The Azotobacter vinelandii mannuronan C-5-epimerase AlgE1 consists of two separate catalytic domains

Immobilization of alginate C-5 epimerases using Bacillus subtilis spore display

Alginates are the most abundant polysaccharides found in brown seaweed, composed of (1→4)-linked β-D-mannuronate (M) and its C-5 epimer, α-L-guluronate (G). The G-blocks of alginate possess viscosifying and gelling properties, making alginates valuable industrial polysaccharides. Alginate epimerases are enzymes epimerizing M to G, enhancing the usability and value of alginate. The three alginate epimerases AlgE1, AlgE4, and AlgE6 were immobilized using Bacillus subtilis spores displaying the epimerases fused to the spore crust protein CotY. To our knowledge, this is the first display of immobilized alginate-modifying enzymes. Activity assays of the four AlgE4-displaying spore strains showed that AlgE4 produced MG-blocks from polyM alginate. AlgE4 was tested linked by its N- and C-termini. Two linkers with different flexibility were tested, both containing a TEV protease cleavage site. Immobilizing alginate epimerases on B. subtilis spores resulted in a recyclable system that is easy to isolate and reuse, thus opening possibilities for industrial application. Recyclability was demonstrated by performing five consecutive reactions with the same batch of AlgE4 spores, with the spores retaining 24% of the starting activity after four rounds of reuse. TEV cleavage of spore-displayed enzyme was optimized using spores displaying a green fluorescent protein, and these optimized conditions were used to cleave AlgE4 off the spores. The cleavage of four AlgE4-displaying spores was successful, but cleavage efficiency varied depending on which terminus of AlgE4 was fused to CotY.

IMPORTANCE

Seaweed is a scalable resource that requires no fresh water, fertilizer, or arable land, making it an important biomass for bioeconomies. Alginates are a major component of brown seaweed and are widely used in food, feed, technical, and pharmacological industries. To tailor the functional properties of alginates, alginate epimerases have shown to be promising for postharvest valorization of alginate. This study investigates an efficient and easy method to produce immobilized alginate epimerases, thus opening new industrial use cases. In this study, the alginate epimerases are immobilized on the surface of Bacillus subtilis spores. The bacterium forms spores in reaction to nutrient starvation, which are highly resistant to external influences and can be repurposed as a stable protein display platform for numerous applications due to its ease of genomic manipulation and cultivation.

In-process epimerisation of alginates from Saccharina latissima, Alaria esculenta and Laminaria hyperborea

Alginates are valued in many industries, due to their versatile properties. These polysaccharides originate from brown algae (Phaeophyceae) and some bacteria of the Azotobacter and Pseudomonas genera, consisting of 1 → 4 linked β-d-mannuronic acid (M), and its C5-epimer α-l-guluronic acid (G). Several applications rely on a high G-content, which confers good gelling properties. Because of its high natural G-content (FG = 0.60-0.75), the alginate from Laminaria hyperborea (LH) has sustained a thriving industry in Norway. Alginates from other sources can be upgraded with mannuronan C-5 epimerases that convert M to G, and this has been demonstrated in many studies, but not applied in the seaweed industry. The present study demonstrates epimerisation directly in the process of alginate extraction from cultivated Saccharina latissima (SL) and Alaria esculenta (AE), and the lamina of LH. Unlike conventional epimerisation, which comprises multiple steps, this in-process protocol can decrease the time and costs necessary for alginate upgrading. In-process epimerisation with AlgE1 enzyme enhanced G-content and hydrogel strength in all examined species, with the greatest effect on SL (FG from 0.44 to 0.76, hydrogel Young's modulus from 22 to 34 kPa). As proof of concept, an upscaled in-process epimerisation of alginate from fresh SL was successfully demonstrated.

Mannuronan C-5 Epimerases: Review of Activity Assays, Enzyme Characteristics, Structure, and Mechanism

Mannuronan C-5 epimerases (ManC5-Es) are produced by brown algae and some bacteria, such as Azotobacter and some Pseudomonas species. It can convert the transformation of β-D-mannuronic acid (M) to α-L-guluronic acid (G) in alginate with different patterns of epimerization. Alginate with different compositions and monomer sequences possess different properties and functions, which have been utilized in industries for various purposes. Therefore, ManC5-Es are key enzymes that are involved in the modifications of alginate for fuel, chemical, and industrial applications. Focusing on ManC5-Es, this review introduces and summarizes the methods of ManC5-Es activity assay especially the most widely used nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy method, characterization of the ManC5-Es from different origins especially the research progress of its enzymatic properties and product block distributions, and the catalytic mechanism of ManC5-E based on the resolved enzyme structures. Additionally, some potential future research directions are also outlooked.

Strain Construction and Process Development for Efficient Recombinant Production of Mannuronan C-5 Epimerases in Hansenula polymorpha

Alginates are linear polysaccharides produced by brown algae and some bacteria and are composed of β-D-mannuronic acid (M) and α-L-guluronic acid (G). Alginate has numerous present and potential future applications within industrial, medical and pharmaceutical areas and G rich alginates are traditionally most valuable and frequently used due to their gelling and viscosifying properties. Mannuronan C-5 epimerases are enzymes converting M to G at the polymer level during the biosynthesis of alginate. The Azotobacter vinelandii epimerases AlgE1-AlgE7 share a common structure, containing one or two catalytic A-modules (A), and one to seven regulatory R-modules (R). Despite the structural similarity of the epimerases, they create different M-G patterns in the alginate; AlgE4 (AR) creates strictly alternating MG structures whereas AlgE1 (ARRRAR) and AlgE6 (ARRR) create predominantly G-blocks. These enzymes are therefore promising tools for producing in vitro tailor-made alginates. Efficient in vitro epimerization of alginates requires availability of recombinantly produced alginate epimerases, and for this purpose the methylotrophic yeast Hansenula polymorpha is an attractive host organism. The present study investigates whether H. polymorpha is a suitable expression system for future large-scale production of AlgE1, AlgE4, and AlgE6. H. polymorpha expression strains were constructed using synthetic genes with reduced repetitive sequences as well as optimized codon usage. High cell density cultivations revealed that the largest epimerases AlgE1 (147 kDa) and AlgE6 (90 kDa) are subject to proteolytic degradation by proteases secreted by the yeast cells. However, degradation could be controlled to a large extent either by co-expression of chaperones or by adjusting cultivation conditions. The smaller AlgE4 (58 kDa) was stable under all tested conditions. The results obtained thus point toward a future potential for using H. polymorpha in industrial production of mannuronan C-5 epimerases for in vitro tailoring of alginates.

Properties and potential applications of mannuronan C5-epimerase: A biotechnological tool for modifying alginate

Given the excellent characteristics of alginate, it is an industrially important polysaccharide. Mannuronan C5-epimerase (MC5E) is an alginate-modifying enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of β-D-mannuronate (M) to its C5 epimer α-L-guluronate (G) in alginate. Both the biological activities and physical properties of alginate are determined by M/G ratios and distribution patterns. Therefore, MC5E is regarded as a biotechnological tool for modifying and processing alginate. Various MC5Es derived from brown algae, Pseudomonas and Azotobacter have been isolated and characterized. With the rapid development of structural biology, the crystal structures and catalytic mechanisms of several MC5Es have been elucidated. It is necessary to comprehensively understand the research status of this alginate-modifying enzyme. In this review, the properties and potential applications of MC5Es isolated from different kinds of organisms are summarized and reviewed. Moreover, future research directions of MC5Es as well as strategies to enhance their properties are elucidated, highlighted, and prospected.

Functional characterization of three Azotobacter chroococcum alginate-modifying enzymes related to the Azotobacter vinelandii AlgE mannuronan C-5-epimerase family

Bacterial alginate initially consists of 1–4-linked β-D-mannuronic acid residues (M) which can be later epimerized to α-L-guluronic acid (G). The family of AlgE mannuronan C-5-epimerases from Azotobacter vinelandii has been extensively studied, and three genes putatively encoding AlgE-type epimerases have recently been identified in the genome of Azotobacter chroococcum. The three A. chroococcum genes, here designated AcalgE1, AcalgE2 and AcalgE3, were recombinantly expressed in Escherichia coli and the gene products were partially purified. The catalytic activities of the enzymes were stimulated by the addition of calcium ions in vitro. AcAlgE1 displayed epimerase activity and was able to introduce long G-blocks in the alginate substrate, preferentially by attacking M residues next to pre-existing G residues. AcAlgE2 and AcAlgE3 were found to display lyase activities with a substrate preference toward M-alginate. AcAlgE2 solely accepted M residues in the positions − 1 and + 2 relative to the cleavage site, while AcAlgE3 could accept either M or G residues in these two positions. Both AcAlgE2 and AcAlgE3 were bifunctional and could also catalyze epimerization of M to G. Together, we demonstrate that A. chroococcum encodes three different AlgE-like alginate-modifying enzymes and the biotechnological and biological impact of these findings are discussed.

Enzymatic modifications of exopolysaccharides enhance bacterial persistence

Biofilms are surface-attached communities of bacterial cells embedded in a self-produced matrix that are found ubiquitously in nature. The biofilm matrix is composed of various extracellular polymeric substances, which confer advantages to the encapsulated bacteria by protecting them from eradication. The matrix composition varies between species and is dependent on the environmental niche that the bacteria inhabit. Exopolysaccharides (EPS) play a variety of important roles in biofilm formation in numerous bacterial species. The ability of bacteria to thrive in a broad range of environmental settings is reflected in part by the structural diversity of the EPS produced both within individual bacterial strains as well as by different species. This variability is achieved through polymerization of distinct sugar moieties into homo- or hetero-polymers, as well as post-polymerization modification of the polysaccharide. Specific enzymes that are unique to the production of each polymer can transfer or remove non-carbohydrate moieties, or in other cases, epimerize the sugar units. These modifications alter the physicochemical properties of the polymer, which in turn can affect bacterial pathogenicity, virulence, and environmental adaptability. Herein, we review the diversity of modifications that the EPS alginate, the Pel polysaccharide, Vibrio polysaccharide, cepacian, glycosaminoglycans, and poly-N-acetyl-glucosamine undergo during biosynthesis. These are EPS produced by human pathogenic bacteria for which studies have begun to unravel the effect modifications have on their physicochemical and biological properties. The biological advantages these polymer modifications confer to the bacteria that produce them will be discussed. The expanding list of identified modifications will allow future efforts to focus on linking these modifications to specific biosynthetic genes and biofilm phenotypes.

Catalytic mechanism and mode of action of the periplasmic alginate epimerase AlgG

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen that forms chronic biofilm infections in the lungs of cystic fibrosis patients. A major component of the biofilm during these infections is the exopolysaccharide alginate, which is synthesized at the inner membrane as a homopolymer of 1-4-linked β-D-mannuronate. As the polymer passages through the periplasm, 22-44% of the mannuronate residues are converted to α-L-guluronate by the C5-epimerase AlgG to produce a polymer of alternating β-D-mannuronate and α-L-guluronate blocks and stretches of polymannuronate. To understand the molecular basis of alginate epimerization, the structure of Pseudomonas syringae AlgG has been determined at 2.1-Å resolution, and the protein was functionally characterized. The structure reveals that AlgG is a long right-handed parallel β-helix with an elaborate lid structure. Functional analysis of AlgG mutants suggests that His(319) acts as the catalytic base and that Arg(345) neutralizes the acidic group during the epimerase reaction. Water is the likely catalytic acid. Electrostatic surface potential and residue conservation analyses in conjunction with activity and substrate docking studies suggest that a conserved electropositive groove facilitates polymannuronate binding and contains at least nine substrate binding subsites. These subsites likely align the polymer in the correct register for catalysis to occur. The presence of multiple subsites, the electropositive groove, and the non-random distribution of guluronate in the alginate polymer suggest that AlgG is a processive enzyme. Moreover, comparison of AlgG and the extracellular alginate epimerase AlgE4 of Azotobacter vinelandii provides a structural rationale for the differences in their Ca(2+) dependence.

Alginates: Existing and Potential Biotechnological and Medical Applications

The present chapter on alginates in biotechnology and medicine comprises a description of traditional uses where alginates have been used as devices in e.g. wound dressings, as well as an in-depth introduction to possible future applications. The latter area is based on new scientific information on the immunostimulating properties of certain alginate sequences, as well as on the popularity gained by the alginate as immobilization matrix for cells. The latter opens up the use of alginate encapsulated cells for specific cell transplantation provided that the properties of the capsules are properly understood and controlled.

NMR assignments of 1H, 13C and 15N resonances of the C-terminal subunit from Azotobacter vinelandii mannuronan C5-epimerase 6 (AlgE6R3)

The 19.9 kDa C-terminal module (R3) from Azotobacter vinelandii mannronan C5-epimerase AlgE6 has been (13)C, (15)N isotopically labelled and recombinantly expressed. We report here the (1)H, (13)C, (15)N resonance assignment of AlgE6R3.

Effect of elongation of alternating sequences on swelling behavior and large deformation properties of natural alginate gels

The physical properties of alginate gels correlate with alginate composition. Blocks of guluronic acid (G) strongly contribute to gel formation. Recently, the role of alternating sequences in calcium-alginate gels has been elucidated. The present contribution aimed at extending the analysis already reported (Donati, I.; Holtan, S.; Mørch, Y. A.; Borgogna, M.; Dentini, M.; Skjåk-Braek, G. Biomacromolecules 2005, 6, 1031) and at explaining some apparent mismatch of experimental data. In the present work, calcium hydrogels from different alginate samples have been analyzed by means of uniaxial compression and puncture tests to evaluate their Young's modulus and work at break. The role of long MG blocks in mechanical deformations (small and large domains) as well as in swelling experiments was investigated with natural and MG-enriched (AlgE4 epimerized) alginate samples. Alginates with elongated alternating sequences displayed, upon treatment with saline solution, a notable increase in swelling behavior, which was not paralleled by increased mechanical properties (Young's modulus). This behavior was traced back to the disentanglement of MG/MG junctions, which increased the local charge density, reducing the osmotic contribution to hydrogel swelling. The analyses of the large deformation curves for natural and epimerized alginates revealed an increase in the energy to breakage in the latter case caused by the dissipation effect of "sliding" MG/MG junctions.

Mechanical properties of C-5 epimerized alginates

There is an increased need for alginate materials with both enhanced and controllable mechanical properties in the fields of food, pharmaceutical and specialty applications. In the present work, well-characterized algal polymers and mannuronan were enzymatically modified using C-5 epimerases converting mannuronic acid residues to guluronic acid in the polymer chain. Composition and sequential structure of controls and epimerized alginates were analyzed by (1)H NMR spectroscopy. Mechanical properties of Ca-alginate gels were further examined giving Young's modulus, syneresis, rupture strength, and elasticity of the gels. Both mechanical strength and elasticity of hydrogels could be improved and manipulated by epimerization. In particular, alternating sequences were found to play an important role for the final mechanical properties of alginate gels, and interestingly, a pure polyalternating sample resulted in gels with extremely high syneresis and rupture strength. In conclusion, enzymatic modification was shown to be a valuable tool in modifying the mechanical properties of alginates in a highly specific manner.

Characterization of the Hydrolysis Mechanism of Polyalternating Alginate in Weak Acid and Assignment of the Resulting MG-Oligosaccharides by NMR Spectroscopy and ESI−Mass Spectrometry

Alginate with long strictly alternating sequences of mannuronic (M) and guluronic (G) acid residues, F(G) = 0.47 and F(GG) = 0.0, was prepared by incubating mannuronan with the recombinant C-5 epimerase AlgE4. By partial acid hydrolysis of this PolyMG alginate at pH values from 2.8 to 4.5 at 95 degrees C, alpha-L-GulpA-(1-->4)-beta-D-ManpA (G-M) linkages were hydrolyzed far faster than beta-D-ManpA-(1-->4)-alpha-L-GulpA (M-G) linkages in the polymer chain. The ratio of the rates (kG-M/kM-G) decreased with increasing pH. The dominant mechanism for hydrolysis of (1-->4)-linked PolyMG in weak acid was thus proved to be an intramolecular catalysis of glycosidic cleavage of the linkages at C-4 by the undissociated carboxyl groups at C-5 in the respective units. The higher degradation rate of G-M than M-G glycosidic linkages in the polymer chain of MG-alginate at pH 3.5 and 95 degrees C was exploited to make oligomers mainly consisting of M on the nonreducing and G on the reducing end and, thus, a majority of oligomers with an even number of residues. The ratio of the rate constants kG-M/kM-G at this pH was 10.7. The MG-hydrolysate was separated by size exclusion chromatography and the MG oligosaccharide fractions analyzed by electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry together with 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. Chemical shifts of MG-oligomers (DP2-DP5) were elucidated by 2D 1H and 13C NMR.

Mode of action and subsite studies of the guluronan block-forming mannuronan C-5 epimerases AlgE1 and AlgE6

AlgE1, AlgE5 and AlgE6 are members of a family of mannuronan C-5 epimerases encoded by the bacterium Azotobacter vinelandii, and are active in the biosynthesis of alginate, where they catalyse the post-polymerization conversion of beta-D-mannuronic acid (M) residues into alpha-L-guluronic acid residues (G). All enzymes show preference for introducing G-residues neighbouring a pre-existing G. They also have the capacity to convert single M residues flanked by G, thus 'condensing' G-blocks to form almost homopolymeric guluronan. Analysis of the length and distribution of G-blocks based on specific enzyme degradation combined with size-exclusion chromatography, electrospray ionization MS, HPAEC-PAD (high-performance anion-exchange chromatography and pulsed amperometric detection), MALDI (matrix-assisted laser-desorption ionization)-MS and NMR revealed large differences in block length and distribution generated by AlgE1 and AlgE6, probably reflecting their different degree of processivity. When acting on polyMG as substrates, AlgE1 initially forms only long homopolymeric G-blocks >50, while AlgE6 gives shorter blocks with a broader block size distribution. Analyses of the AlgE1 and AlgE6 subsite specificities by the same methodology showed that a mannuronan octamer and heptamer respectively were the minimum substrate chain lengths needed to accommodate enzyme activities. The fourth M residue from the non-reducing end is epimerized first by both enzymes. When acting on MG-oligomers, AlgE1 needed a decamer while AlgE6 an octamer to accommodate activity. By performing FIA (flow injection analysis)-MS on the lyase digests of epimerized and standard MG-oligomers, the M residue in position 5 from the non-reducing end was preferentially attacked by both enzymes, creating an MGMGGG-sequence (underlined and boldface indicate the epimerized residue).

Tailor-made alginate bearing galactose moieties on mannuronic residues: selective modification achieved by a chemoenzymatic strategy

1-Amino-1-deoxygalactose (12%, mole) has been chemically introduced on a mannuronan sample via an N-glycosidic bond involving the uronic group of the mannuronic acid (M) residues. The unsubstituted M residues in the modified polymer were converted into guluronic moieties (G) by the use of two C-5 epimerases, resulting in an alginate-like molecule selectively modified on M residues. The molecular details of the newly formed polymer, in terms of both composition and molecular dimensions, were disclosed by use of (1)H NMR, intrinsic viscosity, and high-performance size-exclusion chromatography-multiple-angle laser light scattering (HPSEC-MALLS). Circular dichroism has revealed that the modified alginate-like polymer obtained after epimerization was able to bind calcium due to the introduction of alternating and homopolymeric G sequences. The gel-forming ability of this M-selectively modified material was tested and compared with an alginate sample containing 14% galactose introduced on G residues. Mechanical spectroscopy pointed out that the modified epimerized material was able to form stable gels and that the kinetics of the gel formation was similar to that of the unsubstituted sample. In contrast, the G-modified alginate samples showed a slower gel formation, eventually leading to gel characterized by a reduced storage modulus. The advantage of the selective modification on M residues was confirmed by measuring the Young's modulus of gel cylinders of the different samples. Furthermore, due to the high content in alternating sequences, a marked syneresis was disclosed for the modified-epimerized sample. Finally, calcium beads obtained from selectively M-modified alginate showed a higher stability than those from the G-modified alginate, as evaluated upon treatment with nongelling ions.

Construction and analyses of hybrid Azotobacter vinelandii mannuronan C-5 epimerases with new epimerization pattern characteristics

The secreted mannuronan C-5 epimerases from Azotobacter vinelandii form a family of seven homologous modular type enzymes, which appear to have evolved through duplications and point mutations in the individual modules. The catalytic A modules of these enzymes are responsible for generating the characteristic sequence distribution patterns of G residues in the industrially important polymer alginate by epimerizing M (beta-D-mannuronic acid) moieties to G (alpha-L-guluronic acid). Forty-six different hybrid enzymes were constructed by exchanging parts of the sequences encoding the A modules of AlgE2 (generates consecutive stretches of G residues) and AlgE4 (generates alternating structures). These hybrid enzymes introduce a variety of new monomer-sequence patterns into their substrates, and some regions important for the subsite specificity or processivity of the enzymes were identified. By using time-resolved NMR spectroscopy, it became clear that the rates for introducing alternating structures and consecutive stretches of G residues are different for each enzyme, and that it is the ratio between these rates that determines the overall epimerization pattern. These findings open up new possibilities in biotechnology and in studies of the many biological functions of alginates.

Single-molecular Pair Unbinding Studies of Mannuronan C-5 Epimerase AlgE4 and Its Polymer Substrate

Alginate biosynthesis involves C-5-mannuronan epimerases catalyzing the conversion of beta-D-mannuronic acid to alpha-L-guluronic acid at the polymer level. Mannuronan epimerases are modular enzymes where the various modules yield specific sequential patterns of the converted residues in their polymer products. Here, the interaction between the AlgE4 epimerase and mannuronan is determined by dynamic force spectroscopy. The specific unbinding between molecular pairs of mannuronan and AlgE4 as well as its two modules, A and R, respectively, was studied as a function of force loading rate. The mean protein-mannuronan unbinding forces were determined to be in the range 73-144 pN, depending on the protein, at a loading rate of 0.6 nN/s, and increased with increasing loading rate. The position of the activation barrier was determined to be 0.23 +/- 0.04 nm for the AlgE4 and 0.10 +/- 0.02 nm for its A-module. The lack of interaction observed between the R-module and mannuronan suggest that the A-module contains the binding site for the polymer substrate. The ratio between the epimerase-mannuronan dissociation rate and the catalytic rate for epimerization of single hexose residues suggests a processive mode of action of the AlgE4 epimerase yielding the observed sequence pattern in the uronan associated with the A-module of this enzyme.

C(6)-Oxidation Followed by C(5)-Epimerization of Guar Gum Studied by High Field NMR

Guar gum, a beta-D-(1-->4)-linked D-mannan with alpha-D-galactopyranosyl units attached as side groups, was treated with alpha-galactosidase, an enzyme that splits off the alpha-D-galactosyl units to obtain a galactomannan with a low galactose content. The galactose-depleted polysaccharide was then selectively oxidized in C(6) position and epimerized using mannuronan C(5)-epimerases, namely AlgE1, AlgE4, AlgE6, and their mixtures, obtaining new pseudo-alginates. In this paper, we report a full high field 1D and 2D NMR study of guar gum as such and of the galactose-depleted, oxidized and epimerized compounds, respectively. From the 1H NMR spectra, the degree of epimerization, the distribution of mannuronic acid (M) and guluronic acid (G) residues and the average G-block length, N(G>1), were obtained. By means of NMR diffusion experiments, it was also shown that no significant degradation of the polysaccharide occurs as a consequence of the epimerization reactions.

Characterization of mannuronan C-5-epimerase genes from the brown alga Laminaria digitata

Alginate is an industrially important polysaccharide obtained commercially by harvesting brown algae. The final step in alginate biosynthesis, the epimerization of beta-1,4-d-mannuronic acid to alpha-1,4-l-guluronic acid, a structural change that controls the physicochemical properties of the alginate, is catalyzed by the enzyme mannuronan C-5-epimerase. Six different cDNAs with homology to bacterial mannuronan C-5-epimerases were isolated from the brown alga Laminaria digitata (Phaeophyceae). Hydrophobic cluster analysis indicated that the proteins encoded by the L. digitata sequences have important structural similarities to the bacterial mannuronan C-5-epimerases, including conservation of the catalytic site. The expression of the C-5-epimerase genes was examined by northern-blot analysis and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction in L. digitata throughout a year. Expression was also monitored in protoplast cultures by northern and western blot, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, and activity measurements. From both the structural comparisons and the expression pattern, it appears that the cDNAs isolated from L. digitata encode functional mannuronan C-5-epimerases. The phylogenetic relationships of the bacterial and brown algal enzymes and the inferences on the origin of alginate biosynthetic machinery are discussed.

A high field NMR study of the products ensuing from konjak glucomannan C(6)-oxidation followed by enzymatic C(5)-epimerization

Konjak glucomannan (KGM) is a water-soluble linear copolymer of (1-->4) linked beta-D-mannopyranosyl and beta-D-glucopyranosyl units. It has been selectively C6-oxidized by a 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-oxy mediated reaction to obtain the corresponding uronan. Oxidized KGM has been treated with three different C-5 epimerases, AlgE4, AlgE6, and AlgE1, to obtain uronans with a various content of alpha-L-gulopyranuronate residues, namely, KGME4, KGME6, and KGME1. By use of 1D selective and 2D NMR techniques, a full assignment of the high field (600 MHz) NMR spectra of the purified native KGM and of the oxidized and epimerized derivatives has been obtained. Since in the anomeric region of the (1)H NMR spectrum of native KGM, diads sensitivity is present, the glucose-glucose, glucose-mannose, mannose-mannose, and mannose-glucose distribution has been obtained. In the (13)C spectrum of oxidized KGM, due to the presence of triad sensitivity on the C-4 resonance of glucuronic and mannuronic units, a better sequential investigation has been possible. As a result the average length of mannuronic blocks, N(M) is obtained. When AlgE4, AlgE6, and AlgE1 enzymes are used for the epimerization of oxidized KGM, the reaction products differ significantly both in the proportion and in the distribution of the mannuronic and guluronic residues. In epimerized KGM derivatives, a careful deconvolution of (1)H spectra allows the measurement of the degree of epimerization. In the case of KGME1 and KGME6, the average blocks length, N(G), of the guluronic blocks introduced in the polysaccharidic chain with the epimerization has also been calculated. Due to the shortness of mannuronic blocks in the oxidized KGM before the epimerization, N(G) in the epimerized compounds is also very low.

Enzymatic epimerization of bacterial mannuronan and of C-6 oxidized, galactose-depleted guar: a circular dichroism and 1H NMR study

Attention has been focused on two uronans, namely, mannuronan and galactose-depleted C-6 oxidized guar, the former of microbial origin and the latter of artificial nature, to provide original data on the extent of epimerization they can undergo in dilute aqueous solution using two C-5 mannuronic acid epimerizing enzymes, that is, AlgE-4 and AlgE-6, alone or in admixture. Original circular dichroism data coupled with 1H NMR spectra clearly point out that both uronans can be epimerized, depending on the enzyme or enzyme mixture used, to high levels yielding guluronic-rich alginate samples and guluronic-rich heteropolysaccharides, respectively. Mannuronan and its epimerization products can easily form clear, firm aqueous gels when an excess of HCl is added or when mixed with aqueous CaCl2, respectively. Depleted-guarox does not gel upon addition of excess HCl, while the heterouronan derived from it having a percent of epimerization nearly identical to that of epimerized mannuronan, that is, ca. 70%, can form gel in the presence of Ca(II) only at higher polymer and Ca(II) concentrations. With the latter, heterouronan alpha-D-galacturonic side groups exert hindrance to "junction zone" formation.

Epimerization of nonnatural uronans with mannuronan C-5-epimerases to obtain alginatelike polysaccharides

Different polysaccharides containing D-mannose residues have been C-6-oxidized by a selective TEMPO-mediated hypohalite oxidation to obtain the corresponding uronans. These have been treated with various recombinant mannuronan C-5-epimerases and the resulting products were analyzed by 1H NMR spectroscopy. Oxidized konjac mannan could be epimerized to obtain a uronan with a content of about 12% alpha-L-gulopyranuronate (G) residues. On prolonged epimerization, beta-elimination was observed. The oxidized galactomannan locust bean gum could only be scarcely epimerized, probably due to steric effects exerted by its 26% alpha-D-galacturopyranosyl side groups. Oxidized, galactose-depleted guar gum with a alpha-D-galactosyl content of 11% could be epimerized to a G content of about 15%. With oxidized cellulose as a substrate, mainly beta-elimination was observed. It thus seems that the mannuronan C-5-epimerases employed recognize glucuronate residues and abstract proton-5 but are unable to perform the second epimerization step and instead yield beta-eliminated products.

The catalytic activities of the bifunctional Azotobacter vinelandii mannuronan C-5-epimerase and alginate lyase AlgE7 probably originate from the same active site in the enzyme

The Azotobacter vinelandii genome encodes a family of seven secreted Ca(2+)-dependent epimerases (AlgE1--7) catalyzing the polymer level epimerization of beta-D-mannuronic acid (M) to alpha-L-guluronic acid (G) in the commercially important polysaccharide alginate. AlgE1--7 are composed of two types of protein modules, A and R, and the A-modules have previously been found to be sufficient for epimerization. AlgE7 is both an epimerase and an alginase, and here we show that the lyase activity is Ca(2+)-dependent and also responds similarly to the epimerases in the presence of other divalent cations. The AlgE7 lyase degraded M-rich alginates and a relatively G-rich alginate from the brown algae Macrocystis pyrifera most effectively, producing oligomers of 4 (mannuronan) to 7 units. The sequences cleaved were mainly G/MM and/or G/GM. Since G-moieties dominated at the reducing ends even when mannuronan was used as substrate, the AlgE7 epimerase probably stimulates the lyase pathway, indicating a complex interplay between the two activities. A truncated form of AlgE1 (AlgE1-1) was converted to a combined epimerase and lyase by replacing the 5'-798 base pairs in the algE1-1 gene with the corresponding A-module-encoding DNA sequence from algE7. Furthermore, substitution of an aspartic acid residue at position 152 with glycine in AlgE7A eliminated almost all of both the lyase and epimerase activities. Epimerization and lyase activity are believed to be mechanistically related, and the results reported here strongly support this hypothesis by suggesting that the same enzymatic site can catalyze both reactions.

Hexuronyl C5-epimerases in alginate and glycosaminoglycan biosynthesis

The sugar residues in most polysaccharides are incorporated as their corresponding monomers during polymerization. Here we summarize the three known exceptions to this rule, involving the biosynthesis of alginate, and the glycosaminoglycans, heparin/heparan sulfate and dermatan sulfate. Alginate is synthesized by brown seaweeds and certain bacteria, while glycosaminoglycans are produced by most animal species. In all cases one of the incorporated sugar monomers are being C5-epimerized at the polymer level, from D-mannuronic acid to L-guluronic acid in alginate, and from D-glucuronic acid to L-iduronic acid in glycosaminoglycans. Alginate epimerization modulates the mechanical properties of seaweed tissues, whereas in bacteria it seems to serve a wide range of purposes. The conformational flexibility of iduronic acid units in glycosaminoglycans promotes apposition to, and thus functional interactions with a variety of proteins at cell surfaces and in the extracellular matrix. In the bacterium Azotobacter vinelandii the alginates are being epimerized at the cell surface or in the extracellular environment by a family of evolutionary strongly related modular type and Ca(2+)-dependent epimerases (AlgE1-7). Each of these enzymes introduces a specific distribution pattern of guluronic acid residues along the polymer chains, explaining the wide structural variability observed in alginates isolated from nature. Glycosaminoglycans are synthesized in the Golgi system, through a series of reactions that include the C5-epimerization reaction along with extensive sulfation of the polymers. The single, Ca(2+)-independent, epimerase in heparin/heparan sulfate biosynthesis and the Ca(2+)-dependent dermatan sulfate epimerase(s) also generate variable epimerization patterns, depending on other polymer-modification reactions. The alginate and heparin epimerases appear unrelated at the amino acid sequence level, and have probably evolved through independent evolutionary pathways; however, hydrophobic cluster analysis indicates limited similarity. Seaweed alginates are widely used in industry, while heparin is well established in the clinic as an anticoagulant.

Influence of environmental conditions on the activity of the recombinant mannuronan C-5-epimerase AlgE2

The mannuronan C-5-epimerase AlgE2 is one of a family of Ca(2+)-dependent epimerases secreted by Azotobacter vinelandii. These enzymes catalyze the conversion of beta-D-mannuronic acid residues (M) to alpha-L-guluronic acid residues (G) in alginate. AlgE2 had a pH optimum between 6.5 and 7 and a temperature optimum around 55 degrees C. Addition of low molecular weight organic compounds, including buffers, amino acids and osmoprotective compounds, affected the activity of the enzyme. The charge, size and stereochemistry of the added compounds were important. The activity of AlgE2, dissolved in various buffers (same pH), decreased with increasing fraction of positively charged buffer ions. Mono- and divalent metal ions also influenced the activity. When Ca(2+) was omitted only Sr(2+), of the metal ions tested, supported some activity of AlgE2. At high concentration of Ca(2+) (3.3 mM) these ions had a negative effect on the activity, whereas at low Ca(2+) concentration (0.58 mM) the activity was enhanced by addition of Sr(2+), and to some degree also by addition of Mg(2+) and Mn(2+). During epimerization AlgE2 occasionally causes cleavage of the alginate chain. These chain breaks could not be prevented by changes in the conditions during the epimerization. The composition and sequential structure of epimerized alginate was not altered by changes in the epimerization conditions.

Mannuronan C-5 epimerases and cellular differentiation of Azotobacter vinelandii

Differentiation in Azotobacter vinelandii involves the encystment of the vegetative cell under adverse environmental circumstances and the germination of the resting cell into the vegetative state when growth conditions are satisfactory again. Morphologically, the encystment process involves the development of a protective coat around the resting cell. This coat partly consists of multiple layers of alginate, which is a copolymer of beta-D-mannuronic acid (M) and alpha-L-guluronic acid (G). Alginate contributes to coat rigidity by virtue of a high content of GG blocks. Such block structures are generated through a family of mannuronan C-5 epimerases that convert M to G after polymerization. Results from immunodetection and light microscopy, using stains that distinguish between different cyst components and types, indicate a correlation between cyst coat organization and the amount and appearance of mannuronan C-5 epimerases in the extracellular medium and attached to the cells. Specific roles of individual members of the epimerase family are indicated. Calcium and magnesium ions appear to have different roles in the structural organization of the cyst coat. Also reported is a new gene sharing strong sequence homology with parts of the epimerase-encoded R-modules. This gene is located within the epimerase gene cluster of Azotobacter vinelandii.

Mannuronan C-5-epimerases and their application for in vitro and in vivo design of new alginates useful in biotechnology

The industrially important polysaccharide alginate is a linear copolymer of beta-D-mannuronic acid (M) and alpha-L-guluronic acid (G). It is produced commercially by extraction from brown seaweeds, although some of the bacteria belonging to the genera Azotobacter and Pseudomonas also synthesize alginates. Alginates are synthesized as mannuronan, and varying amounts of the M residues in the polymer are then epimerized to G residues by mannuronan C-5-epimerases. The gel-forming, water-binding, and immunogenic properties of the polymer are dependent on the relative amount and sequence distribution of M and G residues. A family of seven calcium-dependent, secreted epimerases (AlgE1-7) from Azotobacter vinelandii have now been characterized, and in this paper the properties of all these enzymes are described. AlgE4 introduces alternating M and G residues into its substrate, while the remaining six enzymes introduce a mixture of continuous stretches of G residues and alternating sequences. Two of the enzymes, AlgE1 and AlgE3, are composed of two catalytically active domains, each introducing different G residue sequence patterns in alginate. These results indicate that the enzymes can be used for production of alginates with specialized properties.

The A modules of the Azotobacter vinelandii mannuronan-C-5-epimerase AlgE1 are sufficient for both epimerization and binding of Ca2+

The industrially important polysaccharide alginate is composed of the two sugar monomers beta-D-mannuronic acid (M) and its epimer alpha-L-guluronic acid (G). In the bacterium Azotobacter vinelandii, the G residues originate from a polymer-level reaction catalyzed by one periplasmic and at least five secreted mannuronan C-5-epimerases. The secreted enzymes are composed of repeats of two protein modules designated A (385 amino acids) and R (153 amino acids). The modular structure of one of the epimerases, AlgE1, is A1R1R2R3A2R4. This enzyme has two catalytic sites for epimerization, each site introducing a different G distribution pattern, and in this article we report the DNA-level construction of a variety of truncated forms of the enzyme. Analyses of the properties of the corresponding proteins showed that an A module alone is sufficient for epimerization and that A1 catalyzed the formation of contiguous stretches of G residues in the polymer, while A2 introduces single G residues. These differences are predicted to strongly affect the physical and immunological properties of the reaction product. The epimerization reaction is Ca2+ dependent, and direct binding studies showed that both the A and R modules bind this cation. The R modules appeared to reduce the Ca2+ concentration needed for full activity and also stimulated the reaction rate when positioned both N and C terminally.