Solution structure of the cellulose-binding domain of endoglucanase I from Trichoderma reesei and its interaction with cello-oligosaccharides

Cellulose Degradation Enzymes in Filamentous Fungi, A Bioprocessing Approach Towards Biorefinery

The economic exploration of renewable energy resources has hot fundamentals among the countries besides dwindling energy resources and increasing public pressure. Cellulose accumulation is a major bio-natural resource from agricultural waste. Cellulases are the most potential enzymes that systematically degrade cellulosic biomass into monomers which could be further processed into several efficient value-added products via chemical and biological reactions including useful biomaterial for human benefits. This could lower the environmental risks problems followed by an energy crisis. Cellulases are mainly synthesized by special fungal genotypes. The strain Trichoderma orientalis could highly express cellulases and was regarded as an ideal strain for further research, as the genetic tools have found compatibility for cellulose breakdown by producing effective cellulose-degrading enzymes. This strain has found a cellulase production of about 35 g/L that needs further studies for advancement. The enzyme activity of strain Trichoderma orientalis needed to be further improved from a molecular level which is one of the important methods. Considering synthetic biological approaches to unveil the genetic tools will boost the knowledge about commercial cellulases bioproduction. Several genetic transformation methods were significantly cited in this study. The transformation approaches that are currently researchers are exploring is transcription regulatory factors that are deeply explained in this study, that are considered essential regulators of gene expression.

Functional analysis of chimeric TrCel6A enzymes with different carbohydrate binding modules

The glycoside hydrolase (GH) family 6 is an important group of enzymes that constitute an essential part of industrial enzyme cocktails used to convert lignocellulose into fermentable sugars. In nature, enzymes from this family often have a carbohydrate binding module (CBM) from the CBM family 1. These modules are known to promote adsorption to the cellulose surface and influence enzymatic activity. Here, we have investigated the functional diversity of CBMs found within the GH6 family. This was done by constructing five chimeric enzymes based on the model enzyme, TrCel6A, from the soft-rot fungus Trichoderma reesei. The natural CBM of this enzyme was exchanged with CBMs from other GH6 enzymes originating from different cellulose degrading fungi. The chimeric enzymes were expressed in the same host and investigated in adsorption and quasi-steady-state kinetic experiments. Our results quantified functional differences of these phylogenetically distant binding modules. Thus, the partitioning coefficient for substrate binding varied 4-fold, while the maximal turnover (kcat) showed a 2-fold difference. The wild-type enzyme showed the highest cellulose affinity on all tested substrates and the highest catalytic turnover. The CBM from Serendipita indica strongly promoted the enzyme's ability to form productive complexes with sites on the substrate surface but showed lower turnover of the complex. We conclude that the CBM plays an important role for the functional differences between GH6 wild-type enzymes.

Comparison of three seemingly similar lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases from Neurospora crassa suggests different roles in plant biomass degradation

Many fungi produce multiple lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) with seemingly similar functions, but the biological reason for this multiplicity remains unknown. To address this question, here we carried out comparative structural and functional characterizations of three cellulose-active C4-oxidizing family AA9 LPMOs from the fungus Neurospora crassa, NcLPMO9A (NCU02240), NcLPMO9C (NCU02916), and NcLPMO9D (NCU01050). We solved the three-dimensional structure of copper-bound NcLPMO9A at 1.6-Å resolution and found that NcLPMO9A and NcLPMO9C, containing a CBM1 carbohydrate-binding module, bind cellulose more strongly and were less susceptible to inactivation than NcLPMO9D, which lacks a CBM. All three LPMOs were active on tamarind xyloglucan and konjac glucomannan, generating similar products but clearly differing in activity levels. Importantly, in some cases, the addition of phosphoric acid-swollen cellulose (PASC) had a major effect on activity: NcLPMO9A was active on xyloglucan only in the presence of PASC, and PASC enhanced NcLPMO9D activity on glucomannan. Interestingly, the three enzymes also exhibited large differences in their interactions with enzymatic electron donors, which could reflect that they are optimized to act with different reducing partners. All three enzymes efficiently used H₂O₂ as a cosubstrate, yielding product profiles identical to those obtained in O₂-driven reactions with PASC, xyloglucan, or glucomannan. Our results indicate that seemingly similar LPMOs act preferentially on different types of copolymeric substructures in the plant cell wall, possibly because these LPMOs are functionally adapted to distinct niches differing in the types of available reductants.

Structural studies of a glycoside hydrolase family 3 β-glucosidase from the model fungus Neurospora crassa

The glycoside hydrolase family 3 (GH3) β-glucosidases are a structurally diverse family of enzymes. Cel3A from Neurospora crassa (NcCel3A) belongs to a subfamily of key enzymes that are crucial for industrial biomass degradation. β-Glucosidases hydrolyse the β-1,4 bond at the nonreducing end of cellodextrins. The hydrolysis of cellobiose is of special importance as its accumulation inhibits other cellulases acting on crystalline cellulose. Here, the crystal structure of the biologically relevant dimeric form of NcCel3A is reported. The structure has been refined to 2.25 Å resolution, with an Rcryst and Rfree of 0.18 and 0.22, respectively. NcCel3A is an extensively N-glycosylated glycoprotein that shares 46% sequence identity with Hypocrea jecorina Cel3A, the structure of which has recently been published, and 61% sequence identity with the thermophilic β-glucosidase from Rasamsonia emersonii. NcCel3A is a three-domain protein with a number of extended loops that deepen the active-site cleft of the enzyme. These structures characterize this subfamily of GH3 β-glucosidases and account for the high cellobiose specificity of this subfamily.

Fungal-type carbohydrate binding modules from the coccolithophore Emiliania huxleyi show binding affinity to cellulose and chitin

Six fungal-type cellulose binding domains were found in the genome of the coccolithophore Emiliania huxleyi and cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. Sequence comparison indicate high similarity to fungal cellulose binding domains, raising the question of why these domains exist in coccolithophores. The proteins were tested for binding with cellulose and chitin as ligands, which resulted in the identification of two functional carbohydrate binding modules: EHUX2 and EHUX4. Compared to benchmark fungal cellulose binding domain Cel7A-CBM1 from Trichoderma reesei, these proteins showed slightly lower binding to birch and bacterial cellulose, but were more efficient chitin binders. Finally, a set of cellulose binding domains was created based on the shuffling of one well-functioning and one non-functional domain. These were characterized in order to get more information of the binding domain’s sequence–function relationship, indicating characteristic differences between the molecular basis of cellulose versus chitin recognition. As previous reports have showed the presence of cellulose in coccoliths and here we find functional cellulose binding modules, a possible connection is discussed.

Advances in molecular engineering of carbohydrate-binding modules

Carbohydrate-binding modules (CBMs) are non-catalytic domains that are generally appended to carbohydrate-active enzymes. CBMs have a broadly conserved structure that allows recognition of a notable variety of carbohydrates, in both their soluble and insoluble forms, as well as in their alpha and beta conformations and with different types of bonds or substitutions. This versatility suggests a high functional plasticity that is not yet clearly understood, in spite of the important number of studies relating protein structure and function. Several studies have explored the flexibility of these systems by changing or improving their specificity toward substrates of interest. In this review, we examine the molecular strategies used to identify CBMs with novel or improved characteristics. The impact of the spatial arrangement of the functional amino acids of CBMs is discussed in terms of unexpected new functions that are not related to the original biological roles of the enzymes. Proteins 2017; 85:1602-1617. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

O-glycosylation effects on family 1 carbohydrate-binding module solution structures

Family 1 carbohydrate-binding modules (CBMs) are ubiquitous components of multimodular fungal enzymes that degrade plant cell wall polysaccharides and bind specifically to cellulose. Native glycosylation of family 1 CBMs has been shown to substantially impact multiple physical properties, including thermal and proteolytic stability and cellulose binding affinity. To gain molecular insights into the changes in CBM properties upon glycosylation, solution structures of two glycoforms of a Trichoderma reesei family 1 CBM were studied by NMR spectroscopy: a glycosylated family 1 CBM with a mannose group attached to both Thr1 and Ser3 and a second family 1 CBM with single mannose groups attached to Thr1, Ser3 and Ser14. The structures clearly reveal that monosaccharides at both Ser3 and Ser14 on family 1 CBMs present additional cellulose binding platforms, similar to well-characterized aromatic residues at the binding interface, which align to the cellulose surface. These results are in agreement with previous experimental work demonstrating that glycans at Ser3 and Ser14 impart significant improvements in binding affinity. Additionally, detailed analysis of the NMR structures and molecular simulations indicates that the protein backbone of the CBM is not significantly altered by attachment of monosaccharides, and that the mannose attached to Ser14 may be more flexible than the mannose at Ser3. Overall, the present study reveals how family 1 CBM structures are affected by covalent attachment of monosaccharides, which are likely important post-translational modifications of these common subdomains of fungal plant cell wall degrading enzymes.

DATABASE

Structural data have been deposited in the RCSB Protein Data Bank (PDB codes: 2MWJ and 2MWK) and the BioMagRes Bank (BMRB codes: 25331 and 25332) for CBM_M2 and CBM_M3, respectively.

Structural and Functional Characterization of a Lytic Polysaccharide Monooxygenase with Broad Substrate Specificity

The recently discovered lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) carry out oxidative cleavage of polysaccharides and are of major importance for efficient processing of biomass. NcLPMO9C from Neurospora crassa acts both on cellulose and on non-cellulose β-glucans, including cellodextrins and xyloglucan. The crystal structure of the catalytic domain of NcLPMO9C revealed an extended, highly polar substrate-binding surface well suited to interact with a variety of sugar substrates. The ability of NcLPMO9C to act on soluble substrates was exploited to study enzyme-substrate interactions. EPR studies demonstrated that the Cu(2+) center environment is altered upon substrate binding, whereas isothermal titration calorimetry studies revealed binding affinities in the low micromolar range for polymeric substrates that are due in part to the presence of a carbohydrate-binding module (CBM1). Importantly, the novel structure of NcLPMO9C enabled a comparative study, revealing that the oxidative regioselectivity of LPMO9s (C1, C4, or both) correlates with distinct structural features of the copper coordination sphere. In strictly C1-oxidizing LPMO9s, access to the solvent-facing axial coordination position is restricted by a conserved tyrosine residue, whereas access to this same position seems unrestricted in C4-oxidizing LPMO9s. LPMO9s known to produce a mixture of C1- and C4-oxidized products show an intermediate situation.

Recombinant CBM-fusion technology - Applications overview

Carbohydrate-binding modules (CBMs) are small components of several enzymes, which present an independent fold and function, and specific carbohydrate-binding activity. Their major function is to bind the enzyme to the substrate enhancing its catalytic activity, especially in the case of insoluble substrates. The immense diversity of CBMs, together with their unique properties, has long raised their attention for many biotechnological applications. Recombinant DNA technology has been used for cloning and characterizing new CBMs. In addition, it has been employed to improve the purity and availability of many CBMs, but mainly, to construct bi-functional CBM-fused proteins for specific applications. This review presents a comprehensive summary of the uses of CBMs recombinantly produced from heterologous organisms, or by the original host, along with the latest advances. Emphasis is given particularly to the applications of recombinant CBM-fusions in: (a) modification of fibers, (b) production, purification and immobilization of recombinant proteins, (c) functionalization of biomaterials and (d) development of microarrays and probes.

A novel thermostable xylanase GH10 from Malbranchea pulchella expressed in Aspergillus nidulans with potential applications in biotechnology

BACKGROUND

The search for novel thermostable xylanases for industrial use has intensified in recent years, and thermophilic fungi are a promising source of useful enzymes. The present work reports the heterologous expression and biochemical characterization of a novel thermostable xylanase (GH10) from the thermophilic fungus Malbranchea pulchella, the influence of glycosylation on its stability, and a potential application in sugarcane bagasse hydrolysis.

RESULTS

Xylanase MpXyn10A was overexpressed in Aspergillus nidulans and was active against birchwood xylan, presenting an optimum activity at pH 5.8 and 80°C. MpXyn10A was 16% glycosylated and thermostable, preserving 85% activity after 24 hours at 65°C, and deglycosylation did not affect thermostability. Circular dichroism confirmed the high alpha-helical content consistent with the canonical GH10 family (β/α)8 barrel fold observed in molecular modeling. Primary structure analysis revealed the existence of eight cysteine residues which could be involved in four disulfide bonds, and this could explain the high thermostability of this enzyme even in the deglycosylated form. MpXyn10A showed promising results in biomass degradation, increasing the amount of reducing sugars in bagasse in natura and in three pretreated sugarcane bagasses.

CONCLUSIONS

MpXyn10A was successfully secreted in Aspergillus nidulans, and a potential use for sugarcane bagasse biomass degradation was demonstrated.

The significance of cellulolytic enzymes produced by Trichoderma in opportunistic lifestyle of this fungus

The degradation of native cellulose to glucose monomers is a complex process, which requires the synergistic action of the extracellular enzymes produced by cellulolytic microorganisms. Among fungi, the enzymatic systems that can degrade native cellulose have been extensively studied for species belonging to the genera of Trichoderma. The majority of the cellulolytic enzymes described so far have been examples of Trichoderma reesei, extremely specialized in the efficient degradation of plant cell wall cellulose. Other Trichoderma species, such as T. harzianum, T. koningii, T. longibrachiatum, and T. viride, known for their capacity to produce cellulolytic enzymes, have been isolated from various ecological niches, where they have proved successful in various heterotrophic interactions. As saprotrophs, these species are considered to make a contribution to the degradation of lignocellulosic plant material. Their cellulolytic potential is also used in interactions with plants, especially in plant root colonization. However, the role of cellulolytic enzymes in species forming endophytic associations with plants or in those existing in the substratum for mushroom cultivation remains unknown. The present review discusses the current state of knowledge about cellulolytic enzymes production by Trichoderma species and the encoding genes, as well as the involvement of these proteins in the lifestyle of Trichoderma.

The unique architecture and function of cellulose-interacting proteins in oomycetes revealed by genomic and structural analyses

BACKGROUND

Oomycetes are fungal-like microorganisms evolutionary distinct from true fungi, belonging to the Stramenopile lineage and comprising major plant pathogens. Both oomycetes and fungi express proteins able to interact with cellulose, a major component of plant and oomycete cell walls, through the presence of carbohydrate-binding module belonging to the family 1 (CBM1). Fungal CBM1-containing proteins were implicated in cellulose degradation whereas in oomycetes, the Cellulose Binding Elicitor Lectin (CBEL), a well-characterized CBM1-protein from Phytophthora parasitica, was implicated in cell wall integrity, adhesion to cellulosic substrates and induction of plant immunity.

RESULTS

To extend our knowledge on CBM1-containing proteins in oomycetes, we have conducted a comprehensive analysis on 60 fungi and 7 oomycetes genomes leading to the identification of 518 CBM1-containing proteins. In plant-interacting microorganisms, the larger number of CBM1-protein coding genes is expressed by necrotroph and hemibiotrophic pathogens, whereas a strong reduction of these genes is observed in symbionts and biotrophs. In fungi, more than 70% of CBM1-containing proteins correspond to enzymatic proteins in which CBM1 is associated with a catalytic unit involved in cellulose degradation. In oomycetes more than 90% of proteins are similar to CBEL in which CBM1 is associated with a non-catalytic PAN/Apple domain, known to interact with specific carbohydrates or proteins. Distinct Stramenopile genomes like diatoms and brown algae are devoid of CBM1 coding genes. A CBM1-PAN/Apple association 3D structural modeling was built allowing the identification of amino acid residues interacting with cellulose and suggesting the putative interaction of the PAN/Apple domain with another type of glucan. By Surface Plasmon Resonance experiments, we showed that CBEL binds to glycoproteins through galactose or N-acetyl-galactosamine motifs.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides insight into the evolution and biological roles of CBM1-containing proteins from oomycetes. We show that while CBM1s from fungi and oomycetes are similar, they team up with different protein domains, either in proteins implicated in the degradation of plant cell wall components in the case of fungi or in proteins involved in adhesion to polysaccharidic substrates in the case of oomycetes. This work highlighted the unique role and evolution of CBM1 proteins in oomycete among the Stramenopile lineage.

Exploring improved endoglucanase expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains

The endoglucanase I and II genes (egI or Cel7B and egII or Cel5A) of Trichoderma reesei QM6a were successfully cloned and expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae under the transcriptional control of the yeast ENO1 promoter and terminator sequences. Random mutagenesis of the egI-bearing plasmid resulted in a twofold increase in extracellular EGI activity. Both endoglucanase genes were co-expressed with the synthetic, codon-optimised cellobiohydrolase gene (s-cbhI) from T. reesei as well as the beta-glucosidase gene (bgl1) from Saccharomycopsis fibuligera in S. cerevisiae. Extracellular endoglucanase activity was lower when co-expressed with s-cbhI or bgl1. Recombinant strains were able to hydrolyse phosphoric acid swollen cellulose, generating mainly cellotriose, cellobiose and glucose. Cellobiose accumulated, suggesting the beta-glucosidase activity to be the rate-limiting factor. As a consequence, the recombinant strains were unable to produce enough glucose for growth on amorphous cellulose. The results of this study provide insight into further optimisation of recombinantly expressed cellulase combinations for saccharification and fermentation of cellulose to ethanol.

Importance of Trp59 and Trp60 in chitin-binding, hydrolytic, and antifungal activities of Streptomyces griseus chitinase C

The chitin-binding domain of Streptomyces griseus chitinase C (ChBD(ChiC)) belongs to CBM family 5. Only two exposed aromatic residues, W59 and W60, were observed in ChBD(ChiC), in contrast to three such residues on CBD(Cel5) in the same CBM family. To study importance of these residues in binding activity and other functions of ChBD(ChiC), site-directed mutagenesis was carried out. Single (W59A and W60A) and double (W59A/W60A) mutations abolished the binding activity of ChiC to colloidal chitin and decreased the hydrolytic activity toward not only colloidal chitin but also a soluble high Mr substrate, glycol chitin. Interaction of ChBD(ChiC) with oligosaccharide was eliminated by these mutations. The hydrolytic activity toward oligosaccharide was increased by deletion of ChBD but not affected by these mutations, indicating that ChBD interferes with oligosaccharide hydrolysis but not through its binding activity. The antifungal activity was drastically decreased by all mutations and significant difference was observed between single and double mutants. Taken together with the structural information, these results suggest that ChBD(ChiC) binds to chitin via a mechanism significantly different from CBD(Cel5), where two aromatic residues play major role, and contributes to various functions of ChiC. Sequence comparison indicated that ChBD(ChiC)-type CBMs are dominant in CBM family 5.

A mannanase, ManA, of the polycentric anaerobic fungus Orpinomyces sp. strain PC-2 has carbohydrate binding and docking modules

The anaerobic fungus Orpinomyces sp. strain PC-2 produces a broad spectrum of glycoside hydrolases, most of which are components of a high molecular mass cellulosomal complex. Here we report about a cDNA (manA) having 1924 bp isolated from the fungus and found to encode a polypeptide of 579 amino acid residues. Analysis of the deduced sequence revealed that it had a mannanase catalytic module, a family 1 carbohydrate-binding module, and a noncatalytic docking module. The catalytic module was homologous to aerobic fungal mannanases belonging to family 5 glycoside hydrolases, but unrelated to the previously isolated mannanases (family 26) of the anaerobic fungus Piromyces. No mannanase activity could be detected in Escherichia coli harboring a manA-containing plasmid. The manA was expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and ManA was secreted into the culture medium in multiple forms. The purified extracellular heterologous mannanase hydrolyzed several types of mannan but lacked activity against cellulose, chitin, or beta-glucan. The enzyme had high specific activity toward locust bean mannan and an extremely broad pH profile. It was stable for several hours at 50 degrees C, but was rapidly inactivated at 60 degrees C. The carbohydrate-binding module of the Man A produced separately in E. coli bound preferably to insoluble lignocellulosic substrates, suggesting that it might play an important role in the complex enzyme system of the fungus for lignocellulose degradation.

Expressed sequence tags from the oomycete fish pathogen Saprolegnia parasitica reveal putative virulence factors

Background

The oomycete Saprolegnia parasitica is one of the most economically important fish pathogens. There is a dramatic recrudescence of Saprolegnia infections in aquaculture since the use of the toxic organic dye malachite green was banned in 2002. Little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying pathogenicity in S. parasitica and other animal pathogenic oomycetes. In this study we used a genomics approach to gain a first insight into the transcriptome of S. parasitica.

Results

We generated 1510 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) from a mycelial cDNA library of S. parasitica. A total of 1279 consensus sequences corresponding to 525944 base pairs were assembled. About half of the unigenes showed similarities to known protein sequences or motifs. The S. parasitica sequences tended to be relatively divergent from Phytophthora sequences. Based on the sequence alignments of 18 conserved proteins, the average amino acid identity between S. parasitica and three Phytophthora species was 77% compared to 93% within Phytophthora. Several S. parasitica cDNAs, such as those with similarity to fungal type I cellulose binding domain proteins, PAN/Apple module proteins, glycosyl hydrolases, proteases, as well as serine and cysteine protease inhibitors, were predicted to encode secreted proteins that could function in virulence. Some of these cDNAs were more similar to fungal proteins than to other eukaryotic proteins confirming that oomycetes and fungi share some virulence components despite their evolutionary distance

Conclusion

We provide a first glimpse into the gene content of S. parasitica, a reemerging oomycete fish pathogen. These resources will greatly accelerate research on this important pathogen. The data is available online through the Oomycete Genomics Database [1].

Characterization of a cellulase containing a family 30 carbohydrate-binding module (CBM) derived from Clostridium thermocellum CelJ: importance of the CBM to cellulose hydrolysis

Clostridium thermocellum CelJ is a modular enzyme containing a family 30 carbohydrate-binding module (CBM) and a family 9 catalytic module at its N-terminal moiety. To investigate the functions of the CBM and the catalytic module, truncated derivatives of CelJ were constructed and characterized. Isothermal titration calorimetric studies showed that the association constants (K(a)) of the CBM polypeptide (CBM30) for the binding of cellopentaose and cellohexaose were 1.2 x 10(4) and 6.4 x 10(4) M(-1), respectively, and that the binding of CBM30 to these ligands is enthalpically driven. Qualitative analyses showed that CBM30 had strong affinity for cellulose and beta-1,3-1,4-mixed glucan such as barley beta-glucan and lichenan. Analyses of the hydrolytic action of the enzyme comprising the CBM and the catalytic module showed that the enzyme is a processive endoglucanse with strong activity towards carboxymethylcellulose, barley beta-glucan and lichenan. By contrast, the catalytic module polypeptide devoid of the CBM showed negligible activity toward these substrates. These observations suggest that the CBM is extremely important not only because it mediates the binding of the enzyme to the substrates but also because it participates in the catalytic function of the enzyme or contributes to maintaining the correct tertiary structure of the family 9 catalytic module for expressing enzyme activity.

Cellulose-binding domains

Many researchers have acknowledged the fact that there exists an immense potential for the application of the cellulose-binding domains (CBDs) in the field of biotechnology. This becomes apparent when the phrase "cellulose-binding domain" is used as the key word for a computerized patent search; more then 150 hits are retrieved. Cellulose is an ideal matrix for large-scale affinity purification procedures. This chemically inert matrix has excellent physical properties as well as low affinity for nonspecific protein binding. It is available in a diverse range of forms and sizes, is pharmaceutically safe, and relatively inexpensive. Present studies into the application of CBDs in industry have established that they can be applied in the modification of physical and chemical properties of composite materials and the development of modified materials with improved properties. In agro-biotechnology, CBDs can be used to modify polysaccharide materials both in vivo and in vitro. The CBDs exert nonhydrolytic fiber disruption on cellulose-containing materials. The potential applications of "CBD technology" range from modulating the architecture of individual cells to the modification of an entire organism. Expressing these genes under specific promoters and using appropriate trafficking signals, can be used to alter the nutritional value and texture of agricultural crops and their final products.

Enzymatic properties of the low molecular mass endoglucanases Cel12A (EG III) and Cel45A (EG V) of Trichoderma reesei

Trichoderma reesei produces five known endoglucanases. The most studied are Cel7B (EG I) and Cel5A (EG II) which are the most abundant of the endoglucanases. We have performed a characterisation of the enzymatic properties of the less well-studied endoglucanases Cel12A (EG III), Cel45A (EG V) and the catalytic core of Cel45A. For comparison, Cel5A and Cel7B were included in the study. Adsorption studies on microcrystalline cellulose (Avicel) and phosphoric acid swollen cellulose (PASC) showed that Cel5A, Cel7B, Cel45A and Cel45Acore adsorbed to these substrates. In contrast, Cel12A adsorbed weakly to both Avicel and PASC. The products formed on Avicel, PASC and carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) were analysed. Cel7B produced glucose and cellobiose from all substrates. Cel5A and Cel12A also produced cellotriose, in addition to glucose and cellobiose, on the substrates. Cel45A showed a clearly different product pattern by having cellotetraose as the main product, with practically no glucose and cellobiose formation. The kinetic constants were determined on cellotriose, cellotetraose and cellopentaose for the enzymes. Cel12A did not hydrolyse cellotriose. The k(Cat) values for Cel12A on cellotetraose and cellopentaose were significantly lower compared with Cel5A and Cel7B. Cel7B was the only endoglucanase which rapidly hydrolysed cellotriose. Cel45Acore did not show activity on any of the three studied cello-oligosaccharides. The four endoglucanases' capacity to hydrolyse beta-glucan and glucomannan were studied. Cel12A hydrolysed beta-glucan and glucomannan slightly less compared with Cel5A and Cel7B. Cel45A was able to hydrolyse glucomannan significantly more compared with beta-glucan. The capability of Cel45A to hydrolyse glucomannan was higher than that observed for Cel12A, Cel5A and Cel7B. The results indicate that Cel45A is a glucomannanase rather than a strict endoglucanase.

Modification of polysaccharides and plant cell wall by endo-1,4-beta-glucanase and cellulose-binding domains

Cellulose is one of the most abundant polymers in nature. Different living systems evolved simultaneously, using structurally similar proteins to synthesize and metabolize polysaccharides. In the growing plant, cell wall loosening, together with cellulose biosynthesis, enables turgor-driven cell expansion. It has been postulated that endo-1,4-beta-glucanases (EGases) play a central role in these complex activities. Similarly, microorganisms use a consortium of lytic enzymes to convert cellulose into soluble sugars. Most, if not all, cellulases have a modular structure with two or more separate independent functional domains. Binding to cellulose is mediated by a cellulose-binding domain (CBD), whereas the catalytic domain mediates hydrolysis. Today, EGases and CBDs are known to exist in a wide range of species and it is evident that both possess immense potential in modifying polysaccharide materials in-vivo and in-vitro. The hydrolytic function is utilized for polysaccharide degradation in microbial systems and cell wall biogenesis in plants. The CBDs exerts activity that can be utilized for effective degradation of crystalline cellulose, plant cell wall relaxation, expansion and cell wall biosynthesis. Applications range from modulating the architecture of individual cells to an entire organism. These genes, when expressed under specific promoters and appropriate trafficking signals can be used to alter the nutritional value and texture of agricultural crop and their final products. EGases and CBDs may also find applications in the modification of physical and chemical properties of composite materials to create new materials possessing improved properties.

Primary recovery of a genetically engineered Trichoderma reesei endoglucanase I (Cel 7B) fusion protein in cloud point extraction systems

Here we present data to demonstrate how partitioning of a hydrophilic enzyme can be directed to the hydrophobic detergent-enriched phase of an aqueous two-phase system by addition of short stretches of amino acid residues to the protein molecule. The target enzyme was the industrially important endoglucanase I, EGI (endo-1,4-beta-D-glucan-4-glucanohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.4, Cel7B) of Trichoderma reesei. We investigated the partitioning of three EGI variants containing various C-terminal peptide extensions including Trp-Pro motifs of different lengths and localizations. Additionally, a recently developed system composed of the thermoseparating copolymer HM-EOPO was utilized to study the effects of fusion tags. The addition of peptides containing tryptohan residues enhanced the partitioning of EGI to the HM-EOPO-rich phase. The system composed of a nonionic detergent (Agrimul NRE1205) resulted in the highest partition coefficient (K = 31) and yield (90%) with the construct EGI(core-P5)(WP)(4) containing (Trp-Pro)(4) after a short linker stretch. A recombinant strain of T. reesei Rut-C30 for large-scale production was constructed in which the fusion protein EGI(core-P5)(WP)(4) was expressed from the strong promoter of the cellulase gene cbh1. The fusion protein was successfully expressed and secreted from the fungus during shake-flask cultivations. Cultivation in a 28-L bioreactor however, revealed that the fusion protein is sensitive to proteases. Consequently, only low production levels were obtained in large-scale production trials.

Extraction of endoglucanase I (Ce17B) fusion proteins from Trichoderma reesei culture filtrate in a poly(ethylene glycol)-phosphate aqueous two-phase system

Endoglucanases (EGI) (endo-1,4-beta-D-glucan-4-glucanohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.4, Ce17B) of Trichoderma reesei are industrially important enzymes. Thus, there is a great need for development of a primary recovery method suitable for large-scale utilization. In this study we present a concept applicable for large-scale purification of an EGI fusion protein by one-step extraction in a poly(ethylene glycol) PEG-sodium/potassium phosphate aqueous two-phase system. EGI is a two-module enzyme composed of an N-terminal catalytic module and a C-terminal cellulose binding module (CBM) separated by a glycosylated linker region. Partitioning of six different EGI constructs, containing the C-terminal extensions (WP)2, (WP)4 or the amphiphilic protein hydrophobin I (HFB) of T. reesei instead of the CBM were studied to evaluate if any of the fusions could improve the partition coefficient sufficiently to be suitable for large-scale production. All constructs showed improved partitioning in comparison to full length EGI. The (WP)4 extensions resulted in 26- to 60-fold improvement of partition coefficient. Consequently, a relative minor change in amino acid sequence on the two-module protein EGI improved the partition coefficient significantly in the PEG 4000-sodium/potassium phosphate system. The addition of HFBI to EGI clearly enhanced the partition coefficient (K=1.2) in comparison to full-length EGI (K=0.035). Partitioning of the construct with (WP)4 fused to the catalytic module and a short sequence of the linker [EGI(core-P5)(WP)4] resulted in the highest partition coefficient (K=54) and a yield of 98% in the PEG phase. Gel electrophoresis showed that the construct with the (WP)4 tag attached after a penta-proline linker could be purified from the other bulk proteins by only a single-step separation in the PEG 4000-sodium/potassium phosphate system. This is a major improvement in comparison with the previously studied model (ethylene oxide-propylene oxide)-dextran system. Hence, this construct will be suitable for further optimization of the extraction of the enzyme in a PEG 4000-sodium/potassium phosphate system from culture filtrate.

Recognition of cello-oligosaccharides by a family 17 carbohydrate-binding module: an X-ray crystallographic, thermodynamic and mutagenic study

The crystal structure of the Clostridium cellulovorans carbohydrate-binding module (CBM) belonging to family 17 has been solved to 1.7 A resolution by multiple anomalous dispersion methods. CBM17 binds to non-crystalline cellulose and soluble beta-1,4-glucans, with a minimal binding requirement of cellotriose and optimal affinity for cellohexaose. The crystal structure of CBM17 complexed with cellotetraose solved at 2.0 A resolution revealed that binding occurs in a cleft on the surface of the molecule involving two tryptophan residues and several charged amino acids. Thermodynamic binding studies and alanine scanning mutagenesis in combination with the cellotetraose complex structure allowed the mapping of the CBM17 binding cleft. In contrast to the binding groove characteristic of family 4 CBMs, family 17 CBMs appear to have a very shallow binding cleft that may be more accessible to cellulose chains in non-crystalline cellulose than the deeper binding clefts of family 4 CBMs. The structural differences in these two modules may reflect non-overlapping binding niches on cellulose surfaces.

Homologous expression and characterization of Cel61A (EG IV) of Trichoderma reesei

There are currently four proteins in family 61 of the glycoside hydrolases, from Trichoderma reesei, Agaricus bisporus, Cryptococcus neoformans and Neurospora crassa. The enzymatic activity of these proteins has not been studied thoroughly. We report here the homologous expression and purification of T. reesei Cel61A [previously named endoglucanase (EG) IV]. The enzyme was expressed in high amounts with a histidine tag on the C-terminus and purified by metal affinity chromatography. This is the first time that a histidine tag has been used as a purification aid in the T. reesei expression system. The enzyme activity was studied on a series of carbohydrate polymers. The only activity exhibited by Cel61A was an endoglucanase activity observed on substrates containing beta-1,4 glycosidic bonds, e.g. carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC) and beta-glucan. The endoglucanase activity on CMC and beta-glucan was determined by viscosity analysis, by measuring the production of reducing ends and by following the degradation of the polymer on a size exclusion chromatography system. The formation of soluble sugars by Cel61A from microcrystalline cellulose (Avicel; Merck), phosphoric acid swollen cellulose (PASC), and CMC were analysed on a HPLC system. Cel61A produced small amounts of oligosaccharides from these substrates. Furthermore, Cel61A showed activity against cellotetraose and cellopentaose. The activity of Cel61A was several orders of magnitude lower compared to Cel7B (previously EG I) of T. reesei on all substrates. One significant difference between Cel61A and Cel7B was that cellotriose was a poor substrate for Cel61A but was readily hydrolysed by Cel7B. The enzyme activity for Cel61A was further studied on a large number of carbohydrate substrates but the enzyme showed no activity towards any of these substrates.

Binding specificity and thermodynamics of a family 9 carbohydrate-binding module from Thermotoga maritima xylanase 10A

The C-terminal family 9 carbohydrate-binding module of xylanase 10A from Thermotoga maritima (CBM9-2) binds to amorphous cellulose, crystalline cellulose, and the insoluble fraction of oat spelt xylan. The association constants (K(a)) for adsorption to insoluble polysaccharides are 1 x 10(5) to 3 x 10(5) M(-1). Of the soluble polysaccharides tested, CBM9-2 binds to barley beta-glucan, xyloglucan, and xylan. CBM9-2 binds specifically to the reducing ends of cellulose and soluble polysaccharides, a property that is currently unique to this CBM. CBM9-2 also binds glucose, xylose, galactose, arabinose, cellooligosaccharides, xylooligosaccharides, maltose, and lactose, with affinities ranging from 10(3) M(-1) for monosaccharides to 10(6) M(-1) for disaccharides and oligosaccharides. Cellooligosaccharides longer than two glucose units do not bind with improved affinity, indicating that cellobiose is sufficient to occupy the entire binding site. In general, the binding reaction is dominated by favorable changes in enthalpy, which are partially compensated by unfavorable entropy changes.

Crystal structures of the family 9 carbohydrate-binding module from Thermotoga maritima xylanase 10A in native and ligand-bound forms

The C-terminal module of the thermostable Thermotoga maritima xylanase 10A (CBM9-2) is a family 9 carbohydrate-binding module that binds to amorphous and crystalline cellulose and a range of soluble di- and monosaccharides as well as to cello and xylo oligomers of different degrees of polymerization [Boraston, A. B., Creagh, A. L., Alam, Md. M., Kormos, J. M., Tomme, P., Haynes, C. A., Warren, R. A. J., and Kilburn, D. G. (2001) Biochemistry 40, 6240-6247]. The crystal structure of CBM9-2 has been determined by the multiwavelength anomalous dispersion method to 1.9 A resolution. CBM9-2 assumes a beta-sandwich fold and contains three metal binding sites. The bound metal atoms, which are most likely calcium cations, are in an octahedral coordination. The crystal structures of CBM9-2 in complex with glucose and cellobiose were also determined in order to identify the sugar-binding site and provide insight into the structural basis for sugar binding by CBM9-2. The sugar-binding site is a solvent-exposed slot sufficient in depth, width, and length to accommodate a disaccharide. Two tryptophan residues are stacked together on the surface of the protein forming the sugar-binding site. From the complex structures with glucose and cellobiose, it was inferred that CBM9-2 binds exclusively to the reducing end of mono-, di-, and oligosaccharides with an intricate hydrogen-bonding network involving mainly charged residues, as well as stacking interactions by Trp175 and Trp71. The binding interactions are limited to disaccharides as was expected from calorimetric data. Comparison of the glucose and cellobiose complexes revealed surprising differences in binding of these two substrates by CBM9-2. Cellobiose was found to bind in a distinct orientation from glucose, while still maintaining optimal stacking and electrostatic interactions with the reducing end sugar.

Genetic engineering of the Trichoderma reesei endoglucanase I (Cel7B) for enhanced partitioning in aqueous two-phase systems containing thermoseparating ethylene oxide--propylene oxide copolymers

Endoglucanases (endo-1,4-beta-D-glucan-4-glucanohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.4) are industrially important enzymes. In this study endoglucanase I (EGI or Cel7B) of the filamentous fungi Trichoderma reesei has been genetically engineered to investigate the influence of tryptophan rich peptide extensions (tags) on partitioning in an aqueous two-phase model system. EGI is a two-domain enzyme and is composed of a N-terminal catalytic domain and a C-terminal cellulose binding domain, separated by a linker. The aim was to find an optimal tag and fusion position, which further could be utilised for large scale extractions. Peptide tags of different length and composition were attached at various localisations of EGI. The fusion proteins were expressed from T. reesei with the use of the gpdA promoter from Aspergillus nidulans. Variations in secreted levels between the engineered proteins were obtained. The partitioning of EGI in an aqueous two-phase system composed of a thermoseparating ethylene oxide-propylene oxide random copolymer (EO(50)PO(50)) and dextran, could be significantly improved by relatively minor genetic engineering. The (Trp-Pro)(4) tag added after a short stretch of the linker, containing five proline residues, gave in the highest partition coefficient of 12.8. The yield in the top phase was 94%. The specific activity was 83% of the specific activity of unmodified EGI on soluble substrate. The efficiency of a tag fused to a protein is shown by the tag efficiency factor (TEF). A hypothetical TEF of 1.0 would indicate full tag exposure and optimal contribution to the protein partitioning by the fused tag. The location of the fusion point after the sequence of five proline residues in the linker of EGI is the most beneficial in two-phase separation. The highest TEF (0.97) was obtained with the (Trp-Pro)(2) tag at this position, indicating full exposure and intactness of the tag. However, the peptide tag composed of (Trp-Pro)(4) improved the partition properties the most but had lower TEF in comparison to (Trp-Pro)(2).

Study of protein adsorption on indigo particles confirms the existence of enzyme--indigo interaction sites in cellulase molecules

Adsorption of several crude and purified cellulases (from Trichoderma reesei, Penicillium verruculosum and Chrysosporium lucknowense) on indigo particles and Avicel cellulose was studied. Much higher amounts of protein were bound to indigo than to cellulose under similar conditions. For different purified enzymes, the quantity of bound protein per mg of adsorbent (indigo or cellulose) varied in the range of 57-111 and 0-62 microg x mg(-1), respectively. However, in general, the enzyme adsorption on indigo was less specific than the adsorption on cellulose. Three endoglucanases, having the highest indigo-binding ability, demonstrated the best washing performance in the process of enzymatic denim treatment. These data confirmed our previous findings that certain cellulases, which have indigo-binding sites (clusters of closely located aromatic and other non-polar residues) on the surface of their molecules, may remove indigo from the denim fabric better than cellulases with lower content of hydrophobic residues exposed to solvent.

Genetically engineered peptide fusions for improved protein partitioning in aqueous two-phase systems. Effect of fusion localization on endoglucanase I of Trichoderma reesei

Genetic engineering has been used for fusion of the peptide tag, Trp-Pro-Trp-Pro, on a protein to study the effect on partitioning in aqueous two-phase systems. As target protein for the fusions the cellulase, endoglucanase I (endo-1,4-beta-Dglucan-4-glucanohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.4, EGI, Cel7B) of Trichoderma reesei was used. For the first time a glycosylated two-domain enzyme has been utilized for addition of peptide tags to change partitioning in aqueous two-phase systems. The aim was to find an optimal fusion localization for EGI. The peptide was (1) attached to the C-terminus end of the cellulose binding domain (CBD), (2) inserted in the glycosylated linker region, (3) added after a truncated form of EGI lacking the CBD and a small part of the linker. The different constructs were expressed in the filamentous fungus T. reesei under the gpdA promoter from Aspergillus nidulans. The expression levels were between 60 and 100 mg/l. The partitioning behavior of the fusion proteins was studied in an aqueous two-phase model system composed of the thermoseparating ethylene oxide (EO)-propylene oxide (PO) random copolymer EO-PO (50:50) (EO50PO50) and dextran. The Trp-Pro-Trp-Pro tag was found to direct the fusion protein to the top EO50PO50 phase. The partition coefficient of a fusion protein can be predicted with an empirical correlation based on independent contributions from partitioning of unmodified protein and peptide tag in this model system. The fusion position at the end of the CBD, with the spacer Pro-Gly, was shown to be optimal with respect to partitioning and tag efficiency factor (TEF) was 0.87, where a fully exposed tag would have a TEF of 1.0. Hence, this position can further be utilized for fusion with longer tags. For the other constructs the TEF was only 0.43 and 0.10, for the tag fused to the truncated EGI and in the linker region of the full length EGI, respectively.

Properties and mutation analysis of the CelK cellulose-binding domain from the Clostridium thermocellum cellulosome

The family IV cellulose-binding domain of Clostridium thermocellum CelK (CBD(CelK)) was expressed in Escherichia coli and purified. It binds to acid-swollen cellulose (ASC) and bacterial microcrystalline cellulose (BMCC) with capacities of 16.03 and 3.95 micromol/g of cellulose and relative affinities (K(r)) of 2.33 and 9.87 liters/g, respectively. The CBD(CelK) is the first representative of family IV CBDs to exhibit an affinity for BMCC. The CBD(CelK) also binds to the soluble polysaccharides lichenin, glucomannan, and barley beta-glucan, which are substrates for CelK. It does not bind to xylan, galactomannan, and carboxymethyl cellulose. The CBD(CelK) contains 1 mol of calcium per mol. The CBD(CelK) has three thiol groups and one disulfide, reduction of which results in total loss of cellulose-binding ability. To reveal amino acid residues important for biological function of the domain and to investigate the role of calcium in the CBD(CelK) four highly conserved aromatic residues (Trp(56), Trp(94), Tyr(111), and Tyr(136)) and Asp(192) were mutated into alanines, giving the mutants W56A, W94A, Y111A, Y136A, and D192A. In addition 14 N-terminal amino acids were deleted, giving the CBD-N(CelK). The CBD-N(CelK) and D192A retained binding parameters close to that of the intact CBD(CelK), W56A and W94A totally lost the ability to bind to cellulose, Y136A bound to both ASC and BMCC but with significantly reduced binding capacity and K(r) and Y111A bound weakly to ASC and did not bind to BMCC. Mutations of the aromatic residues in the CBD(CelK) led to structural changes revealed by studying solubility, circular-dichroism spectra, dimer formation, and aggregation. Calcium content was drastically decreased in D192A. The results suggest that Asp192 is in the calcium-binding site of the CBD(CelK) and that calcium does not affect binding to cellulose. The 14 amino acids from the N terminus of the CBD(CelK) are not important for binding. Tyr136, corresponding to Cellulomonas fimi CenC CBD(N1) Y85, located near the binding cleft, might be involved in the formation of the binding surface, while Y111, W56A, and W94A are essential for the binding process by keeping the CBD(CelK) correctly folded.

Loosening of plant cell walls by expansins

Plant cell walls are the starting materials for many commercial products, from lumber, paper and textiles to thickeners, films and explosives. The cell wall is secreted by each cell in the plant body, forming a thin fibreglass-like network with remarkable strength and flexibility. During growth, plant cells secrete a protein called expansin, which unlocks the network of wall polysaccharides, permitting turgor-driven cell enlargement. Germinating grass pollen also secretes an unusual expansin that loosens maternal cell walls to aid penetration of the stigma by the pollen tube. Expansin's action has puzzling implications for plant cell-wall structure. The recent explosion of gene sequences and expression data has given new hints of additional biological functions for expansins.

Expression and characterization of the chitin-binding domain of chitinase A1 from Bacillus circulans WL-12

Chitinase A1 from Bacillus circulans WL-12 comprises an N-terminal catalytic domain, two fibronectin type III-like domains, and a C-terminal chitin-binding domain (ChBD). In order to study the biochemical properties and structure of the ChBD, ChBD(ChiA1) was produced in Escherichia coli using a pET expression system and purified by chitin affinity column chromatography. Purified ChBD(ChiA1) specifically bound to various forms of insoluble chitin but not to other polysaccharides, including chitosan, cellulose, and starch. Interaction of soluble chitinous substrates with ChBD(ChiA1) was not detected by means of nuclear magnetic resonance and isothermal titration calorimetry. In addition, the presence of soluble substrates did not interfere with the binding of ChBD(ChiA1) to regenerated chitin. These observations suggest that ChBD(ChiA1) recognizes a structure which is present in insoluble or crystalline chitin but not in chito-oligosaccharides or in soluble derivatives of chitin. ChBD(ChiA1) exhibited binding activity over a wide range of pHs, and the binding activity was enhanced at pHs near its pI and by the presence of NaCl, suggesting that the binding of ChBD(ChiA1) is mediated mainly by hydrophobic interactions. Hydrolysis of beta-chitin microcrystals by intact chitinase A1 and by a deletion derivative lacking the ChBD suggested that the ChBD is not absolutely required for hydrolysis of beta-chitin microcrystals but greatly enhances the efficiency of degradation.

Solution structure of the chitin-binding domain of Bacillus circulans WL-12 chitinase A1

The three-dimensional structure of the chitin-binding domain (ChBD) of chitinase A1 (ChiA1) from a Gram-positive bacterium, Bacillus circulans WL-12, was determined by means of multidimensional heteronuclear NMR methods. ChiA1 is a glycosidase that hydrolyzes chitin and is composed of an N-terminal catalytic domain, two fibronectin type III-like domains, and C-terminal ChBD(ChiA1) (45 residues, Ala(655)-Gln(699)), which binds specifically to insoluble chitin. ChBD(ChiA1) has a compact and globular structure with the topology of a twisted beta-sandwich. This domain contains two antiparallel beta-sheets, one composed of three strands and the other of two strands. The core region formed by the hydrophobic and aromatic residues makes the overall structure rigid and compact. The overall topology of ChBD(ChiA1) is similar to that of the cellulose-binding domain (CBD) of Erwinia chrysanthemi endoglucanase Z (CBD(EGZ)). However, ChBD(ChiA1) lacks the three aromatic residues aligned linearly and exposed to the solvent, which probably interact with cellulose in CBDs. Therefore, the binding mechanism of a group of ChBDs including ChBD(ChiA1) may be different from that proposed for CBDs.

Functional analysis of the carbohydrate-binding domains of Erwinia chrysanthemi Cel5 (Endoglucanase Z) and an Escherichia coli putative chitinase

The Cel5 cellulase (formerly known as endoglucanase Z) from Erwinia chrysanthemi is a multidomain enzyme consisting of a catalytic domain, a linker region, and a cellulose binding domain (CBD). A three-dimensional structure of the CBD(Cel5) has previously been obtained by nuclear magnetic resonance. In order to define the role of individual residues in cellulose binding, site-directed mutagenesis was performed. The role of three aromatic residues (Trp18, Trp43, and Tyr44) in cellulose binding was demonstrated. The exposed potential hydrogen bond donors, residues Gln22 and Glu27, appeared not to play a role in cellulose binding, whereas residue Asp17 was found to be important for the stability of Cel5. A deletion mutant lacking the residues Asp17 to Pro23 bound only weakly to cellulose. The sequence of CBD(Cel5) exhibits homology to a series of five repeating domains of a putative large protein, referred to as Yheb, from Escherichia coli. One of the repeating domains (Yheb1), consisting of 67 amino acids, was cloned from the E. coli chromosome and purified by metal chelating chromatography. While CBD(Cel5) bound to both cellulose and chitin, Yheb1 bound well to chitin, but only very poorly to cellulose. The Yheb protein contains a region that exhibits sequence homology with the catalytic domain of a chitinase, which is consistent with the hypothesis that the Yheb protein is a chitinase.

A family IIb xylan-binding domain has a similar secondary structure to a homologous family IIa cellulose-binding domain but different ligand specificity

BACKGROUND

Many enzymes that digest polysaccharides contain separate polysaccharide-binding domains. Structures have been previously determined for a number of cellulose-binding domains (CBDs) from cellulases.

RESULTS

The family IIb xylan-binding domain 1 (XBD1) from Cellulomonas fimi xylanase D is shown to bind xylan but not cellulose. Its structure is similar to that of the homologous family IIa CBD from C. fimi Cex, consisting of two four-stranded beta sheets that form a twisted 'beta sandwich'. The xylan-binding site is a groove made from two tryptophan residues that stack against the faces of the sugar rings, plus several hydrogen-bonding polar residues.

CONCLUSIONS

The biggest difference between the family IIa and IIb domains is that in the former the solvent-exposed tryptophan sidechains are coplanar, whereas in the latter they are perpendicular, forming a twisted binding site. The binding sites are therefore complementary to the secondary structures of the ligands cellulose and xylan. XBD1 and CexCBD represent a striking example of two proteins that have high sequence similarity but a different function.

Design of a pH-dependent cellulose-binding domain

Protein-carbohydrate interactions typically rely on aromatic stacking interactions of tyrosine, phenylalanine and tryptophan side chains with the sugar rings whereas histidine residues are rarely involved. The small cellulose-binding domain of the Cel7A cellobiohydrolase (formerly CBHI) from Trichoderma reesei binds to crystalline cellulose primarily using a planar strip of three tyrosine side chains. Binding of the wild-type Cel7A CBD is practically insensitive to pH. Here we have investigated how histidine residues mediate the binding interaction and whether the protonation of a histidine side chain makes the binding sensitive to pH. Protein engineering of the Cel7A CBD was thus used to replace the tyrosine residues in two different positions with histidine residues. All of the mutants exhibited a clear pH-dependency of the binding, in clear contrast to the wild-type. Although the binding of the mutants at optimal pH was less than for the wild-type, in one case, Y31H, this binding almost reached the wild-type level.