Purification and Characterization of an Endo-(1,3)-β- d -Glucanase from Trichoderma longibrachiatum

Molecular characterization of β-endoglucanase from antagonistic Trichoderma saturnisporum isolate GITX-Panog (C) induced under mycoparasitic conditions

The endoglucanase belonging to glycoside hydrolase family 61 are little studied. In present study, a β-endoglucanase of ~37 kDa induced on autoclaved mycelium of Fusarium oxysporum was cloned and characterized. The molecular characterization of β-endoglucanase encoding gene revealed presence of a single intron and an open reading frame of 1044-bp which encoded a protein of 347 amino acid residues. The phylogenetic analysis of Eglu revealed its similarity to endo-β-glucanases of other Trichoderma spp. The catalytic site of β-endoglucanase contained Asp, Asn, His and Tyr residues. The cDNA encoding β-glucanase was cloned into E. coli and Pichia pastoris using pQUA-30 and pPIC9K vector system, respectively. The comparison of structure revealed that most similar structure to Eglu is Hypocrea jecorina template 5o2w.1.A of glycoside hydrolase family 61.The biochemical characterization of β-endoglucanase purified from T. saturnisporum isolate and the recombinant protein expressed in E. coli and P. pastoris was active under acidic conditions with a pH optima of 5 and temperature optima of 60 °C. The purified and expressed enzyme preparation was able to inhibit growth of F.oxysporum at 1 × 10⁵ spores/mL which clearly revealed its significance in plant pathogen suppression.

Significant factors selection in the chemical and enzymatic hydrolysis of lignocellulosic residues by a genetic algorithm analysis and comparison with the standard Plackett-Burman methodology

A comparison between the classic Plackett-Burman design (PB) ANOVA analysis and a genetic algorithm (GA) approach to identify significant factors have been carried out. This comparison was made by applying both analyses to data obtained from the experimental results when optimizing both chemical and enzymatic hydrolysis of three lignocellulosic feedstocks (corn and wheat bran, and pine sawdust) by a PB experimental design. Depending on the kind of biomass and the hydrolysis being considered, different results were obtained. Interestingly, some interactions were found to be significant by the GA approach and allowed to identify significant factors, that otherwise, based only in the classic PB analysis, would have not been taken into account in a further optimization step. Improvements in the fitting of c.a. 80% were obtained when comparing the coefficient of determination (R2) computed for both methods.

Simple, sensitive zymogram technique for detection of xylanase activity in polyacrylamide gels

A method capable of detecting as little as 0.11 U of xylanase activity in polyacrylamide gels was developed. The method entails incubation of protein gels in contact with substrate gels containing unmodified xylan, followed by immersion of substrate gels in 95% ethanol. Resulting zymograms contain transparent bands corresponding to enzymatic activity against an opaque background.

Efficacy of microorganisms antagonistic to Rhizoctonia cerealis and their cell wall degrading enzymatic activities

The effect of Trichoderma atroviride, T. harzianum, T. longibrachiatum, Clonostachys rosea and Bacillus subtilis isolates applied to wheat seeds against Rhizoctonia cerealis disease of seedlings was investigated under controlled greenhouse conditions. Most Trichoderma isolates significantly reduced the incidence of disease compared with the infected control. Bacillus subtilis was also effective against sharp eyespot, although less active than Trichoderma spp. Interactions between the antagonistic microorganisms and the cereal pathogenic fungus in dual culture experiments on agar growth medium were also studied. Almost all tested antagonists showed competitive activity against R. cerealis: inhibition of its mycelial growth and hyphal interaction. The production of extracellular beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase, chitin 1,4-beta-chitobiosidase, glucan 1,3-beta-glucosidase and protease activity by the tested microorganisms in the presence of cell walls of R. cerealis was then determined. All isolates showed glucosaminidase and chitobiosidase activity. They also produced glucosidase activity, except B. subtilis, whereas only C. rosea, B. subtilis and one isolate of T. harzianum showed detectable levels of protease activity.

Karyotyping of Candida albicans and Candida glabrata isolates from recurrent vaginal infections by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis

In the present study, 16 women with recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC) due to Candida albicans and Candida (Torulopsis) glabrata were followed for a period of 4 to 12 months, and 36 vaginal isolates were evaluated by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Eleven women were infected by C. albicans and 5 by C. glabrata. Three electrophoretic karyotypes of C. albicans and 3 of C. glabrata were identified throughout the follow-up. All patients but one was infected with the same karyotype of C. albicans or C. glabrata during the follow-up period. Two different karyotypes of C. glabrata were identified in one patient in the course of 12 months. The results confirmed the diversity of the karyotypes of C. albicans and C. glabrata causing vulvovaginitis, and demonstrated the persistence of colonization with the same strain over different periods of time despite therapy (15/16 women).

Molecular characterization of a cell wall-associated beta(1-3)endoglucanase of Aspergillus fumigatus

A 74 kDa beta(1-3)endoglucanase of Aspergillus fumigatus was recently isolated from a cell wall autolysate and biochemically characterized. In this study, we report the cloning and the disruption of the ENGL1 gene encoding this beta(1-3)endoglucanase. ENGL1 contains an open reading frame of 2181 bp encoding a polypeptide of 727 amino acids. Sequence analysis showed that ENGL1 is the first characterized member of a new family of beta(1-3)glucanases. Disruption of ENGL1, however, did not lead to a phenotype distinct from the parental strain, indicating that this cell wall-associated beta(1-3)endoglucanase does not play an essential role in constitutive cell growth.

Characterization of a 29-kDa beta-1,3-glucanase from Trichoderma harzianum

A beta-1,3-glucanase, from culture filtrates of Trichoderma harzianum, was purified in sequential steps by gel filtration, hydrophobic interaction and ion exchange chromatography. A typical procedure provided 69-fold purification with 0.32% yield. The molecular mass of the protein was found to be approximately 29 kDa, as estimated by SDS-PAGE on a 10% slab gel. The K(M) and V(max) values for beta-1,3-glucanase, using laminarin as substrate, were 1. 72 mg ml(-1) and 3.10 U ml(-1), respectively. The pH optimum for the enzyme was pH 4.4 and maximum activity was obtained at 50 degrees C. The enzyme was strongly inhibited by HgCl(2) and SDS. These results suggest that each beta-1,3-glucanase produced by T. harzianum is different and is probably encoded by different genes.

Purification and properties of a basic endo-beta-1,6-glucanase (BGN16.1) from the antagonistic fungus Trichoderma harzianum

The antagonistic fungus Trichoderma harzianum CECT 2413 produces at least two extracellular beta-1,6-glucanases, among other hydrolases acting on polysaccharides from fungal cell walls, when grown in chitin as the sole carbon source. We have previously reported on the purification and biochemical characterization of the major activity, which corresponds to an acidic enzyme named BGN16.2 [de la Cruz, J., Pintor-Toro, J.A., Benítez, T. & Llobell, A. (1995) J. Bacteriol. 177, 1864-1871]. In this paper, we report on the purification to electrophoretical homogeneity of BGN16.1, the second beta-1, 6-glucanase enzyme. BGN16.1 was purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation followed by adsorption and digestion of pustulan (a beta-1,6-glucan), chromatofocusing and gel-filtration chromatography. BGN16.1 is a non-glycosylated protein with an apparent molecular mass of 51 kDa and a basic isoelectric point (pI 7.4-7.7). The enzyme was active toward substrates containing beta-1,6-glycosidic linkages, including yeast cell walls. The Km was 0.8 mg x mL-1 with pustulan as the substrate. Reaction product analysis by HPLC clearly indicated that BGN16.1 has an endo-hydrolytic mode of action. The probable role of this enzyme in the antagonistic action of T. harzianum is also discussed.

Purification and characterization of an endo-1,3-beta-glucanase from Aspergillus fumigatus

An endo-1,3-beta-glucanase was purified from a cell wall autolysate of Aspergillus fumigatus. This beta-glucanase activity was associated with a glycosylated 74-kDa protein. Using a sensitive colorimetric assay and a high-performance anion-exchange chromatography with a pulsed electrochemical detector for product analysis, it was shown that the endoglucanase hydrolysed exclusively linear 1,3-beta-glucan chains, had an optimum pH of 7.0 and an optimum temperature of 60 degrees C. A substrate kinetic study gave a Km value of 0.3 mg/ml for soluble (laminarin and laminari-oligosaccharides) and 1.18 mg/ml for insoluble (curdlan) 1,3-beta-glucan. Laminari-oligosaccharide degradation, analysed by HPLC, showed that the endoglucanase bind to the subtrate at several positions and suggested that the active site of the enzyme recognized five glucose units linked by a 1,3-beta bond. The association of the present endo-1,3-beta-glucanase with the cell wall of A. fumigatus suggests a putative role for this enzyme during cell-wall morphogenesis.

Purification and characterization of an endo-β-1,3-glucanase fromTrichoderma harzianum

β-1,3-Glucanases are produced by Trichoderma harzianum when it is grown in the presence of chitin or isolated cell wall from fungi. An endo-β-1,3-glucanase from the culture filtrate of T. harzianum was purified by gel filtration on Sephacryl S-200, followed by hydrophobic interaction chromatography on phenyl-Sepharose. A typical procedure provided 134-fold purification with a 3.6% yield. The molecular mass of the purified endo-β-1,3-glucanase was found to be approximately 36 kDa, as estimated by sodium dodecyl sulfate – polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis on a 10% w/v slab gel. The enzyme was active toward glucans containing β-1,3-linkages and hydrolysed laminarin to form oligosaccharides. The Kmand Vmaxvalues for β-1,3-ghicanases, using laminarin as substrate, was 1.18 mg∙mL−1and 1.26 U∙mL−1, respectively. The pH optimum for the enzyme was pH 4.4 and maximum activity was obtained at 45–50 °C. Enzyme activity was strongly inhibited in the presence of HgCl2and stimulated by cations such as Zn2+and Ca2+.Key words: endo-β-1,3-glucanase, Trichoderma harzianum, purification, characterization.

A novel endo-beta-1,3-glucanase, BGN13.1, involved in the mycoparasitism of Trichoderma harzianum

The mycoparasitic fungus Trichoderma harzianum CECT 2413 produces at least three extracellular beta-1,3-glucanases. The most basic of these extracellular enzymes, named BGN13.1, was expressed when either fungal cell wall polymers or autoclaved mycelia from different fungi were used as the carbon source. BGN13.1 was purified to electrophoretic homogeneity and was biochemically characterized. The enzyme was specific for beta-1,3 linkages and has an endolytic mode of action. A synthetic oligonucleotide primer based on the sequence of an internal peptide was designed to clone the cDNA corresponding to BGN13.1. The deduced amino acid sequence predicted a molecular mass of 78 kDa for the mature protein. Analysis of the amino acid sequence indicates that the enzyme contains three regions, one N-terminal leader sequence; another, nondefined sequence; and one cysteine-rich C-terminal sequence. Sequence comparison shows that this beta-1,3-glucanase, first described for filamentous fungi, belongs to a family different from that of its previously described bacterial, yeast, and plant counterparts. Enzymatic-activity, protein, and mRNA data indicated that bgn13.1 is repressed by glucose and induced by either fungal cell wall polymers or autoclaved yeast cells and mycelia. Finally, experimental evidence showed that the enzyme hydrolyzes yeast and fungal cell walls.

Purification and characterization of three extracellular (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan glucohydrolases from the filamentous fungus Acremonium persicinum

Three (1-->3)-beta-D-glucanases (GNs) were isolated from the culture filtrates of the filamentous fungus Acremonium persicinum and purified by (NH4)2SO4 precipitation followed by anion-exchange and gel-filtration chromatography. Homogeneity of the purified proteins was confirmed by SDS/PAGE, isoelectric focusing and N-terminal amino acid sequencing. All three GNs (GN I, II and III) are non-glycosylated, monomeric proteins with apparent molecular masses, estimated by SDS/PAGE, of 81, 85 and 89 kDa respectively. pI values for the three enzymes are 5.3, 5.1, and 4.4 respectively. The pH optimum for GN I is 6.5, and 5.0 for GN II and III. All three purified enzymes displayed stability over the pH range 4.5-10.0. Optimum activities for GN I, II and III were recorded at 65, 55 and 60 degrees C respectively, with both GN II and III having short-term stability up to 50 degrees C and GN I up to 55 degrees C. The purified GNs have high specificity for (1-->3)-beta-linkages and hydrolysed a range of (1-->3)-beta- and (1-->3)(1-->6)-beta-D-glucans, with laminarin from Laminaria digitata being the most rapidly hydrolysed substrate of those tested. K(m) values for GN I, II, and III against L. digitata laminarin were 0.1, 0.23 and 0.22 mg/ml respectively. D-Glucono-1,5-lactone does not inhibit any of the three GNs, some metals ions are mild inhibitors, and N-bromosuccinimide and KMnO4 are strong inhibitors. All three GNs acted in an exo-hydrolytic manner, determined by the release of alpha-glucose as the initial and major product of hydrolysis of (1-->3)-beta-D-glucans, and confirmed by viscometric analysis and the inability to cleave periodate-oxidized laminarin, and may be classified as (1-->3)-beta-D-glucan glucohydrolases (EC 3.2.1.58).

Purification and characterization of an endo-beta-1,6-glucanase from Trichoderma harzianum that is related to its mycoparasitism

The enzymes from Trichoderma species that degrade fungal cell walls have been suggested to play an important role in mycoparasitic action against fungal plant pathogens. The mycoparasite Trichoderma harzianum produces at least two extracellular beta-1,6-glucanases, among other hydrolases, when it is grown on chitin as the sole carbon source. One of these extracellular enzymes was purified to homogeneity after adsorption to its substrate, pustulan, chromatofocusing, and, finally, gel filtration. The apparent molecular mass was 43,000, and the isoelectric point was 5.8. The first 15 amino acids from the N terminus of the purified protein have been sequenced. The enzyme was specific for beta-1,6 linkages and showed an endolytic mode of action on pustulan. Further characterization indicated that the enzyme by itself releases soluble sugars and produces hydrolytic halli on yeast cell walls. When combined with other T. harzianum cell wall-degrading enzymes such as beta-1,3-glucanases and chitinases, it hydrolyzes filamentous fungal cell walls. The enzyme acts cooperatively with the latter enzymes, inhibiting the growth of the fungi tested. Antibodies against the purified protein also indicated that the two identified beta-1,6-glucanases are not immunologically related and are probably encoded by two different genes.

Noncellulolytic fungal beta-glucanases: their physiology and regulation

The occurrence, regulation, and action of fungal enzymes capable of degrading noncellulosic beta-glucans, especially 1,3-beta- and 1,6-beta-glucans, are reviewed. Special consideration is given to their roles in both metabolic and morphogenetic events in the fungal cell, including cell wall extension, hyphal branching, sporulation, budding, and autolysis. Also examined are the protocols currently available for their purification, with some of the properties of purified beta-glucanases discussed in terms of their potential applications in industrial, agricultural, and medical fields.

Formation, separation and characterization of three beta-1,3-glucanases from Sclerotium glucanicum

The appearance of beta-1,3-glucanases in supernatants of Sclerotium glucanicum cultures was followed by SDS-PAGE and shown to be dependent on cultivation time. Three beta-1,3-glucanases were isolated and purified. Glucanase I and III appeared homogeneous on SDS-PAGE with molecular masses of 85 and 33.5 kDa, respectively. Enzyme I was an endo-splitting beta-1,3-glucanase. In hydrolyzing laminarin it released glucose, laminaritriose and laminaribiose as major endproducts and smaller amounts of higher oligosaccharides. Enzyme III was an exo-beta-1,3-glucanase removing glucose from laminarin and gentiobiose and glucose from scleroglucan. For laminarin as substrate the Km of enzyme I and III was 2.5 and 3.33 mg/ml, respectively. Enzyme II was only partially purified and found to be also an exo-beta-1,3-glucanase, releasing glucose as the only hydrolysis product from laminarin. It did not attack scleroglucan. Its molecular weight was determined to be 78 kDa. Optimum pH and temperature of the three enzymes were determined. The three activities were significantly inhibited by 1 mM Hg2+.

Purification and characterization of two xylanases from Trichoderma longibrachiatum

Two endoxylanases were purified from the culture medium of Trichoderma longibrachiatum. Both enzymes were highly basic, and lacked activity on carboxymethyl-cellulose. An enzyme of 21.5 kDa (xylanase A) had a specific activity of 510 U/mg protein, a Km of 0.15 mg soluble xylan/ml, possessed transglycosidase activity and generated xylobiose and xylotriose as the major endproducts from xylan or xylose oligomers. A larger enzyme of 33 kDa (xylanase B) had a specific activity of 131 U/mg protein, a Km of 0.19 mg soluble xylan/ml, lacked detectable transglycosidase activity and generated xylobiose and xylose as major endproducts from xylan and xylose oligomers. Xylotriose was the smallest oligomer attacked by both enzymes. In addition, xylotriose inhibited hydrolysis of xylopentanose by both enzymes, while xylobiose appeared to inhibit xylanase B, but not xylanase A.

Anaerobic Growth and Fermentation Characteristics of Paecilomyces lilacinus Isolated from Mullet Gut

The anaerobic growth and fermentation of a marine isolate of Paecilomyces lilacinus is described. The fungus was isolated from mullet gut and grew optimally at 30°C and at a salinity of ≥10%. The best growth was obtained with glucose or laminarin as substrate, and the growth yield was 5.0 g (dry weight of fungus) per mol of hexose fermented. Moles of products as a percentage of moles of hexose fermented were acetate, 29.0%; ethanol, 156.6%; CO 2 , 108.0%; and lactate, 4.3%. Together these products accounted for >80% of hexose carbon. Hydrogen and formate were not detectable as fermentation end products (<0.5%). Other substrates utilized for growth, although less effectively than laminarin or glucose, included the monosaccharides galactose, fructose, arabinose, and xylose and the disaccharides maltose and cellobiose. No growth of the fungus occurred on cellulose, and of a variety of other polysaccharides tested only xylan supported growth.

Isolation and properties of a (1,3)-beta-D-glucanase from Ruminococcus flavefaciens

A (1,3)-beta-D-glucanase [(1,3)-beta-D-glucan-3-glucanohydrolase] from Ruminococcus flavefaciens grown on milled filter paper was purified 3,700-fold (19% yield) and appeared as a single major protein and activity band upon polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The enzyme did not hydrolyze 1,6-beta linkages (pustulan) or 1,3-beta linkages in glucans with frequent 1,6-beta-linkage branch points (scleroglucan). Curdlan and carboxymethylpachyman were hydrolyzed at 50% the rate of laminarin. The enzyme had a Km of 0.37 mg of laminarin per ml, a pH optimum of 6.8, and a temperature optimum of 55 degrees C and was stable to heating at 40 degrees C for 60 min. The molecular mass of the enzyme was estimated to be 26 kDa by gel filtration and 25 kDa by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The enzyme was completely inhibited by 1 mM Hg2+, Cu2+, and KMnO4, 75% by 1 mM Ag2+, and Ni2+, and 50% by 1 mM Mn2+ and Fe3+. In a 2-h incubation with laminaridextrins (seven to nine glucose units) or curdlan and excess enzyme, the major products were glucose (30 to 37%), laminaribiose (17 to 23%), laminaritriose (18 to 28%), laminaritetraose (13 to 21%), and small amounts of large laminarioligosaccharides. With laminarihexaose and laminaripentaose, the products were equal quantities of laminaribiose and glucose (30%) and laminaritetraose and laminaritriose (18 to 21%). Laminaribiose or laminaritriose were not hydrolyzed, indicating a requirement for at least four contiguous 1,3-beta-linked glucose units for enzyme activity. The enzyme appeared to have the properties of both an exo- and an endoglucanase.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)