygosaccharomyces, mainly isolated from grapes and wines, were screened for the production of beta-D-xylosidase activity. Beta-D-xylosidase activity was only detected in eight yeast strains belonging to the genera Hanseniaspora (H. osmophila and H. uvarum) and Pichia (P. anomala). Beta-D-xylosidase preparations active against p-nitrophenyl-beta-D-xyloside were characterised with respect to their optimal pH and temperature conditions. H. uvarum 11105 and 11107 and P. anomala 10320 beta-D-xylosidase preparations were active at pH and temperature ranges and at concentrations of glucose and ethanol usually found during winemaking processes.

Positional isomers of thioxylobiose, their synthesis and inducing ability for D-xylan-degrading enzymes in the yeast Cryptococcus albidus

Isomeric S-linked 2-thioxylobiose 10, 3-thioxylobiose 17, and 4-thioxylobiose 19 were conveniently prepared by SN2 displacement of suitable triflylglycoses with the sodium salt of 2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-1-thio-beta-D-glucopyranose, either in N,N-dimethylformamide, or in oxolan in the presence of a sodium complexing agent. Allyl 3,5-O-isopropylidene-2-O-trifluoromethanesulfonyl-beta-D-lyxofu ranoside was a convenient electrophilic precursor for 10, which was smoothly obtained after a short sequence of deprotection involving conversion to the 1-propenyl glycoside. 1,2:5,6-Di-O-isopropylidene-3-O-trifluoromethylsulfonyl-alpha-D-++ +allofuranose and 1,2,3-tri-O-benzoyl-4-O-trifluoromethylsulfonyl-beta-L-arabinop yranose were the respective precursors for 17 and 19. 4-Thioxylobiose has a highly stimulatory effect on the synthesis of enzymes of the xylanolytic system in the yeast Cryptococcus albidus when applied to the cells in the presence of the natural disaccharide inducer (1----4)-beta-D-xylobiose.

Novel inducers of the xylan-degrading enzyme system of Cryptococcus albidus

A series of compounds structurally related to xylan and 1,4-beta-xylobiose were tested as inducers of the xylan-degrading enzyme system of Cryptococcus albidus. Washed, glucose-grown cells were incubated with alpha- and beta-linked xylobioses, 4-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-L-arabinopyranose, 3-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-xylobiose, 6-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-cellobiose, cellobiose, and methyl beta-D-xylopyranoside. All alpha-xylobioses and cellobiose were inactive as inducers of the xylan-degrading enzyme system. Other compounds served as inducers of varying efficiency, depending on their concentration in the induction medium and the time of incubation of cells. The most rapid response of the cells, i.e., the shortest induction period of beta-xyloside permease, beta-xylosidase (EC 3.2.1.37), and beta-xylanase (EC 3.2.1.8), was observed with 1,4-beta-xylobiose, which was the most efficient inducer at low concentrations (0.1 to 0.2 mM). At higher concentrations (2 to 10 mM) and after long incubations, the highest enzyme yields were obtained with 1,2-beta-xylobiose. The results represent a new example of efficient induction of polysaccharide-degrading enzyme systems by positional isomers of dimers derived from the polysaccharide.

The active site of an acidic endo-1,4-beta-xylanase of Aspergillus niger

The substrate binding site of an acidic endo-1,4-beta-xylanase (1,4-beta-D-xylan xylanohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.8) of Aspergillus niger was investigated using 1,4-beta-xylooligosaccharides (1-3H)-labelled at the reducing end. Bond cleavage frequencies and V/Km parameters of the oligosaccharides were determined under conditions of unimolecular hydrolysis and, according to the method of Suganuma et al. (J. Biochem. (Tokyo) (1978) 84, 293-316), used for evaluation of subsite affinities. The substrate binding site of the enzyme was found to consist of seven subsites, numbered -IV, -III, -II, -I, I, II and III, towards the subsite binding the reducing end unit of xyloheptaose. The catalytic groups were localized between subsites -I and I, the affinities of which have not been determined. All other subsites showed positive values of affinities for binding xylosyl residues. The values decrease from subsites -II and II, similarly in both directions. As a consequence of such an almost symmetric distribution of affinities around the catalytic groups, the enzyme cleaves preferentially the bonds in the oligosaccharides which are most distant from both terminals. Thus, the acidic A. niger beta-xylanase appears to be an endo-1,4-beta-xylanase attacking polymeric substrates in a random fashion. This conclusion was supported by viscosimetric measurements with carboxymethylxylan as a substrate.

Beta-Xylosidases and a nonspecific wall-bound beta-glucosidase of the yeast Cryptococcus albidus

Cryptococcus albidus grown on wood xylans possesses a soluble intracellular beta-xylosidase (EC 3.2.1.37) as an additional constituent of the xylan-degrading enzyme system of this yeast. The enzyme attacks linear 1,4-beta-xylooligosaccharides in an exo-fashion, liberating xylose from the non-reducing ends. The activity of the enzyme increases in the cells during growth on xylan and incubation with xylobiose or methyl beta-D-xylopyranoside which are the best inducers of extracellular beta-xylanase (EC 3.2.1.8). Various alkyl-,alkyl-1-thio- and aryl beta-D-xylopyranosides were excellent inducers of a different beta-xylosidase of Cryptococcus albidus. This enzyme is localized outside the plasma membrane and is principally associated with cell walls. Unlike the soluble intracellular beta-xylosidase, the wall-bound enzyme does not hydrolyze xylooligosaccharides. Evidence has been obtained that beta-xylosidase activity in the cell walls is not due to the presence of a specific aryl beta-xylosidase, but is exhibited by a nonspecific beta-glucosidase (EC 3.2.1.21) inducible by beta-D-xylopyranosides. The ratio of beta-glucosidase and beta-xylosidase activity in the cells and isolated cell walls from yeast induced by various beta-xylopyranosides and beta-glucopyranosides was very similar. Both wall-bound activities were inhibited in a similar pattern by inhibitors of beta-glucosidases, 1,5-gluconolactone and nojirimycin. This bifunctional enzyme does not bear any relationship to the utilization of xylans in Cryptococcus albidus.

Reaction pathways of substrate degradation by an acidic endo-1,4-beta-xylanase of Aspergillus niger

An acidic endo-1,4-beta-xylanase (1,4-beta-D-xylan xylanohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.8) of Aspergillus niger catalyzes degradation of linear 1,4-beta-xylooligosaccharides by multiple reaction pathways analogous to those catalyzed by lysozyme and alpha-amylases. Quantitative product analysis of enzyme-substrate mixtures using 1-3H-reducing end-labeled xylooligosaccharides and [U-14C]xylotriose led to the following conclusions: (1) bond cleavage frequencies of xylotriose, xylotetraose and xylopentaose are strongly dependent on substrate concentration; (2) at relatively low concentration of the oligosaccharides the enzyme catalyzes transglycosylic reactions leading to products larger than the substrates; (3) xylobiose and to a low extent also xylose, are utilized as glycosyl acceptors in the transfer reactions; (4) the enzyme-glycosyl intermediates effective in the transfer reactions are formed only from the non-reducing part of oligosaccharides, since no evidence was obtained for condensation of two molecules of oligosaccharides; (5) the enzyme does not catalyze degradation of xylobiose and aryl beta-xylosides at an appreciable rate.

Mechanisms of substrate digestion by endo-1,4-beta-xylanase of Cryptococcus albidus. Lysozyme-type pattern of action

The action pattern and reaction mechanism of the endo-1,4-beta-xylanase of the yeast Cryptococcus albidus were investigated using reducing-end (1-3H)-labelled and uniformly 14C-labelled beta-1,4-xylooligosaccharides up to xylopentaose. The enzyme was found to catalyze degradation of oligosaccharides also by other pathways than a simple hydrolytic cleavage. Bond-cleavage frequency of xylotriose, xylotetraose and xylopentaose were found to be concentration dependent. At high substrate concentration reactions such as xylosyl, xylobiosyl and xylotriosyl transfer occur and result in the formation of products larger than the starting substrate. Xylose and xylobiose to significant extent enter the reaction pathways as glycosyl acceptors. None of the transglycosylic reactions observed with reducing-end-labelled substrates or acceptors were accompanied by a significant label redistribution from the reducing-end unit, suggesting that the enzyme-glycosyl intermediates effective in the transfer reactions can be formed from the non-reducing-end units of oligosaccharides. Evidence for the formation of a termomolecular shifted complex of beta-xylanase with xylotriose has also been obtained. All features of the degradation of oligosaccharides by beta-xylanase are consistent with the lysozyme-type reaction mechanism.

Substrate-binding site of endo-1,4-beta-xylanase of the yeast Cryptococcus albidus

The substrate-binding site of endo-1,4-beta-xylanase of the yeast Cryptococcus albidus was investigated using, 1,4-beta-xylooligosaccharides (1-3H)-labelled at the reducing end. Evaluation of the affinities of ten imaginary subsites by the method of Suganuma et al. [1978, J. Biochem. (Tokyo) 84, 293--316] pointed out that the substrate-binding site of the enzyme is composed of four subsites and that the catalytic groups are localized in the centre. The imaginary subsites on the left-hand side of the binding site ('non-reducing-end' side) showed little or no affinity to bind xylosyl residues. For the subsites on the right-hand side of the binding site ('reducing-end' side) negative values of affinity were obtained, which means this region of the enzyme is unfavourable for complexing with xylosyl residues. As a consequence of the asymmetric distribution of negative values of affinity around the binding site, the enzyme displays a strong preference for attacking near the reducing end of the substrate. Regardless of the length of [1-3H]xylooligosaccharides, [1-3H]xylobiose was the prevailing reaction product at an early stage of hydrolysis, and frequency distribution of bond cleavage decreased from the second glycosidic bond towards the non-reducing end. Additional information on the substrate-binding site of C. albidus beta-xylanase was obtained by evaluating the efficiency of xylose, xylobiose, methyl beta-D-xyloside and phenyl beta-D-xyloside to serve as glycosyl acceptors in the transglycosylic reactions proceeding at high concentrations of xylotriose.

Complex reaction pathway of aryl beta-xyloside degradation by beta-xylanase of Cryptococcus albidus

The extracellular endo-1,4-beta-xylanase of the yeast Cryptococcus albidus catalyzes degradation of aryl beta-xylosides by other reactions than simple hydrolytic cleavage. Liberation of phenol or p-nitrophenol from the corresponding beta-xylosides is accompanied by formation of xylose oligosaccharides and only small amounts of xylose. With the aid of phenyl beta-[U-14C]xyloside synthesized from [U-14C]xylose, it was established that the reaction followed a complex pattern with the rate of phenyl beta-xyloside digestion and appearance of various products varying markedly with time. The reaction involves multiple transglycosylic reaction leading first to phenyl glycosides of xylooligosaccharides, which are subsequently hydrolyzed mainly to xylobiose and xylotriose. At concentrations of phenyl beta-xyloside lower than 100 mM the reaction exhibited a significant lag phase, which was followed by period during which the rate of the degradation of the substrate could be determined. The rate showed a strong sigmoidal dependence on phenyl-beta-xyloside concentration. The lag phase could be eliminated and the initial rate accelerated by addition of xylose oligosaccharides, which are hydrolyzed by beta-xylanase. After disappearance of the added oligosaccharides, the reaction transitionally ceased and then resumed again at a rate comparable to the control without added oligosaccharides. It is proposed that beta-xylanase utilizes for degradation of phenyl beta-xyloside two reaction pathways differing in the nature of glycosyl donors.