Multiple domains in endoglucanase B (CenB) from Cellulomonas fimi: functions and relatedness to domains in other polypeptides

Characterization of a thermostable endoglucanase from Cellulomonas fimi ATCC484

Bacteria in the genus Cellulomonas are well known as secretors of a variety of mesophilic carbohydrate degrading enzymes (e.g., cellulases and hemicellulases), active against plant cell wall polysaccharides. Recent proteomic analysis of the mesophilic bacterium Cellulomonas fimi ATCC484 revealed uncharacterized enzymes for the hydrolysis of plant cell wall biomass. Celf_1230 (CfCel6C), a secreted protein of Cellulomonas fimi ATCC484, is a novel member of the GH6 family of cellulases that could be successfully expressed in Escherichia coli. This enzyme displayed very little enzymatic/hydrolytic activity at 30 °C, but showed an optimal activity around 65 °C, and exhibited a thermal denaturation temperature of 74 °C. In addition, it also strongly bound to filter paper despite having no recognizable carbohydrate binding module. Our experiments show that CfCel6C is a thermostable endoglucanase with activity on a variety of β-glucans produced by an organism that struggles to grow above 30 °C.

Challenges and advances in the heterologous expression of cellulolytic enzymes: a review

Second generation biofuel development is increasingly reliant on the recombinant expression of cellulases. Designing or identifying successful expression systems is thus of preeminent importance to industrial progress in the field. Recombinant production of cellulases has been performed using a wide range of expression systems in bacteria, yeasts and plants. In a number of these systems, particularly when using bacteria and plants, significant challenges have been experienced in expressing full-length proteins or proteins at high yield. Further difficulties have been encountered in designing recombinant systems for surface-display of cellulases and for use in consolidated bioprocessing in bacteria and yeast. For establishing cellulase expression in plants, various strategies are utilized to overcome problems, such as the auto-hydrolysis of developing plant cell walls. In this review, we investigate the major challenges, as well as the major advances made to date in the recombinant expression of cellulases across the commonly used bacterial, plant and yeast systems. We review some of the critical aspects to be considered for industrial-scale cellulase production.

The glucanases of Cellulomonas

Cellulomonas is a unique bacterium possessing not only the capacity to degrade various carbohydrates, such as starch, xylan and cellulose, but crystalline cellulose as well. It has developed a complex battery of glucanases to deal with substrates possessing such extensive microheterogeneities. Some of these enzymes are multifunctional, as well as cross inducible, possessing a multi-domain structure; these enzymes are thought to have arisen by the shuffling of these domains. Intergeneric hybrids have been constructed between Cellulomonas and Zymomonas so as to enhance the industrial potential of this organism. This review examines the unique features of this microorganism and evaluates its key role in the conversion of complex wastes to useful products, by virtue of its unusual attributes.

CelI, a noncellulosomal family 9 enzyme from Clostridium thermocellum, is a processive endoglucanase that degrades crystalline cellulose

The family 9 cellulase gene celI of Clostridium thermocellum, was previously cloned, expressed, and characterized (G. P. Hazlewood, K. Davidson, J. I. Laurie, N. S. Huskisson, and H. J. Gilbert, J. Gen. Microbiol. 139:307-316, 1993). We have recloned and sequenced the entire celI gene and found that the published sequence contained a 53-bp deletion that generated a frameshift mutation, resulting in a truncated and modified C-terminal segment of the protein. The enzymatic properties of the wild-type protein were characterized and found to conform to those of other family 9 glycoside hydrolases with a so-called theme B architecture, where the catalytic module is fused to a family 3c carbohydrate-binding module (CBM3c); CelI also contains a C-terminal CBM3b. The intact recombinant CelI exhibited high levels of activity on all cellulosic substrates tested, with pH and temperature optima of 5.5 and 70 degrees C, respectively, using carboxymethylcellulose as a substrate. Native CelI was capable of solubilizing filter paper, and the distribution of reducing sugar between the soluble and insoluble fractions suggests that the enzyme acts as a processive cellulase. A truncated form of the enzyme, lacking the C terminal CBM3b, failed to bind to crystalline cellulose and displayed reduced activity toward insoluble substrates. A truncated form of the enzyme, in which both the cellulose-binding CBM3b and the fused CBM3c were removed, failed to exhibit significant levels of activity on any of the substrates examined. This study underscores the general nature of this type of enzymatic theme, whereby the fused CBM3c plays a critical accessory role for the family 9 catalytic domain and changes its character to facilitate processive cleavage of recalcitrant cellulose substrates.

Identification and glucan-binding properties of a new carbohydrate-binding module family

The C-terminal 191-residue module of Cel5A from the alkalophilic Bacillus sp. 1139 comprises a carbohydrate-binding module (CBM) belonging to a previously unidentified family that we have classified as CBM family 28. This example, called CBM28, bound specifically to cello-oligosaccharides and mixed beta-(1,3)(1,4)-glucans (barley beta-glucan) with association constants of approximately (1-4)x10(4) M(-1). Its binding to barley beta-glucan was remarkably insensitive to pH between 7.0 and 10.9, in keeping with its alkalophilic source. CBM28 bound to cellulose having a significant non-crystalline content with an association constant similar to that for its binding to soluble glucans. CBM17 (CBM family 17) and CBM28 modules naturally occur as tandems. The CBM17/CBM28 tandem from Cel5A bound with apparent co-operativity to barley beta-glucan. The association of CBM28 with cello-oligosaccharides was driven enthalpically and marked by the different thermodynamic contribution of three putative binding subsites that accommodate a cellohexaose molecule.

Mapping of genes encoding glycoside hydrolases on the chromosome of Cellulomonas fimi

Cellulomonas fimi genomic DNA was digested with HpaI, MunI, HindIII, and NsiI, producing fragments ranging in size from 20 to 1400 kbp that were resolved by pulsed field gel electrophoresis. Genetic and physical linkages were determined by Southern blotting and were used to construct a genome map. Cellulomonas fimi has a single circular chromosome of approx. 4000 kbp. Except for two closely linked genes, cbh6A and cel5A, the genes known to encode glycoside hydrolases are scattered widely on the chromosome.Key words: Cellulomonas fimi, genome map, pulsed field gel electrophoresis, glycoside hydrolases.

High resolution crystal structures of the Escherichia coli lytic transglycosylase Slt70 and its complex with a peptidoglycan fragment

The 70 kDa soluble lytic transglycosylase (Slt70) from Escherichia coli is an exo-muramidase, that catalyses the cleavage of the glycosidic bonds between N -acetylmuramic acid and N -acetylglucosamine residues in peptidoglycan, the main structural component of the bacterial cell wall. This cleavage is accompanied by the formation of a 1,6-anhydro bond between the C1 and O6 atoms in the N -acetylmuramic acid residue (anhMurNAc). Crystallographic studies at medium resolution revealed that Slt70 is a multi-domain protein consisting of a large ring-shaped alpha-superhelix with on top a catalytic domain, which resembles the fold of goose-type lysozyme. Here we report the crystal structures of native Slt70 and of its complex with a 1,6-anhydromuropeptide solved at nominal resolutions of 1.65 A and 1.90 A, respectively. The high resolution native structure reveals the details on the hydrogen bonds, electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions that stabilise the catalytic domain and the alpha-superhelix. The building-block of the alpha-superhelix is an "up-down-up-down" four-alpha-helix bundle involving both parallel and antiparallel helix pairs. Stabilisation of the fold is provided through an extensive packing of apolar atoms, mostly from leucine and alanine residues. It lacks, however, an internal consensus sequence that characterises other super-secondary helical folds like the beta-helix in pectate lyase or the (beta-alpha)-helix in the ribonuclease inhibitor. The 1, 6-anhydromuropeptide product binds in a shallow groove adjacent to the peptidoglycan-binding groove of the catalytic domain. The groove is formed by conserved residues at the interface of the catalytic domain and the alpha-superhelix. The structure of the Slt70-1, 6-anhydromuropeptide complex confirms the presence of a specific binding-site for the peptide moieties of the peptidoglycan and it substantiates the notion that Slt70 starts the cleavage reaction at the anhMurNAc end of the peptidoglycan.

Genetic analysis of a chromosomal region containing vanA and vanB, genes required for conversion of either ferulate or vanillate to protocatechuate in Acinetobacter

VanA and VanB form an oxygenative demethylase that converts vanillate to protocatechuate in microorganisms. Ferulate, an abundant phytochemical, had been shown to be metabolized through a vanillate intermediate in several Pseudomonas isolates, and biochemical evidence had indicated that vanillate also is an intermediate in ferulate catabolism by Acinetobacter. Genetic evidence supporting this conclusion was obtained by characterization of mutant Acinetobacter strains blocked in catabolism of both ferulate and vanillate. Cloned Acinetobacter vanA and vanB were shown to be members of a chromosomal segment remote from a supraoperonic cluster containing other genes required for completion of the catabolism of ferulate and its structural analogs, caffeate and coumarate, through protocatechuate. The nucleotide sequence of DNA containing vanA and vanB demonstrated the presence of genes that, on the basis of nucleotide sequence similarity, appeared to be associated with transport of aromatic compounds, metabolism of such compounds, or iron scavenging. Spontaneous deletion of 100 kb of DNA containing this segment does not impede the growth of cells with simple carbon sources other than vanillate or ferulate. Additional spontaneous mutations blocking vanA and vanB expression were shown to be mediated by IS1236, including insertion of the newly discovered composite transposon Tn5613. On the whole, vanA and vanB appear to be located within a nonessential genetic region that exhibits considerable genetic malleability in Acinetobacter. The overall organization of genes neighboring Acinetobacter vanA and vanB, including a putative transcriptional regulatory gene that is convergently transcribed and overlaps vanB, is conserved in Pseudomonas aeruginosa but has undergone radical rearrangement in other Pseudomonas species.

A chitin-binding domain in a marine bacterial chitinase and other microbial chitinases: implications for the ecology and evolution of 1,4-beta-glycanases

To examine the ecology and evolution of microbial chitinases, especially the chitin-binding domain, one of the chitinase genes (chiA) from the marine bacterium Vibrio harveyi was analysed. The deduced amino acid sequence of ChiA is not very similar overall to other proteins, except for two regions, the putative catalytic and chitin-binding domains. Among all bacterial chitinases sequenced to date, there is no relationship between percentage similarity of catalytic domains and chitin-binding domains in pairwise comparisons, suggesting that these two domains have evolved separately. The chitin-binding domain appears to be evolutionarily conserved among many bacterial chitinases and is also somewhat similar to cellulose-binding domains found in microbial cellulases and xylanases. To investigate the role of the chitin-binding domain, clones producing versions of ChiA with or without this domain were examined. One version with the domain (ChiA1) bound to and hydrolysed chitin, whereas a truncated ChiA without the putative chitin-binding domain (ChiA2) did not bind to chitin, but it could hydrolyse chitin, although not as well. ChiA1 diffused more slowly in agarose containing colloidal chitin than ChiA2, but diffusion of the two proteins in agarose without colloidal chitin was similar. These results indicate that the chitin-binding domain helps determine the movement of chitinase along N-acetylglucosamine strands and within environments containing chitin.

CelG from Clostridium cellulolyticum: a multidomain endoglucanase acting efficiently on crystalline cellulose

The gene coding for CelG, a family 9 cellulase from Clostridium cellulolyticum, was cloned and overexpressed in Escherichia coli. Four different forms of the protein were genetically engineered, purified, and studied: CelGL (the entire form of CelG), CelGcat1 (the catalytic domain of CelG alone), CelGcat2 (CelGcat1 plus 91 amino acids at the beginning of the cellulose binding domain [CBD]), and GST-CBD(CelG) (the CBD of CelG fused to glutathione S-transferase). The biochemical properties of CelG were compared with those of CelA, an endoglucanase from C. cellulolyticum which was previously studied. CelG, like CelA, was found to have an endo cutting mode of activity on carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) but exhibited greater activity on crystalline substrates (bacterial microcrystalline cellulose and Avicel) than CelA. As observed with CelA, the presence of the nonhydrolytic miniscaffolding protein (miniCipC1) enhanced the activity of CelG on phosphoric acid swollen cellulose (PASC), but to a lesser extent. The absence of the CBD led to the complete inactivation of the enzyme. The abilities of CelG and GST-CBD(CelG) to bind various substrates were also studied. Although the entire enzyme is able to bind to crystalline cellulose at a limited number of sites, the chimeric protein GST-CBD(CelG) does not bind to either of the tested substrates (Avicel and PASC). The lack of independence between the two domains and the weak binding to cellulose suggest that this CBD-like domain may play a special role and be either directly or indirectly involved in the catalytic reaction.

Evidence that linker sequences and cellulose-binding domains enhance the activity of hemicellulases against complex substrates

Xylanase A (XYLA) and arabinofuranosidase C (XYLC) from Pseudomonas fluorescens subsp. cellulosa are modular enzymes consisting of discrete cellulose-binding domains (CBDs) and catalytic domains joined by serine-rich linker sequences. To evaluate the role of the CBDs and interdomain regions, the capacity of full-length and truncated derivatives of the two enzymes, lacking either the linker sequences or CBDs, to hydrolyse a range of substrates, and bind to cellulose, was determined. Removal of the CBDs did not affect either the activity of XYLA or XYLC against soluble arabinoxylan. Similarly, deletion of the linker sequences did not alter the affinity of the enzymes for cellulose or their activity against soluble substrates, even when bound to cellulose via the CBDs. Truncated derivatives of XYLA lacking either the linker sequences or the CBD were less active against xylan contained in cellulose-hemicellulose complexes, compared with the full-length xylanase. Similarly, removal of the CBD from XYLC diminished the activity of the enzyme (XYLC''') against plant-cell-wall material containing highly substituted arabinoxylan. The role of CBDs and linker sequences in the catalytic activity of hemicellulases against the plant cell wall is discussed.

Multifactional glucanases

Diverse functional roles of multifunctional proteins arise from either their independent functional domains or dual activities mediated through a single active site. Presence of multifunctional proteins significantly enhances the metabolic efficiency of a cell. Microorganisms utilising complex substrates with extensive microheterogeneities, such as carbohydrates evolved batteries of multifunctional glucanases, facilitating parsimonious utilisation of these substrates. Various attempts have since been made to artificially construct these glucanases. Analysis of information on various glucanases would be helpful in understanding the evolutionary interrelationship between this class of enzymes and will give an insight into the structural features controlling different unrelated activities. This review examines the genesis, evolution and structural features of multifunctional glucanases.

Novel cellulose-binding domains, NodB homologues and conserved modular architecture in xylanases from the aerobic soil bacteria Pseudomonas fluorescens subsp. cellulosa and Cellvibrio mixtus

To test the hypothesis that selective pressure has led to the retention of cellulose-binding domains (CBDs) by hemicellulase enzymes from aerobic bacteria, four new xylanase (xyn) genes from two cellulolytic soil bacteria, Pseudomonas fluorescens subsp. cellulosa and Cellvibrio mixtus, have been isolated and sequenced. Pseudomonas genes xynE and xynF encoded modular xylanases (XYLE and XYLF) with predicted M(r) values of 68,600 and 65000 respectively. XYLE contained a glycosyl hydrolase family 11 catalytic domain at its N-terminus, followed by three other domains; the second of these exhibited sequence identity with NodB from rhizobia. The C-terminal domain (40 residues) exhibited significant sequence identity with a non-catalytic domain of previously unknown function, conserved in all the cellulases and one of the hemicellulases previously characterized from the pseudomonad, and was shown to function as a CBD when fused to the reporter protein glutathione-S-transferase. XYLF contained a C-terminal glycosyl hydrolase family 10 catalytic domain and a novel CBD at its N-terminus. C. mixtus genes xynA and xynB exhibited substantial sequence identity with xynE and xynF respectively, and encoded modular xylanases with the same molecular architecture and, by inference, the same functional properties. In the absence of extensive cross-hybridization between other multiple cel (cellulase) and xyn genes from P. fluorescens subsp. cellulosa and genomic DNA from C. mixtus, similarity between the two pairs of xylanases may indicate a recent transfer of genes between the two bacteria.

Cellobiohydrolase B, a second exo-cellobiohydrolase from the cellulolytic bacterium Cellulomonas fimi

The gene cbhB from the cellulolytic bacterium Cellulomonas fimi encodes a polypeptide of 1090 amino acids. Cellobiohydrolase B (CbhB) is 1037 amino acids long, with a calculated molecular mass of 109765 Da. The enzyme comprises five domains: an N-terminal catalytic domain of 643 amino acids, three fibronectin type III repeats of 97 amino acids each, and a C-terminal cellulose-binding domain of 104 amino acids. The catalytic domain belongs to family 48 of glycosyl hydrolases. CbhB has a very low activity on CM-cellulose. Viscometric analysis of CM-cellulose hydrolysis indicates that the enzyme is an exoglucanase. Cellobiose is the major product of hydrolysis of cellulose. In common with two other exoglycanases from C. fimi, CbhB has low but detectable endoglucanase activity. CbhB is the second exo-cellobiohydrolase found in C. fimi. Therefore, the cellulase system of C. fimi resembles those of fungi in comprising multiple endoglucanases and cellobiohydrolases.

Tracing the spread of fibronectin type III domains in bacterial glycohydrolases

The evolutionary spread of 22 fibronectin type III (Fn3) sequences among a dozen bacterial enzymes has been traced by searching databases with the non-Fn3 parts of the enzyme sequences. Numerous homologues were found that lacked the Fn3 domains. In each case the related sequences were aligned, phylogenetic trees were constructed, and the occurrences of Fn3 units on the trees were noted. Comparison with phylogenetic trees prepared from the Fn3 segments themselves allowed inferences to be made about when the Fn3 units were shuffled into their present positions.

Cloning and sequencing of an endo-beta-1,4-glucanase gene mcenA from Micromonospora cellulolyticum 86W-16

Endo-beta-1,4-glucanase gene mcenA of Micromonospora cellulolyticum 86W-16 was cloned, and the nucleotide sequence was determined. An open reading frame (ORF) of 1374 bases, coding for a peptide (McenA) of 457 amino acids and 46,742 Da, was found. It is preceded by a Gram-positive type of ribosome-binding site and followed by an imperfect inverted repeat. A putative signal peptide containing 23 amino acids is at the N-terminus and a linker region possessing 37 amino acids is in the midpart of McenA. The N-half of McenA functions as the catalytic domain and the C-half might serve as a cellulose-binding domain (CBD). Deletion of the latter did not decrease the CMCase activity of McenA. Significant similarity (70%) was found between the amino acid sequences of McenA and MbcelA, an endoglucanase from Microbispora bispora.

Changes in the molecular-size distribution of insoluble celluloses by the action of recombinant Cellulomonas fimi cellulases

Specific patterns of attacks of cotton, bacterial cellulose and bacterial microcrystalline cellulose (BMCC) by recombinant cellulases of Cellulomonas fimi were investigated. Molecular-size distributions of the celluloses were determined by high-performance size-exclusion chromatography. Chromatography of cotton and bacterial celluloses revealed single major peaks centered over progressively lower molecular-mass positions during attack by endoglucanase CenA. In advanced stages, a second peak appeared at very low average size (approx. 11 glucosyl units); ultimate weight losses were approximately 30%. The isolated catalytic domain of CenA, p30, gave results very similar to those with complete CenA. CenA did not effectively depolymerize or solubilize BMCC significantly. Molecular-size distributions of cotton and bacterial cellulose incubated with endoglucanases CenB or CenD exhibited one major peak regardless of incubation time; low-molecular-mass fragments did not accumulate. Weight losses were 40 and 35% respectively. The single peak shifted to lower-molecular-mass positions as incubation continued, but high-molecular-mass material persisted. CenB and CenD readily attacked and solubilized BMCC (approx. 70%). We conclude that CenA attacks cellulose by preferentially cleaving completely through the cellulose microfibrils at the amorphous sites, and much more slowly by degrading the crystalline surfaces. Conversely, CenB and CenD cleave the amorphous regions much less efficiently while vigorously degrading the surfaces of the crystalline regions of the microfibrils.

The roles of the C-terminal domain and type III domains of chitinase A1 from Bacillus circulans WL-12 in chitin degradation

The mature form of chitinase A1 from Bacillus circulans WL-12 comprises a C-terminal domain, two type III modules (domains), and a large N-terminal domain which contains the catalytic site of the enzyme. In order to better define the roles of these chitinase domains in chitin degradation, modified chiA genes encoding various deletions of chitinase A1 were constructed. The modified chiA genes were expressed in Escherichia coli, and the gene products were analyzed after purification by high-performance liquid chromatography. Intact chitinase A1 specifically bound to chitin, while it did not show significant binding activity towards partially acetylated chitosan and other insoluble polysaccharides. Chitinases lacking the C-terminal domain lost much of this binding activity to chitin as well as colloidal chitin-hydrolyzing activity. Deletion of the type III domains, on the other hand, did not affect chitin-binding activity but did result in significantly decreased colloidal chitin-hydrolyzing activity. Hydrolysis of low-molecular-weight substrates, soluble high-molecular-weight substrates, and insoluble high-molecular-weight substrates to which chitinase A1 does not bind were not significantly affected by these deletions. Thus, it was concluded that the C-terminal domain is a chitin-binding domain required for the specific binding to chitin and that this chitin-binding activity is important for efficient hydrolysis of the sufficiently acetylated chitin. Type III modules are not directly involved in the chitin binding but play an important functional role in the hydrolysis of chitin by the enzyme bound to chitin.

Cellobiohydrolase A (CbhA) from the cellulolytic bacterium Cellulomonas fimi is a beta-1,4-exocellobiohydrolase analogous to Trichoderma reesei CBH II

The gene cbhA from the cellulolytic bacterium Cellulomonas fimi encodes a protein of 872 amino acids designated cellobiohydrolase A (CbhA). Mature CbhA contains 832 amino acid residues and has a predicted molecular mass of 85,349 Da. It is composed of five domains: an N-terminal catalytic domain, three repeated sequences of 95 amino acids, and a C-terminal cellulose-binding domain typical of other C. fimi glycanases. The structure and enzymatic activities of the CbhA catalytic domain are closely related to those of CBH II, an exocellobiohydrolase in the glycosyl hydrolase family B from the fungus Trichoderma reesei. CbhA is the first such enzyme to be characterized in bacteria. The data support the proposal that extended loops around the active site distinguish exohydrolases from endohydrolases in this enzyme family.

Streptomyces lividans glycosylates the linker region of a beta-1,4-glycanase from Cellulomonas fimi

The beta-1,4-glycanase Cex of the gram-positive bacterium Cellulomonas fimi is a glycoprotein comprising a C-terminal cellulose-binding domain connected to an N-terminal catalytic domain by a linker containing only prolyl and threonyl (PT) residues. Cex is also glycosylated by Streptomyces lividans. The glycosylation of Cex produced in both C. fimi and S. lividans protects the enzyme from proteolysis. When the gene fragments encoding the cellulose-binding domain of Cex (CBDCex), the PT linker plus CBDCex (PT-CBDCex), and the catalytic domain plus CBDCex of Cex were expressed in S. lividans, only PT-CBDCex was glycosylated. Therefore, all the glycans must be O linked because only the PT linker was glycosylated. A glycosylated form and a nonglycosylated form of PT-CBDCex were produced by S. lividans. The glycosylated form of PT-CBDCex was heterogeneous; its average carbohydrate content was approximately 10 mol of D-mannose equivalents per mol of protein, but the glycans contained from 4 to 12 alpha-D-mannosyl and alpha-D-galactosyl residues. Glycosylated Cex from S. lividans was also heterogeneous. The presence of glycans on PT-CBDCex increased its affinity for bacterial microcrystalline cellulose. The location of glycosylation only on the linker region of Cex correlates with the properties conferred on the enzyme by the glycans.

The biological degradation of cellulose

Cellulolytic microorganisms play an important role in the biosphere by recycling cellulose, the most abundant carbohydrate produced by plants. Cellulose is a simple polymer, but it forms insoluble, crystalline microfibrils, which are highly resistant to enzymatic hydrolysis. All organisms known to degrade cellulose efficiently produce a battery of enzymes with different specificities, which act together in synergism. The study of cellulolytic enzymes at the molecular level has revealed some of the features that contribute to their activity. In spite of a considerable diversity, sequence comparisons show that the catalytic cores of cellulases belong to a restricted number of families. Within each family, available data suggest that the various enzymes share a common folding pattern, the same catalytic residues, and the same reaction mechanism, i.e. either single substitution with inversion of configuration or double substitution resulting in retention of the beta-configuration at the anomeric carbon. An increasing number of three-dimensional structures is becoming available for cellulases and xylanases belonging to different families, which will provide paradigms for molecular modeling of related enzymes. In addition to catalytic domains, many cellulolytic enzymes contain domains not involved in catalysis, but participating in substrate binding, multi-enzyme complex formation, or possibly attachment to the cell surface. Presumably, these domains assist in the degradation of crystalline cellulose by preventing the enzymes from being washed off from the surface of the substrate, by focusing hydrolysis on restricted areas in which the substrate is synergistically destabilized by multiple cutting events, and by facilitating recovery of the soluble degradation products by the cellulolytic organism. In most cellulolytic organisms, cellulase synthesis is repressed in the presence of easily metabolized, soluble carbon sources and induced in the presence of cellulose. Induction of cellulases appears to be effected by soluble products generated from cellulose by cellulolytic enzymes synthesized constitutively at a low level. These products are presumably converted into true inducers by transglycosylation reactions. Several applications of cellulases or hemicellulases are being developed for textile, food, and paper pulp processing. These applications are based on the modification of cellulose and hemicellulose by partial hydrolysis. Total hydrolysis of cellulose into glucose, which could be fermented into ethanol, isopropanol or butanol, is not yet economically feasible. However, the need to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases provides an added incentive for the development of processes generating fuels from cellulose, a major renewable carbon source.

Molecular analysis of the major cellulase (CelV) of Erwinia carotovora: evidence for an evolutionary "mix-and-match" of enzyme domains

The structural gene for the major cellulase of Erwinia carotovora subspecies carotovora (Ecc) was isolated and expressed in Escherichia coli. Sequencing of the gene (celV) revealed a typical signal sequence and two functional domains in the enzyme; a catalytic domain linked by a short proline/threonine-rich linker to a cellulose-binding domain (CBD). The deduced amino acid sequence of the catalytic domain showed homology with cellulases of Family A, including enzymes from Bacillus spp. and Erwinia chrysanthemi CelZ, whereas the CBD showed homology with cellulases from several diverse families, supporting a "mix-and-match" hypothesis for evolution of this domain. Analysis of the substrate specificity of CelV showed it to be an endoglucanase with some exoglucanase activity. The pH optimum is about 7.0 and the temperature optimum about 42 degrees C. CelV is secreted by Ecc and by the taxonomically related Erwinia carotovora subspecies atroseptica (Eca) but not by E. coli. Overproduction of the enzyme from multicopy plasmids in Ecc appears to overload the secretory mechanism.

Cloning, expression in Escherichia coli, and characterization of cellulolytic enzymes of Azoarcus sp., a root-invading diazotroph

We screened members of a new genus of grass-associated diazotrophs (Azoarcus spp.) for the presence of cellulolytic enzymes. Out of five Azoarcus strains representing different species, only in the endorhizosphere isolate BH72, which is also capable of invading grass roots, was significant endoglucanase activity, in addition to beta-glucosidase and cellobiohydrolase activity, present. Reducing sugars were readily released from medium-viscosity carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), but neither CMC, cellulose filter strips, Avicel, cellobiose, nor D-glucose served as the sole carbon source for growth of Azoarcus spp. Clones from a plasmid library of strain BH72 expressed all three enzymes in Escherichia coli, apparently not from their own promoter. According to restriction endonuclease mapping and subclone analysis, beta-glucosidase and cellobiohydrolase activities were localized on a single 2.6-kb fragment not physically linked to a 1.45-kb fragment from which endoglucanase (egl) was expressed. Two isoenzymes of endoglucanase probably resulting from proteolytic cleavage had pI values of 6.4 and 6.1 and an apparent molecular mass of approximately 36 kDa. Cellobiohydrolase and beta-glucosidase activity were conferred by one enzyme 41 kDa in size with a pI of 5.4, which we classified as an unspecific exoglycanase (exg) according to substrate utilization and specificity mapping; hydrolysis of various oligomeric substrates differentiated it from endoglucanase, which degraded substituted soluble cellulose derivatives but not microcrystalline cellulose. Both enzymes were not excreted but were associated with the surface of Azoarcus cells. Both activities were only slightly influenced by the presence of CMC or D-glucose in the growth medium but were enhanced by ethanol. egl was located on a large transcript approximately 15 kb in size, which was detectable only in cells grown under microaerobic conditions on N2. Surface-bound exo- and endoglucanases with some unusual regulatory features, detected in this study in a strain which is unable to metabolize cellulose or sugars, might assist Azoarcus sp. strain BH72 in infection of grass roots.

Cellulose-binding polypeptides from Cellulomonas fimi: endoglucanase D (CenD), a family A beta-1,4-glucanase

Five cellulose-binding polypeptides were detected in Cellulomonas fimi culture supernatants. Two of them are CenA and CenB, endo-beta-1,4-glucanases which have been characterized previously; the other three were previously uncharacterized polypeptides with apparent molecular masses of 120, 95, and 75 kDa. The 75-kDa cellulose-binding protein was designated endoglucanase D (CenD). The cenD gene was cloned and sequenced. It encodes a polypeptide of 747 amino acids. Mature CenD is 708 amino acids long and has a predicted molecular mass of 74,982 Da. Analysis of the predicted amino acid sequence of CenD shows that the enzyme comprises four domains which are separated by short linker polypeptides: an N-terminal catalytic domain of 405 amino acids, two repeated sequences of 95 amino acids each, and a C-terminal domain of 105 amino acids which is > 50% identical to the sequences of cellulose-binding domains in Cex, CenA, and CenB from C. fimi. Amino acid sequence comparison placed the catalytic domain of CenD in family A, subtype 1, of beta-1,4-glycanases. The repeated sequences are more than 40% identical to the sequences of three repeats in CenB and are related to the repeats of fibronectin type III. CenD hydrolyzed the beta-1,4-glucosidic bond with retention of anomeric configuration. The activities of CenD towards various cellulosic substrates were quite different from those of CenA and CenB.

Sequencing of a Clostridium thermocellum gene (cipA) encoding the cellulosomal SL-protein reveals an unusual degree of internal homology

It is known that two proteins of the cellulosomal complex of Clostridium thermocellum (SL and SS) together degrade crystalline cellulose. SL is a glycoprotein of 210,000 Da which enhances the binding to cellulose and the activity of SS, an endoglucanase of 83,000 Da. We have previously reported the cloning of a DNA fragment encoding the N-terminal end of the SL protein using antibodies raised against the native protein. A chromosomal walking approach using an EcoRI and a Bam HI-Sau3A gene library allowed us to isolate the C-terminal end of the gene. Sequencing of both fragments revealed the existence of a leader peptide as has been found in cellulases of the same organism. This leader sequence is followed by a stretch of 14 amino acids that is identical to the N-terminal amino acid sequence of the native secreted protein. The open reading frame (ORF) of this gene encodes a protein of 196,800 Da and is followed by a hairpin loop that could be involved in transcription termination. Within the open reading frame (ORF), we found nine internal repeated elements (IREs) of about 500 nucleotides each. Seven of these sequences displayed 98-100% homology and were located adjacent to each other within the structural gene without intervening regions. The remaining two, located on the N-terminal end of the gene, showed a significantly lower homology. Bearing in mind the inherent instability of reiterated regions, we confirmed the authenticity of our clones by Southern blot analysis using chromosomal C. thermocellum DNA and ruled out the possibility of rearrangements during the cloning and sequencing process. The sequenced gene is designated cipA and the encoded SL protein CipA.

The Dictyostelium discoideum spore germination-specific cellulase is organized into functional domains

During Dictyostelium discoideum spore germination, degradation of the cellulose-containing spore wall is required to allow the amoeba to emerge. The CelA gene, which is transcribed and expressed exclusively during spore germination, codes for a 705-amino-acid protein that has cellulase activity [endo-(1,4)-beta-D-glucanase]. Amoebae transformed by a vector containing the CelA coding sequence or portions of it transcribed from a heterologous promoter expressed and secreted full-length or suitably truncated proteins during vegetative growth when, under normal conditions, these proteins are not made. The gene constructs divided the CelA protein into three domains: a 461-amino-acid N-terminal region that has significant similarity to those of other cellulases and that has been shown to be the catalytic domain; a contiguous 91-residue repeat containing the motif threonine-glutamic acid-threonine-proline, which is glycosylated; and, joined to the repeat, a C-terminal 153-amino-acid sequence that most probably defines a cellulose-binding domain.

Fibronectin type III-like sequences and a new domain type in prokaryotic depolymerases with insoluble substrates

Fibronectin type III-like sequences are present in many proteins from higher eukaryotes and are involved in protein-protein interactions, heparin binding and cell adhesion. A nine-member family of bacterial sequences is shown to be significantly homologous to the type III-like sequences. All the sequences are contained in secreted depolymerases acting on complex, energy-rich insoluble substrates, in which they apparently do not participate in catalysis or substrate-binding, their exact function remaining unclear. Furthermore, a new family of sequences, present in some cellulases, is presented.

celA from Bacillus lautus PL236 encodes a novel cellulose-binding endo-beta-1,4-glucanase

celA from the cellulolytic bacterium Bacillus lautus PL236 encodes EG-A, an endo-beta-1,4-glucanase. An open reading frame of 2,100 bp preceded by a ribosome-binding site encodes a protein with a molecular mass of 76,863 Da with a typical signal sequence. The NH2-terminal active domain of EG-A is not homologous to any reported cellulase or xylanase and may represent a new family of such enzymes. A 150-amino-acid COOH-terminal peptide is homologous to noncatalytic domains in several other cellulases (A. Meinke, N.R. Gilkes, D.G. Kilburn, R.C. Miller, Jr., and R.A.J. Warren, J. Bacteriol. 173:7126-7135, 1991). Upstream of celA, a partial open reading frame encodes a 145-amino-acid peptide which also belongs to the family mentioned. Zymogram analysis of extracts from Escherichia coli and supernatants of Bacillus subtilis and B. megaterium, including protease-deficient mutants thereof, which express celA, revealed two active proteins, EG-A-L and EG-A-S, with Mrs of 74,000 and 57,000, respectively. The proportion of EG-A-L to EG-A-S depends on the extracellular proteolytic activity of the host organism, indicating that EG-A-S arises from posttranslational proteolytic modification of EG-A-L. Since EG-A-S has an NH2 terminus corresponding to the predicted NH2-terminal sequence of EG-A, processing appears to take place between the catalytic and noncatalytic domains described. EG-A-L and EG-A-S were purified to homogeneity and shown to have almost identical characteristics with respect to activity against soluble substrates and pH and temperature dependency. EG-A-L binds strongly to cellulose, in contrast to EG-A-S, and has higher activity against insoluble substrates than the latter. We conclude that the COOH-terminal 17,000-Mr peptide of EG-A-L constitutes a cellulose-binding domain.

The binding of Cellulomonas fimi endoglucanase C (CenC) to cellulose and Sephadex is mediated by the N-terminal repeats

Endoglucanase C (CenC) from Cellulomonas fimi binds to cellulose and to Sephadex. The enzyme has two contiguous 150-amino-acid repeats (N1 and N2) at its N-terminus and two unrelated contiguous 100-amino-acid repeats (C1 and C2) at its C-terminus. Polypeptides corresponding to N1, N1N2, C1, and C1C2 were produced by expression of appropriate cenC gene fragments in Escherichia coli. N1N2, but not N1 alone, binds to Sephadex; both polypeptides bind to Avicel, (a heterogeneous cellulose preparation containing both crystalline and non-crystalline components). Neither C1 nor C1C2 binds to Avicel or Sephadex. N1N2 and N1 bind to regenerated ('amorphous') cellulose but not to bacterial crystalline cellulose; the cellulose-binding domain of C. fimi exoglucanase Cex binds to both of these forms of cellulose. Amino acid sequence comparison reveals that N1 and N2 are distantly related to the cellulose-binding domains of Cex and C. fimi endoglucanases A and B.