Characterization of a GH8 β-1,4-Glucanase from Bacillus subtilis B111 and Its Saccharification Potential for Agricultural Straws

A rumen-derived bifunctional glucanase/mannanase uncanonically releases oligosaccharides with a high degree of polymerization preferentially from branched substrates

Glycoside hydrolases (GHs) are known to depolymerize polysaccharides into oligo-/mono-saccharides, they are extensively used as additives for both animals feed and our food. Here we reported the characterization of IDSGH5-14(CD), a weakly-acidic mesophilic bifunctional mannanase/glucanase of GH5, originally isolated from sheep rumen microbes. Biochemical characterization studies revealed that IDSGH5-14(CD) exhibited preferential hydrolysis of mannan-like and glucan-like substrates. Interestingly, the enzyme exhibited significantly robust catalytic activity towards branched-substrates compared to linear polysaccharides (P < 0.05). Substrate hydrolysis pattern indicated that IDSGH5-14(CD) predominantly liberated oligosaccharides with a degree of polymerization (DP) of 3-7 as the end products, dramatically distinct from canonical endo-acting enzymes. Comparative modeling revealed that IDSGH5-14(CD) was mainly comprised of a (β/α)8-barrel-like structure with a spacious catalytic cleft on surface, facilitating the enzyme to target high-DP or branched oligosaccharides. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations further suggested that the branched-ligand, 64-α-D-galactosyl-mannohexose, was steadily accommodated within the catalytic pocket via a two-sided clamp formed by the aromatic residues. This study first reports a bifunctional GH5 enzyme that predominantly generates high-DP oligosaccharides, preferentially from branched-substrates. This provides novel insights into the catalytic mechanism and molecular underpinnings of polysaccharide depolymerization, with potential implications for feed additive development and high-DP oligosaccharides preparation.

Structure, in vitro digestive characteristics and effect on gut microbiota of sea cucumber polysaccharide fermented by Bacillus subtilis Natto

This study aimed to understand the structural, digestion and fecal fermentation behaviors of sea cucumber polysaccharide fermented by Bacillus subtilis Natto. Results showed that both sea cucumber polysaccharide (SP) and fermented sea cucumber polysaccharide (FSP) were sulfated polysaccharides mainly containing fucose. The physicochemical property, molecular weight, thermal property, and functional groups were no significant difference between SP and FSP, but the microscopic morphology and monosaccharide composition of FSP changed. Both SP and FSP showed similar digestion and fecal fermentation characteristics, that is, they could not be digested by saliva and gastric juice, but could be partially degraded by small intestine. Due to the decomposition of glycosidic bonds after intestinal digestion and fecal fermentation, the relative molecular mass of SP and FSP decreased. In terms of impacts on gut microbiota, Lachnospira, Bacteroides finegoldii, and Bifidobacteriaceae were significantly increased in SP, while Acinetobacter was significantly increased in FSP. This study provides a good understanding of the changes in the structure and digestive characteristics of sea cucumber polysaccharides caused by fermentation. That information will be beneficial for the development and application of new fermented sea cucumber products.

Microbial β-glucanases: production, properties, and engineering

Lignocellulosic biomass, which mainly consists of cellulose and hemicellulose, is the most abundant renewable biopolymer on earth. β-Glucanases are glycoside hydrolases (GHs) that hydrolyze β-glucan, one of the dominant components of the plant cell wall, into cello-oligosaccharides and glucose. Among them, endo-β-1,4-glucanase (EC 3.2.1.4), exo-glucanase/cellobiohydrolase (EC 3.2.1.91), and β-glucosidase (EC 3.2.1.21) play critical roles in the digestion of glucan-like substrates. β-Glucanases have attracted considerable interest within the scientific community due to their applications in the feed, food, and textile industries. In the past decade, there has been considerable progress in the discovery, production, and characterization of novel β-glucanases. Advances in the development of next-generation sequencing techniques, including metagenomics and metatranscriptomics, have unveiled novel β-glucanases isolated from the gastrointestinal microbiota. The study of β-glucanases is beneficial for research and development of commercial products. In this study, we review the classification, properties, and engineering of β-glucanases.

A thermo-alkali stable and detergent compatible processive β-1,4-glucanase from Himalayan Bacillus sp. PCH94

Present study reports a novel and robust GH9 processive endoglucanase β-1,4-glucanase from Bacillus sp. PCH94 (EGaseBL) with thermo-alkali stable properties. The EGaseBL gene was cloned in pET-28b(+) and expressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) cells. The recombinant protein was purified 94-fold with a yield of 67.8%. The biochemical characterization revealed an active enzyme at a wide pH (4.0–10.0) and temperature (4–100°C). It showed a Km and Vmax of 1.10 mg/ml and 208.24 IU/mg, respectively, using β-glucan as a substrate. The EGaseBL showed dual activities for endoglucanase (134.17 IU/mg) and exoglucanase (28.76 IU/mg), assayed using substrates β-glucan and Avicel, respectively. The enzyme is highly stable in neutral and alkaline pH and showed a half-life of 11.29 h, and 8.31 h in pH 7.0 and 9.0, respectively. The enzyme is also compatible with commercial detergents (Tide, Surf, Ghadi, Raj, and Healing tree) of the Indian market and retained &gt; 85% enzyme activity. Concisely, robustness, extreme functionality, and detergent compatibility endorse EGaseBL as a potential bioresource for the detergent industry, in addition to its implications for the bioethanol industry.

Recent progress in key lignocellulosic enzymes: Enzyme discovery, molecular modifications, production, and enzymatic biomass saccharification

Lignocellulose, the most prevalent biomass on earth, can be enzymatically converted into carbohydrates for bioethanol production and other uses. Among lignocellulosic enzymes, endoglucanase, xylanase, and laccase are the key enzymes, owing to their ability to disrupt the main structure of lignocellulose. Recently, new discovery methods have been established to obtain key lignocellulosic enzymes with excellent enzymatic properties. Molecular modification of enzymes to modulate their thermostability, catalytic activity, and substrate specificity has been performed with protein engineering technology. In addition, the enzyme expression has been effectively improved through expression element screening and host modification, as well as fermentation optimization. Immobilization of enzymes, use of surfactants, synergistic degradation, and optimization of reaction conditions have addressed the inefficiency of enzymatic saccharification. In this review, recent advances in key lignocellulosic enzymes are summarized, along with future prospects for the development of super-engineered strains and integrative technologies for enzymatic biomass saccharification.

Novel, acidic, and cold-adapted glycoside hydrolase family 8 endo-β-1,4-glucanase from an Antarctic lichen-associated bacterium, Lichenicola cladoniae PAMC 26568

Endo-β-1,4-glucanase is a crucial glycoside hydrolase (GH) involved in the decomposition of cellulosic materials. In this study, to discover a novel cold-adapted β-1,4-D-glucan-degrading enzyme, the gene coding for an extracellular endo-β-1,4-glucanase (GluL) from Lichenicola cladoniae PAMC 26568, an Antarctic lichen (Cladonia borealis)-associated bacterium, was identified and recombinantly expressed in Escherichia coli BL21. The GluL gene (1044-bp) encoded a non-modular polypeptide consisting of a single catalytic GH8 domain, which shared the highest sequence identity of 55% with that of an uncharacterized protein from Gluconacetobacter takamatsuzukensis (WP_182950054). The recombinant endo-β-1,4-glucanase (rGluL: 38.0 kDa) most efficiently degraded sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) at pH 4.0 and 45°C, and showed approximately 23% of its maximum degradation activity even at 3°C. The biocatalytic activity of rGluL was noticeably enhanced by &gt;1.3-fold in the presence of 1 mM Mn2+ or NaCl at concentrations between 0.1 and 0.5 M, whereas the enzyme was considerably downregulated by 1 mM Hg2+ and Fe2+ together with 5 mM N-bromosuccinimide and 0.5% sodium dodecyl sulfate. rGluL is a true endo-β-1,4-glucanase, which could preferentially decompose D-cellooligosaccharides consisting of 3 to 6 D-glucose, CMC, and barley β-glucan, without other additional glycoside hydrolase activities. The specific activity (15.1 U mg–1) and kcat/Km value (6.35 mg–1 s–1mL) of rGluL toward barley β-glucan were approximately 1.8- and 2.2-fold higher, respectively, compared to its specific activity (8.3 U mg–1) and kcat/Km value (2.83 mg–1 s–1mL) toward CMC. The enzymatic hydrolysis of CMC, D-cellotetraose, and D-cellohexaose yielded primarily D-cellobiose, accompanied by D-glucose, D-cellotriose, and D-cellotetraose. However, the cleavage of D-cellopentaose by rGluL resulted in the production of only D-cellobiose and D-cellotriose. The findings of the present study imply that rGluL is a novel, acidic, and cold-adapted GH8 endo-β-1,4-glucanase with high specific activity, which can be exploited as a promising candidate in low-temperature processes including textile and food processes.