Truncated derivatives of a multidomain thermophilic glycosyl hydrolase family 10 xylanase from Thermotoga maritima reveal structure related activity profiles and substrate hydrolysis patterns.

Efficient heteroxylan degradation in the context of economically feasible lignocellulosic biomass biorefining requires xylanolytic enzymes with optimal thermostability and specificity. Therefore, the structure activity relationship of a modular thermophilic glycoside hydrolase family 10 xylanase (xylanase A from Thermotoga maritima MSB8, rXTMA) was investigated through construction of six truncated derivatives, lacking at least one of the 2 N- and/or 2 C-terminal modules. The temperatures for optimal activity and stability of the xylanases were strongly influenced by the presence of the different modules and ranged from 60 to 80 degrees C and 50 to 80 degrees C, respectively. In contrast, the pH for optimal activity was only slightly affected (pH 6.0 to 7.0). The tested xylanases retained over 80% activity after 2h pre-incubation at 50 degrees C between pH 5.0 and 11.0. Most unexpectedly, changes in the modular structure led to a 26-fold wide range of specific activities of the enzymes towards xylohexaose, while the activity towards insoluble polymeric heteroxylan was comparable for all but one xylanase. rXTMADeltaC, lacking the C-terminal modules, had a 60% higher specific activity towards the latter substrate than the wild type enzyme. These results show that key properties of XTMA can be tuned to allow for optimal performance of the enzyme in biotechnological processes such as in the bioconversion of lignocellulosic biomass.

Structural analysis of a glycoside hydrolase family 43 arabinoxylan arabinofuranohydrolase in complex with xylotetraose reveals a different binding mechanism compared with other members of the same family.

AXHs (arabinoxylan arabinofuranohydrolases) are alpha-L-arabinofuranosidases that specifically hydrolyse the glycosidic bond between arabinofuranosyl substituents and xylopyranosyl backbone residues of arabinoxylan. Bacillus subtilis was recently shown to produce an AXH that cleaves arabinose units from O-2- or O-3-mono-substituted xylose residues: BsAXH-m2,3 (B. subtilis AXH-m2,3). Crystallographic analysis reveals a two-domain structure for this enzyme: a catalytic domain displaying a five-bladed beta-propeller fold characteristic of GH (glycoside hydrolase) family 43 and a CBM (carbohydrate-binding module) with a beta-sandwich fold belonging to CBM family 6. Binding of substrate to BsAXH-m2,3 is largely based on hydrophobic stacking interactions, which probably allow the positional flexibility needed to hydrolyse both arabinose substituents at the O-2 or O-3 position of the xylose unit. Superposition of the BsAXH-m2,3 structure with known structures of the GH family 43 exo-acting enzymes, beta-xylosidase and alpha-L-arabinanase, each in complex with their substrate, reveals a different orientation of the sugar backbone.

His22 of TLXI plays a critical role in the inhibition of glycoside hydrolase family 11 xylanases.

Recently, a novel wheat thaumatin-like protein, TLXI, which inhibits microbial glycoside hydrolase family (GH) 11 xylanases has been identified. It is the first xylanase inhibitor that exerts its inhibition in a non-competitive way. In the present study we gained insight into the interaction between TLXI and xylanases via combined molecular modeling and mutagenic approaches. More specifically, site-specific mutation of His22, situated on a loop which distinguishes TLXI from other, non-inhibiting, thaumatin-like proteins, and subsequent expression of the mutant in Pichia pastoris resulted in a protein lacking inhibition capacity. The mutant protein was unable to form a complex with GH11 xylanases. Based on these findings, the interaction of TLXI with GH11 xylanases is discussed.

Crystallographic analysis shows substrate binding at the -3 to +1 active-site subsites and at the surface of glycoside hydrolase family 11 endo-1,4-beta-xylanases.

GH 11 (glycoside hydrolase family 11) xylanases are predominant enzymes in the hydrolysis of heteroxylan, an abundant structural polysaccharide in the plant cell wall. To gain more insight into the protein-ligand interactions of the glycone as well as the aglycone subsites of these enzymes, catalytically incompetent mutants of the Bacillus subtilis and Aspergillus niger xylanases were crystallized, soaked with xylo-oligosaccharides and subjected to X-ray analysis. For both xylanases, there was clear density for xylose residues in the -1 and -2 subsites. In addition, for the B. subtilis xylanase, there was also density for xylose residues in the -3 and +1 subsite showing the spanning of the -1/+1 subsites. These results, together with the observation that some residues in the aglycone subsites clearly adopt a different conformation upon substrate binding, allowed us to identify the residues important for substrate binding in the aglycone subsites. In addition to substrate binding in the active site of the enzymes, the existence of an unproductive second ligand-binding site located on the surface of both the B. subtilis and A. niger xylanases was observed. This extra binding site may have a function similar to the separate carbohydrate-binding modules of other glycoside hydrolase families.

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of an arabinoxylan arabinofuranohydrolase from Bacillus subtilis.

Arabinoxylan arabinofuranohydrolases (AXH) are alpha-L-arabinofuranosidases (EC 3.2.1.55) that specifically hydrolyse the glycosidic bond between arabinofuranosyl substituents and xylopyranosyl residues from arabinoxylan, hence their name. In this study, the crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of the AXH from Bacillus subtilis, a glycoside hydrolase belonging to family 43, is described. Purified recombinant AXH crystallized in the orthorhombic space group P2(1)2(1)2(1), with unit-cell parameters a = 68.7, b = 73.7, c = 106.5 A. X-ray diffraction data were collected to a resolution of 1.55 A.

Recombinant expression and characterization of a reducing-end xylose-releasing exo-oligoxylanase from Bifidobacterium adolescentis.

The family 8 glycoside hydrolase (RexA) from Bifidobacterium adolescentis was expressed in Escherichia coli. The recombinant enzyme was characterized as a reducing-end xylose-releasing exo-oligoxylanase. Apart from giving insights into this new class of enzymes, knowledge of the RexA enzyme helps to postulate a mechanism for the B. adolescentis breakdown of prebiotic xylooligosaccharides.

Mutational analysis of endoxylanases XylA and XylB from the phytopathogen Fusarium graminearum reveals comprehensive insights into their inhibitor insensitivity.

Endo-beta-1,4-xylanases (EC 3.2.1.8; endoxylanases), key enzymes in the degradation of xylan, are considered to play an important role in phytopathogenesis, as they occupy a prominent position in the arsenal of hydrolytic enzymes secreted by phytopathogens to breach the cell wall and invade the plant tissue. Plant endoxylanase inhibitors are increasingly being pinpointed as part of a counterattack mechanism. To understand the surprising XIP-type endoxylanase inhibitor insensitivity of endoxylanases XylA and XylB from the phytopathogen Fusarium graminearum, an extensive mutational study of these enzymes was performed. Using combinatorial and site-directed mutagenesis, the XIP insensitivity of XylA as well as XylB was proven to be solely due to amino acid sequence adaptations in the "thumb" structural region. While XylB residues Cys141, Asp148, and Cys149 were shown to prevent XIP interaction, the XIP insensitivity of XylA could be ascribed to the occurrence of only one aberrant residue, i.e., Val151. This study, in addition to providing a thorough explanation for the XIP insensitivity of both F. graminearum endoxylanases at the molecular level, generated XylA and XylB mutants with altered inhibition specificities and pH optima. As this is the first experimental elucidation of the molecular determinants dictating the specificity of the interaction between endoxylanases of phytopathogenic origin and a plant inhibitor, this work sheds more light on the ongoing evolutionary arms race between plants and phytopathogenic fungi involving recognition of endoxylanases.

Targeted molecular engineering of a family 11 endoxylanase to decrease its sensitivity towards Triticum aestivum endoxylanase inhibitor types.

The Bacillus subtilis endoxylanase XynA (BSXY) is frequently used to improve the functionality of arabinoxylan-containing material in cereal based industries. The presence of endogenous Triticum aestivum xylanase inhibitors (TAXI-I and TAXI-II) in wheat is a real concern as they have a direct negative impact on the efficiency of this enzyme. Here, we used the recently determined structure of the complex between TAXI-I and an endoxylanase of Aspergillus niger to develop inhibitor-insensitive BSXY variants by site-directed mutagenesis of strategically chosen amino acids. We either induced steric hindrance to reject the inhibitors or interrupted key interactions with the inhibitors in the endoxylanase substrate-binding groove. The first strategy was successfully applied to position G12 where G12W combined inhibition insensitivity with unharmed catalytic performance. Variants from the second strategy showed altered inhibitor sensitivities concomitant with changes in enzyme activities and allowed to gain insight in the binding-mode of both TAXI-I and TAXI-II with BSXY.

Recombinant expression and characterization of XynD from Bacillus subtilis subsp. subtilis ATCC 6051: a GH 43 arabinoxylan arabinofuranohydrolase.

The complete genome sequence of Bacillus subtilis reveals that sequences encoding several hemicellulases are co-localised with a gene (xynD) encoding a putative family 43 glycoside hydrolase that has not yet been characterised. In this work, xynD has been isolated from genomic DNA of B. subtilis subsp. subtilis ATCC 6051 and cloned for cytoplasmatic expression in Escherichia coli. Recombinant XynD (rXynD) was purified using ion-exchange chromatography and gel permeation chromatography. The enzyme had a molecular mass of approximately 52 kDa, a pI above 9.0 and releases alpha-L-arabinose from arabinoxylo-oligosaccharides as well as arabinoxylan polymers with varying degree of substitution. Using para-nitrophenyl-alpha-L-arabinofuranoside as substrate, maximum activity was observed at pH 5.6 and 45 degrees C. The enzyme retained its activity over a large pH range, while activity was lost after pre-incubation above 50 degrees C. Gas-liquid chromatography and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry analysis indicated that rXynD specifically releases arabinofuranosyl groups from mono-substituted C-(O)-2 and C-(O)-3 xylopyranosyl residues on the xylan backbone. As rXynD did not display endoxylanase, xylosidase or arabinanase activity and was inactive on arabinan, we conclude that this enzyme is best described as an arabinoxylan arabinofuranohydrolase.

Engineering molecular recognition of endoxylanase enzymes and their inhibitors through phage display.

Specific binding of interacting proteins generally depends on a limited set of amino acid residues located at the contact interface. We have applied a phage-display-based screening method to simultaneously evaluate the role of multiple residues of endo-beta-1,4-xylanase enzymes in conferring binding specificity towards two different endoxylanase inhibitors. Seven residues of the two beta-strand 'thumb' region of Trichoderma longibrachiatum endo-beta-1,4-xylanase XynII were targeted for randomization. The generated combinatorial library representing 62,208 site-directed variants was displayed on the surface of filamentous phage and selected against xylanase inhibitor protein (XIP) and Triticum aestivum xylanase inhibitor (TAXI). DNA sequence analysis of phagemid panning isolates provided information on the occurrence of particular amino acids at distinct positions. In particular, residues at positions 124 (Asn) and 131 (Thr) were found to be critical for specific inhibitor binding. These residue predictions derived from the combinatorial exploration of the thumb region and accompanying sequence analyses were experimentally confirmed by testing the inhibitor sensitivity of a limited set of recombinantly expressed XynII mutants. In addition, we successfully altered the inhibition susceptibility of the bacterial Bacillus subtilis endoxylanase XynA from XIP-insensitive to XIP-sensitive.

Unprocessed barley aleurone endo-beta-1,4-xylanase X-I is an active enzyme.

Endo-beta-1,4-xylanase X-I is a major hydrolase produced by the aleurone tissue of germinating barley grain. It was previously reported that this cytosolic enzyme is synthesized as an inactive precursor which is proteolytically processed to active forms upon its programmed cell death dependent release. We here demonstrate, however, that the precursor form of X-I is an active enzyme. Purified recombinant precursor X-I was characterised with respect to its molecular weight, iso-electric point and temperature and pH activity and stability. Analysis of the hydrolysis products showed that it is an endo-acting enzyme which has the striking ability to release xylose from both polymeric xylan as well as from small xylo-oligosaccharides. The implications of these findings in relation to the putative role of the N-terminal propeptide as a carbohydrate binding module and the possible consequences for the way X-I fulfils its role in the germination process, are discussed.

TLXI, a novel type of xylanase inhibitor from wheat (Triticum aestivum) belonging to the thaumatin family.

Wheat (Triticum aestivum) contains a previously unknown type of xylanase (EC 3.2.1.8) inhibitor, which is described in the present paper for the first time. Based on its >60% similarity to TLPs (thaumatin-like proteins) and the fact that it contains the Prosite PS00316 thaumatin family signature, it is referred to as TLXI (thaumatin-like xylanase inhibitor). TLXI is a basic (pI> or =9.3 in isoelectric focusing) protein with a molecular mass of approx. 18-kDa (determined by SDS/PAGE) and it occurs in wheat with varying extents of glycosylation. The TLXI gene sequence encodes a 26-amino-acid signal sequence followed by a 151-amino-acid mature protein with a calculated molecular mass of 15.6-kDa and pI of 8.38. The mature TLXI protein was expressed successfully in Pichia pastoris, resulting in a 21-kDa (determined by SDS/PAGE) recombinant protein (rTLXI). Polyclonal antibodies raised against TLXI purified from wheat react with epitopes of rTLXI as well as with those of thaumatin, demonstrating high structural similarity between these three proteins. TLXI has a unique inhibition specificity. It is a non-competitive inhibitor of a number of glycoside hydrolase family 11 xylanases, but it is inactive towards glycoside hydrolase family 10 xylanases. Progress curves show that TLXI is a slow tight-binding inhibitor, with a K(i) of approx. 60-nM. Except for zeamatin, an alpha-amylase/trypsin inhibitor from maize (Zea mays), no other enzyme inhibitor is currently known among the TLPs. TLXI thus represents a novel type of inhibitor within this group of proteins.

Microbial endoxylanases: effective weapons to breach the plant cell-wall barrier or, rather, triggers of plant defense systems?

Endo-beta-1,4-xylanases (EC 3.2.1.8) are key enzymes in the degradation of xylan, the predominant hemicellulose in the cell walls of plants and the second most abundant polysaccharide on earth. A number of endoxylanases are produced by microbial phytopathogens responsible for severe crop losses. These enzymes are considered to play an important role in phytopathogenesis, as they provide essential means to the attacking organism to break through the plant cell wall. Plants have evolved numerous defense mechanisms to protect themselves against invading pathogens, amongst which are proteinaceous inhibitors of cell wall-degrading enzymes. These defense mechanisms are triggered when a pathogen-derived elicitor is recognized by the plant. In this review, the diverse aspects of endoxylanases in promoting virulence and in eliciting plant defense systems are highlighted. Furthermore, the role of the relatively recently discovered cereal endoxylanase inhibitor families TAXI (Triticum aestivum xylanase inhibitor) and XIP (xylanase inhibitor protein) in plant defense is discussed.

Molecular identification of wheat endoxylanase inhibitor TAXI-II and the determinants of its inhibition specificity.

Wheat grains contain Triticum aestivum xylanase inhibitor (TAXI) proteins which inhibit microbial xylanases, some of which are used in cereal based food industries. These inhibitors may play a role in plant defence. Among the TAXI isoforms described so far, TAXI-II displays a deviating inhibition specificity pattern. Here, we report on the molecular identity of TAXI-II and the basis of its inhibition specificity. Three candidate TAXI-II encoding sequences were isolated and recombinantly expressed in Pichia pastoris. To identify TAXI-II, the resulting proteins were tested against glycoside hydrolase family (GHF) 11 xylanases of Aspergillus niger (ANX) and Bacillus subtilis (BSX). One of these proteins (rTAXI-IB) inhibited both enzymes, like natural TAXI-I. The other candidates (rTAXI-IIA and rTAXI-IIB) showed an inhibition pattern typical for natural TAXI-II, only clearly inhibiting BSX. Comparative analysis of these highly similar sequences with distinct inhibition activity patterns, combined with information on the structural basis for ANX inhibition by TAXI-I [S. Sansen, C.J. De Ranter, K. Gebruers, K. Brijs, C.M. Courtin, J.A. Delcour, A. Rabijns, Structural basis for inhibition of Aspergillus niger xylanase by Triticum aestivum xylanase inhibitor-I, J. Biol. Chem. 279 (2004) 36022-36028], indicated a crucial role for Pro294 of TAXI-IIA and Gln376 of TAXI-IIB in determining the reduced inhibition activity towards ANX. Consequently, single point mutants rTAXI-IIA[P294L] and rTAXI-IIB[Q376H], both displaying the Leu/His combination corresponding to TAXI-I, were able to inhibit ANX. These results show that TAXI-II inhibition specificity bears on the identity of two key residues at positions 294 and 376, which are involved in the interaction at the -2 glycon subsite and the active site of GHF 11, respectively.

Cloning and characterization of two endoxylanases from the cereal phytopathogen Fusarium graminearum and their inhibition profile against endoxylanase inhibitors from wheat.

Two genes encoding family 11 endo-beta-1,4-xylanases (XylA, XylB) from Fusarium graminearum were cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The amount of active endoxylanase in the cytoplasmic soluble fraction was considerably improved by varying different expression parameters, including host strain and temperature during induction. Both recombinant endoxylanases showed a temperature optimum around 35 degrees C and neutral pH optima (around pH 7 and 8 for XylB and XylA, respectively). For the first time this allowed one to test endoxylanases of a phytopathogenic organism for inhibition by proteinaceous endoxylanase inhibitors TAXI and XIP. Whereas XylA and XylB were inhibited by TAXI-I, no inhibition activity could be detected upon incubation with XIP-I. The insensitivity of both F. graminearum endoxylanases towards XIP is surprising, since the latter is typically active against endoxylanases produced by (aerobic) fungi. As F. graminearum is an important phytopathogen, these findings have implications for the role of endoxylanase inhibitors in plant defence.

High-level expression, purification, and characterization of recombinant wheat xylanase inhibitor TAXI-I secreted by the yeast Pichia pastoris.

Triticum aestivum xylanase inhibitor I (TAXI-I) is a wheat protein that inhibits microbial xylanases belonging to glycoside hydrolase family 11. In the present study, recombinant TAXI-I (rTAXI-I) was successfully produced by the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris at high expression levels (approximately 75 mg/L). The rTAXI-I protein was purified from the P. pastoris culture medium using cation exchange and gel filtration chromatographic steps. rTAXI-I has an iso-electric point of at least 9.3 and a mass spectrometry molecular mass of 42,013 Da indicative of one N-linked glycosylation. The recombinant protein fold was confirmed by circular dichroism spectroscopy. Xylanase inhibition by rTAXI-I was optimal at 20-30 degrees C and at pH 5.0. rTAXI-I still showed xylanase inhibition activity at 30 degrees C after a 40 min pre-incubation step at temperatures between 4 and 70 degrees C and after 2 h pre-incubation at room temperature at a pH ranging from 3.0 to 12.0, respectively. All tested glycoside hydrolase family 11 xylanases were inhibited by rTAXI-I whereas those belonging to family 10 were not. Specific inhibition activities against family 11 Aspergillus niger and Bacillus subtilis xylanases were 3570 and 2940IU/mg protein, respectively. The obtained biochemical characteristics of rTAXI-I produced by P. pastoris (no proteolytical cleft) were similar to those of natural TAXI-I (mixture of proteolytically processed and non-processed forms) and non-glycosylated rTAXI-I expressed in Escherichia coli. The present results show that xylanase inhibition activity of TAXI-I is only affected to a limited degree by its glycosylation or proteolytic processing.

Properties of TAXI-type endoxylanase inhibitors.

Two types of proteinaceous endoxylanase inhibitors occur in different cereals, i.e. the TAXI [Triticum aestivum endoxylanase inhibitor]-type and XIP [endoxylanase inhibiting protein]-type inhibitors. The present paper focuses on the TAXI-type proteins and deals with their structural characteristics and the identification, characterisation and heterologous expression of a TAXI gene from wheat. In addition, to shed light on the mechanism by which TAXI-type endoxylanase inhibitors work, the enzyme specificity, the optimal conditions for maximal inhibition activity, the molar complexation ratio and the inhibition kinetics of the inhibitors are explained and the effect of mutations of an endoxylanase on the inhibition by TAXIs is discussed.

Molecular identification of wheat endoxylanase inhibitor TAXI-I1, member of a new class of plant proteins.

Triticum aestivum endoxylanase inhibitors (TAXIs) are wheat proteins that inhibit family 11 endoxylanases commonly used in different (bio)technological processes. Here, we report on the identification of the TAXI-I gene which encodes a mature protein of 381 amino acids with a calculated molecular mass of 38.8 kDa. When expressed in Escherichia coli, the recombinant protein had the specificity and inhibitory activity of natural TAXI-I, providing conclusive evidence that the isolated gene encodes an endoxylanase inhibitor. Bioinformatical analysis indicated that no conserved domains nor motifs common to other known proteins are present. Sequence analysis revealed similarity with a glycoprotein of carrot and with gene families in Arabidopsis thaliana and rice, all with unknown functions. Our data indicate that TAXI-I belongs to a newly identified class of plant proteins for which a molecular function as glycoside hydrolase inhibitor can now be suggested.