Enzymology
Structural basis of the strict specificity of a bacterial GH31 α-1,3-glucosidase for nigerooligosaccharides
Carbohydrate-active enzymes are involved in the degradation, biosynthesis, and modification of carbohydrates and vary with the diversity of carbohydrates. The glycoside hydrolase (GH) family 31 is one of the most diverse families of carbohydrate-active enzymes, containing various enzymes that act on α-glycosides. However, the function of some GH31 groups remains unknown, as their enzymatic activity is difficult to estimate due to the low amino acid sequence similarity between characterized and uncharacterized members.Unique active-site and subsite features in the arabinogalactan-degrading GH43 exo-β-1,3-galactanase from Phanerochaete chrysosporium
Arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs) are plant proteoglycans with functions in growth and development. However, these functions are largely unexplored, mainly because of the complexity of the sugar moieties. These carbohydrate sequences are generally analyzed with the aid of glycoside hydrolases. The exo-β-1,3-galactanase is a glycoside hydrolase from the basidiomycete Phanerochaete chrysosporium (Pc1,3Gal43A), which specifically cleaves AGPs. However, its structure is not known in relation to its mechanism bypassing side chains.A trimodular bacterial enzyme combining hydrolytic activity with oxidative glycosidic bond cleavage efficiently degrades chitin
Findings from recent studies have indicated that enzymes containing more than one catalytic domain may be particularly powerful in the degradation of recalcitrant polysaccharides such as chitin and cellulose. Some known multicatalytic enzymes contain several glycoside hydrolase domains and one or more carbohydrate-binding modules (CBMs). Here, using bioinformatics and biochemical analyses, we identified an enzyme, Jd1381 from the actinobacterium Jonesia denitrificans, that uniquely combines two different polysaccharide-degrading activities.Structure–function analysis of silkworm sucrose hydrolase uncovers the mechanism of substrate specificity in GH13 subfamily 17 exo-α-glucosidases
The domestic silkworm Bombyx mori expresses two sucrose-hydrolyzing enzymes, BmSUH and BmSUC1, belonging to glycoside hydrolase family 13 subfamily 17 (GH13_17) and GH32, respectively. BmSUH has little activity on maltooligosaccharides, whereas other insect GH13_17 α-glucosidases are active on sucrose and maltooligosaccharides. Little is currently known about the structural mechanisms and substrate specificity of GH13_17 enzymes. In this study, we examined the crystal structures of BmSUH without ligands; in complexes with substrates, products, and inhibitors; and complexed with its covalent intermediate at 1.60–1.85 Å resolutions.Substrate specificity, regiospecificity, and processivity in glycoside hydrolase family 74
Glycoside hydrolase family 74 (GH74) is a historically important family of endo-β-glucanases. On the basis of early reports of detectable activity on cellulose and soluble cellulose derivatives, GH74 was originally considered to be a “cellulase” family, although more recent studies have generally indicated a high specificity toward the ubiquitous plant cell wall matrix glycan xyloglucan. Previous studies have indicated that GH74 xyloglucanases differ in backbone cleavage regiospecificities and can adopt three distinct hydrolytic modes of action: exo, endo-dissociative, and endo-processive.A surface-exposed GH26 β-mannanase from Bacteroides ovatus: Structure, role, and phylogenetic analysis of BoMan26B
The galactomannan utilization locus (BoManPUL) of the human gut bacterium Bacteroides ovatus encodes BoMan26B, a cell-surface–exposed endomannanase whose functional and structural features have been unclear. Our study now places BoMan26B in context with related enzymes and reveals the structural basis for its specificity. BoMan26B prefers longer substrates and is less restricted by galactose side-groups than the mannanase BoMan26A of the same locus. Using galactomannan, BoMan26B generated a mixture of (galactosyl) manno-oligosaccharides shorter than mannohexaose.Structural and functional analyses of glycoside hydrolase 138 enzymes targeting chain A galacturonic acid in the complex pectin rhamnogalacturonan II
The metabolism of carbohydrate polymers drives microbial diversity in the human gut microbiome. The selection pressures in this environment have spurred the evolution of a complex reservoir of microbial genes encoding carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes). Previously, we have shown that the human gut bacterium Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron (Bt) can depolymerize the most structurally complex glycan, the plant pectin rhamnogalacturonan II (RGII), commonly found in the human diet. Previous investigation of the RGII-degrading apparatus in Bt identified BT0997 as a new CAZyme family, classified as glycoside hydrolase 138 (GH138).Unraveling the subtleties of β-(1→3)-glucan phosphorylase specificity in the GH94, GH149, and GH161 glycoside hydrolase families
Glycoside phosphorylases (GPs) catalyze the phosphorolysis of glycans into the corresponding sugar 1-phosphates and shortened glycan chains. Given the diversity of natural β-(1→3)-glucans and their wide range of biotechnological applications, the identification of enzymatic tools that can act on β-(1→3)-glucooligosaccharides is an attractive area of research. GP activities acting on β-(1→3)-glucooligosaccharides have been described in bacteria, the photosynthetic excavate Euglena gracilis, and the heterokont Ochromonas spp.Tissue-specific kinase expression and activity regulate flux through the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex
The pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC) is a multienzyme assembly that converts pyruvate to acetyl-CoA. As pyruvate and acetyl-CoA play central roles in cellular metabolism, understanding PDC regulation is pivotal to understanding the larger metabolic network. The activity of mammalian PDC is regulated through reversible phosphorylation governed by at least four isozymes of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase (PDK). Deciphering which kinase regulates PDC in organisms at specific times or places has been challenging.Structural features of a bacterial cyclic α-maltosyl-(1→6)-maltose (CMM) hydrolase critical for CMM recognition and hydrolysis
Cyclic α-maltosyl-(1→6)-maltose (CMM, cyclo-{→6)-α-d-Glcp-(1→4)-α-d-Glcp-(1→6)-α-d-Glcp-(1→4)-α-d-Glcp-(1→})is a cyclic glucotetrasaccharide with alternating α-1,4 and α-1,6 linkages. CMM is composed of two maltose units and is one of the smallest cyclic glucooligosaccharides. Although CMM is resistant to usual amylases, it is efficiently hydrolyzed by CMM hydrolase (CMMase), belonging to subfamily 20 of glycoside hydrolase family 13 (GH13_20). Here, we determined the ligand-free crystal structure of CMMase from the soil-associated bacterium Arthrobacter globiformis and its structures in complex with maltose, panose, and CMM to elucidate the structural basis of substrate recognition by CMMase.Structural and thermodynamic insights into β-1,2-glucooligosaccharide capture by a solute-binding protein in Listeria innocua
β-1,2-Glucans are bacterial carbohydrates that exist in cyclic or linear forms and play an important role in infections and symbioses involving Gram-negative bacteria. Although several β-1,2-glucan–associated enzymes have been characterized, little is known about how β-1,2-glucan and its shorter oligosaccharides (Sopns) are captured and imported into the bacterial cell. Here, we report the biochemical and structural characteristics of the Sopn-binding protein (SO-BP, Lin1841) associated with the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter from the Gram-positive bacterium Listeria innocua.Discovery of α-l-arabinopyranosidases from human gut microbiome expands the diversity within glycoside hydrolase family 42
Enzymes of the glycoside hydrolase family 42 (GH42) are widespread in bacteria of the human gut microbiome and play fundamental roles in the decomposition of both milk and plant oligosaccharides. All GH42 enzymes characterized so far have β-galactosidase activity. Here, we report the existence of a GH42 subfamily that is exclusively specific for α-l-arabinopyranoside and describe the first representative of this subfamily. We found that this enzyme (BlArap42B) from a probiotic Bifidobacterium species cannot hydrolyze β-galactosides.Structure-function analysis of human sucrase-isomaltase identifies key residues required for catalytic activity
Sucrase-isomaltase (SI) is an intestinal membrane-associated α-glucosidase that breaks down di- and oligosaccharides to absorbable monosaccharides. SI has two homologous functional subunits (sucrase and isomaltase) that both belong to the glycoside hydrolase family 31 (GH31) and differ in substrate specificity. All GH31 enzymes share a consensus sequence harboring an aspartic acid residue as a catalytic nucleophile. Moreover, crystallographic structural analysis of isomaltase predicts that another aspartic acid residue functions as a proton donor in hydrolysis.Stability and Ligand Promiscuity of Type A Carbohydrate-binding Modules Are Illustrated by the Structure of Spirochaeta thermophila StCBM64C
Deconstruction of cellulose, the most abundant plant cell wall polysaccharide, requires the cooperative activity of a large repertoire of microbial enzymes. Modular cellulases contain non-catalytic type A carbohydrate-binding modules (CBMs) that specifically bind to the crystalline regions of cellulose, thus promoting enzyme efficacy through proximity and targeting effects. Although type A CBMs play a critical role in cellulose recycling, their mechanism of action remains poorly understood. Here we produced a library of recombinant CBMs representative of the known diversity of type A modules.Molecular Mechanisms of Allosteric Inhibition of Brain Glycogen Phosphorylase by Neurotoxic Dithiocarbamate Chemicals
Dithiocarbamates (DTCs) are important industrial chemicals used extensively as pesticides and in a variety of therapeutic applications. However, they have also been associated with neurotoxic effects and in particular with the development of Parkinson-like neuropathy. Although different pathways and enzymes (such as ubiquitin ligases or the proteasome) have been identified as potential targets of DTCs in the brain, the molecular mechanisms underlying their neurotoxicity remain poorly understood.The Production and Utilization of GDP-glucose in the Biosynthesis of Trehalose 6-Phosphate by Streptomyces venezuelae
Trehalose-6-phosphate synthase OtsA from streptomycetes is unusual in that it uses GDP-glucose as the donor substrate rather than the more commonly used UDP-glucose. We now confirm that OtsA from Streptomyces venezuelae has such a preference for GDP-glucose and can utilize ADP-glucose to some extent too. A crystal structure of the enzyme shows that it shares twin Rossmann-like domains with the UDP-glucose-specific OtsA from Escherichia coli. However, it is structurally more similar to Streptomyces hygroscopicus VldE, a GDP-valienol-dependent pseudoglycosyltransferase enzyme.Molecular Identification of d-Ribulokinase in Budding Yeast and Mammals
Proteomes of even well characterized organisms still contain a high percentage of proteins with unknown or uncertain molecular and/or biological function. A significant fraction of those proteins is predicted to have catalytic properties. Here we aimed at identifying the function of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Ydr109c protein and its human homolog FGGY, both of which belong to the broadly conserved FGGY family of carbohydrate kinases. Functionally identified members of this family phosphorylate 3- to 7-carbon sugars or sugar derivatives, but the endogenous substrate of S.Galactomannan Catabolism Conferred by a Polysaccharide Utilization Locus of Bacteroides ovatus: ENZYME SYNERGY AND CRYSTAL STRUCTURE OF A β-MANNANASE
A recently identified polysaccharide utilization locus (PUL) from Bacteroides ovatus ATCC 8483 is transcriptionally up-regulated during growth on galacto- and glucomannans. It encodes two glycoside hydrolase family 26 (GH26) β-mannanases, BoMan26A and BoMan26B, and a GH36 α-galactosidase, BoGal36A. The PUL also includes two glycan-binding proteins, confirmed by β-mannan affinity electrophoresis. When this PUL was deleted, B. ovatus was no longer able to grow on locust bean galactomannan. BoMan26A primarily formed mannobiose from mannan polysaccharides.An Isozyme-specific Redox Switch in Human Brain Glycogen Phosphorylase Modulates Its Allosteric Activation by AMP
Brain glycogen and its metabolism are increasingly recognized as major players in brain functions. Moreover, alteration of glycogen metabolism in the brain contributes to neurodegenerative processes. In the brain, both muscle and brain glycogen phosphorylase isozymes regulate glycogen mobilization. However, given their distinct regulatory features, these two isozymes could confer distinct metabolic functions of glycogen in brain. Interestingly, recent proteomics studies have identified isozyme-specific reactive cysteine residues in brain glycogen phosphorylase (bGP).Two Novel Glycoside Hydrolases Responsible for the Catabolism of Cyclobis-(1→6)-α-nigerosyl
The actinobacterium Kribbella flavida NBRC 14399T produces cyclobis-(1→6)-α-nigerosyl (CNN), a cyclic glucotetraose with alternate α-(1→6)- and α-(1→3)-glucosidic linkages, from starch in the culture medium. We identified gene clusters associated with the production and intracellular catabolism of CNN in the K. flavida genome. One cluster encodes 6-α-glucosyltransferase and 3-α-isomaltosyltransferase, which are known to coproduce CNN from starch. The other cluster contains four genes annotated as a transcriptional regulator, sugar transporter, glycoside hydrolase family (GH) 31 protein (Kfla1895), and GH15 protein (Kfla1896).ATP-binding Cassette (ABC) Transport System Solute-binding Protein-guided Identification of Novel d-Altritol and Galactitol Catabolic Pathways in Agrobacterium tumefaciens C58
Background: Solute-binding proteins for ABC transport systems can be used to guide discovery of novel enzymes and metabolic pathways.Results: Novel metabolic pathways were discovered for d-altritol and galactitol catabolism.Conclusion: More than 2,000 proteins with previously unknown functions were annotated using this strategy.Significance: Strategies are described that can be used to address misannotation in protein databases.Crystal Structure and Mutational Analysis of Isomalto-dextranase, a Member of Glycoside Hydrolase Family 27
Background: Arthrobacter globiformis T6 isomalto-dextranase (AgIMD) hydrolyzes a polysaccharide, dextran, but is classified into glycoside hydrolase family (GH) 27, which includes mainly α-galactosidases and α-N-acetylgalactosaminidases.Results: The crystal structure of AgIMD was determined.Conclusion: AgIMD has features found in GH13, GH31, and GH66 enzymes.Significance: The results provide insights into the evolutionary relationships among GH13, -27, -31, -36, and -66.Discovery of PPi-type Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase Genes in Eukaryotes and Bacteria
Background: Inorganic pyrophosphate-type phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PPi-PEPCK) was unidentified.Results: A conserved hypothetical protein was annotated as PPi-PEPCK.Conclusion: PPi-PEPCK arose independently from the functional homologs ATP/GTP-PEPCKs and PEP carboxylase.Significance: Identification of PPi-PEPCK reveals the wide distribution of this enzyme and accelerates understanding the diversity of the central metabolism.Mechanistic Insights into Glucan Phosphatase Activity against Polyglucan Substrates
Background: Glucan phosphatases are essential for glycogen and starch metabolism.Results: Comparative enzymology of glucan phosphatases defines the mechanism for specific activity versus physiological glucan substrates.Conclusion: Glucan phosphatases possess a common active site motif but unique specific activities determined by phosphatase and carbohydrate binding domains.Significance: Defining glucan dephosphorylation is essential for understanding normal plant and animal physiology and human disease.
