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Thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) have long been used in a wide range of industries. However, most existing TPEs are petroleum-derived polymers. To realize environmentally benign alternatives to conventional TPEs, cellulose acetate is a promising TPE hard segment because of its sufficient mechanical properties, availability from renewable sources, and biodegradability in natural environments. Because the degree of substitution (DS) of cellulose acetate governs a range of physical properties, it is a useful parameter for designing novel cellulose acetate-based TPEs. In this study, we synthesized cellulose acetate-based ABA-type triblock copolymers (AcCelx- b-PDL-b-AcCelx) containing a celloologosaccharide acetate hard A segment (AcCelx, where x is the DS; x = 3.0, 2.6, and 2.3) and a poly(o-decanolactone) (PDL) soft B segment. Small-angle X-ray scattering showed that decreasing the DS of AcCelx-b-PDL-b-AcCelx resulted in the formation of a more ordered microphase-separated structure. Owing to the microphase separation of the hard cellulosic and soft PDL segments, all the AcCelx-b- PDL-b-AcCelx samples exhibited elastomer-like properties. Moreover, the decrease in DS improved toughness and suppressed stress relaxation. Furthermore, preliminary biodegradation tests in an aqueous environment revealed that the decrease in DS endowed AcCelx-b-PDL-b-AcCelx with greater biodegradability potential. This work demonstrates the usefulness of cellulose acetate-based TPEs as next-generation sustainable materials.

The enzymatic hydrolysis of barley beta-glucan, konjac glucomannan and carboxymethyl cellulose by a beta-1,4-D-endoglucanase MeCel45A from blue mussel, Mytilus edulis, which belongs to subfamily B of glycoside hydrolase family 45 (GH45), was compared with GH45 members of subfamilies A (Humicola insolens HiCel45A), B (Trichoderma reesei TrCel45A) and C (Phanerochaete chrysosporium PcCel45A). Furthermore, the crystal structure of MeCel45A is reported. Initial rates and hydrolysis yields were determined by reducing sugar assays and product formation was characterized using NMR spectroscopy. The subfamily B and C enzymes exhibited mannanase activity, whereas the subfamily A member was uniquely able to produce monomeric glucose. All enzymes were confirmed to be inverting glycoside hydrolases. MeCel45A appears to be cold adapted by evolution, as it maintained 70% activity on cellohexaose at 4 degrees C relative to 30 degrees C, compared to 35% for TrCel45A. Both enzymes produced cellobiose and cellotetraose from cellohexaose, but TrCel45A additionally produced cellotriose.

The enzymatic hydrolysis of barley beta-glucan, konjac glucomannan and carboxymethyl cellulose by a beta-1,4-D-endoglucanase MeCel45A from blue mussel, Mytilus edulis, which belongs to subfamily B of glycoside hydrolase family 45 (GH45), was compared with GH45 members of subfamilies A (Humicola insolens HiCel45A), B (Trichoderma reesei TrCel45A) and C (Phanerochaete chrysosporium PcCel45A). Furthermore, the crystal structure of MeCel45A is reported. Initial rates and hydrolysis yields were determined by reducing sugar assays and product formation was characterized using NMR spectroscopy. The subfamily B and C enzymes exhibited mannanase activity, whereas the subfamily A member was uniquely able to produce monomeric glucose. All enzymes were confirmed to be inverting glycoside hydrolases. MeCel45A appears to be cold adapted by evolution, as it maintained 70% activity on cellohexaose at 4 degrees C relative to 30 degrees C, compared to 35% for TrCel45A. Both enzymes produced cellobiose and cellotetraose from cellohexaose, but TrCel45A additionally produced cellotriose.

The enzymatic hydrolysis of barley beta-glucan, konjac glucomannan and carboxymethyl cellulose by a beta-1,4-D-endoglucanase MeCel45A from blue mussel, Mytilus edulis, which belongs to subfamily B of glycoside hydrolase family 45 (GH45), was compared with GH45 members of subfamilies A (Humicola insolens HiCel45A), B (Trichoderma reesei TrCel45A) and C (Phanerochaete chrysosporium PcCel45A). Furthermore, the crystal structure of MeCel45A is reported. Initial rates and hydrolysis yields were determined by reducing sugar assays and product formation was characterized using NMR spectroscopy. The subfamily B and C enzymes exhibited mannanase activity, whereas the subfamily A member was uniquely able to produce monomeric glucose. All enzymes were confirmed to be inverting glycoside hydrolases. MeCel45A appears to be cold adapted by evolution, as it maintained 70% activity on cellohexaose at 4 degrees C relative to 30 degrees C, compared to 35% for TrCel45A. Both enzymes produced cellobiose and cellotetraose from cellohexaose, but TrCel45A additionally produced cellotriose.

The enzymatic hydrolysis of barley beta-glucan, konjac glucomannan and carboxymethyl cellulose by a beta-1,4-D-endoglucanase MeCel45A from blue mussel, Mytilus edulis, which belongs to subfamily B of glycoside hydrolase family 45 (GH45), was compared with GH45 members of subfamilies A (Humicola insolens HiCel45A), B (Trichoderma reesei TrCel45A) and C (Phanerochaete chrysosporium PcCel45A). Furthermore, the crystal structure of MeCel45A is reported. Initial rates and hydrolysis yields were determined by reducing sugar assays and product formation was characterized using NMR spectroscopy. The subfamily B and C enzymes exhibited mannanase activity, whereas the subfamily A member was uniquely able to produce monomeric glucose. All enzymes were confirmed to be inverting glycoside hydrolases. MeCel45A appears to be cold adapted by evolution, as it maintained 70% activity on cellohexaose at 4 degrees C relative to 30 degrees C, compared to 35% for TrCel45A. Both enzymes produced cellobiose and cellotetraose from cellohexaose, but TrCel45A additionally produced cellotriose.

The enzymatic hydrolysis of barley beta-glucan, konjac glucomannan and carboxymethyl cellulose by a beta-1,4-D-endoglucanase MeCel45A from blue mussel, Mytilus edulis, which belongs to subfamily B of glycoside hydrolase family 45 (GH45), was compared with GH45 members of subfamilies A (Humicola insolens HiCel45A), B (Trichoderma reesei TrCel45A) and C (Phanerochaete chrysosporium PcCel45A). Furthermore, the crystal structure of MeCel45A is reported. Initial rates and hydrolysis yields were determined by reducing sugar assays and product formation was characterized using NMR spectroscopy. The subfamily B and C enzymes exhibited mannanase activity, whereas the subfamily A member was uniquely able to produce monomeric glucose. All enzymes were confirmed to be inverting glycoside hydrolases. MeCel45A appears to be cold adapted by evolution, as it maintained 70% activity on cellohexaose at 4 degrees C relative to 30 degrees C, compared to 35% for TrCel45A. Both enzymes produced cellobiose and cellotetraose from cellohexaose, but TrCel45A additionally produced cellotriose.

Herein, we compared the microphase-separation behavior and mechanical properties of cellulose- and amylose-based block copolymers (BCPs). Various cellooligosaccharide triacetate-b-poly(delta-decanolactone)-b-cellooligosaccharide triacetates (AcCel(n)-b-PDL-b-AcCel(n)s), which are cellulose-based ABA-type BCPs, with PDL molecular weights of approximately 5, 10, and 20 kg mol(-1) and PDL volume fractions of 0.65, 0.77, and 0.87, were synthesized from alpha,omega-diazido-end-functionalized PDLs and propargyl-end-functionalized cellooligosaccharide triacetates via click chemistry. We adopted the cellodextrin-phosphorylase-mediated oligomerization of alpha-D-glucose-1-phosphase in the presence of a propargyl-end-functionalized cellobiose primer to synthesize the functional cellooligosaccharide segment. The maltooligosaccharide triacetate-b-poly(delta-decanolactone)-b-maltooligosaccharide triacetate (AcMal(n)-b-PDL-b-AcMal(n)s) amylose counterparts were also synthesized in a similar manner. Small-angle X-ray scattering experiments and atomic force microscopy revealed that AcCel(n)-b-PDL-b-AcCel(n)s are more likely to microphase-separate into ordered nanostructures compared to AcMal(n)-b-PDL-b-AcMal(n)s, despite their comparable chemical compositions and molecular weights. Furthermore, AcCel(n)-b-PDL-b-AcCel(n)s exhibited significantly superior mechanical performance compared to their amylose counterparts under tensile testing, with Young's modulus and stress at break of AcCel(n)-b-PDL10k-b-AcCel(n) being 2.3 and 1.8 times higher, respectively, than those of AcMal(n)-b-PDL10k-b-AcMal(n). The enhanced microphase-separation and mechanical properties of AcCel(n)-b-PDL-b-AcCel(n)s were found to be attributable to the stiffness and crystalline nature of the AcCel(n) segments. These results demonstrate the advantages of using cellulose derivatives to synthesize novel biofunctional materials.

Herein, we compared the microphase-separation behavior and mechanical properties of cellulose- and amylose-based block copolymers (BCPs). Various cellooligosaccharide triacetate-b-poly(delta-decanolactone)-b-cellooligosaccharide triacetates (AcCel(n)-b-PDL-b-AcCel(n)s), which are cellulose-based ABA-type BCPs, with PDL molecular weights of approximately 5, 10, and 20 kg mol(-1) and PDL volume fractions of 0.65, 0.77, and 0.87, were synthesized from alpha,omega-diazido-end-functionalized PDLs and propargyl-end-functionalized cellooligosaccharide triacetates via click chemistry. We adopted the cellodextrin-phosphorylase-mediated oligomerization of alpha-D-glucose-1-phosphase in the presence of a propargyl-end-functionalized cellobiose primer to synthesize the functional cellooligosaccharide segment. The maltooligosaccharide triacetate-b-poly(delta-decanolactone)-b-maltooligosaccharide triacetate (AcMal(n)-b-PDL-b-AcMal(n)s) amylose counterparts were also synthesized in a similar manner. Small-angle X-ray scattering experiments and atomic force microscopy revealed that AcCel(n)-b-PDL-b-AcCel(n)s are more likely to microphase-separate into ordered nanostructures compared to AcMal(n)-b-PDL-b-AcMal(n)s, despite their comparable chemical compositions and molecular weights. Furthermore, AcCel(n)-b-PDL-b-AcCel(n)s exhibited significantly superior mechanical performance compared to their amylose counterparts under tensile testing, with Young's modulus and stress at break of AcCel(n)-b-PDL10k-b-AcCel(n) being 2.3 and 1.8 times higher, respectively, than those of AcMal(n)-b-PDL10k-b-AcMal(n). The enhanced microphase-separation and mechanical properties of AcCel(n)-b-PDL-b-AcCel(n)s were found to be attributable to the stiffness and crystalline nature of the AcCel(n) segments. These results demonstrate the advantages of using cellulose derivatives to synthesize novel biofunctional materials.

CAZypedia was initiated in 2007 to create a comprehensive, living encyclopedia of the carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) and associated carbohydrate-binding modules involved in the synthesis, modification and degradation of complex carbohydrates. CAZypedia is closely connected with the actively curated CAZy database, which provides a sequence-based foundation for the biochemical, mechanistic and structural characterization of these diverse proteins. Now celebrating its 10th anniversary online, CAZypedia is a successful example of dynamic, community-driven and expert-based biocuration.

Amphipathic lignin derivatives (ALDs), prepared from hardwood acetic acid lignin and softwood soda lignin via coupling with a mono-epoxylated polyethylene glycol, have been reported to improve the enzymatic saccharification efficiency of lignocellulose while maintaining significant residual cellulase activity after saccharification. We previously demonstrated that the effect of ALDs was caused by a direct interaction between ALDs and Cel6A (or CBH II). In this study, a different ALD was prepared from softwood kraft lignin in addition to aforementioned ALDs. The interactions between all the ALDs and the enzymes other than Cel6A, such as Cel7A and Cel7B, in a cellulase cocktail were investigated using surface plasmon resonance. The kraft lignin-based ALD showed the highest residual cellulase activity among all ALDs and an improved cellulolytic enzyme efficiency similar to those of the other ALDs. All ALDs were found to directly associate with major enzymes in the cellulase cocktail, Cel6A and Cel7A (or CBH I), but not with Cel7B (or EG I). In addition, the ALDs showed a much higher affinity to amino groups than to hydroxy and carboxy groups. In contrast, polyethylene glycol (molecular mass 4000 Da), one part of the ALD and a previously reported enzymatic saccharification enhancer, did not adsorb onto any enzymes in the cellulase cocktail or the amino group. Size exclusion chromatography demonstrated that the ALDs formed self-aggregates in both water and chloroform; the formation process in the latter was especially unique. Therefore, we conclude that the high residual cellulase activity is attributed to the direct association of ALD aggregates with the CBH group.

Amphipathic lignin derivatives (ALDs), prepared from hardwood acetic acid lignin and softwood soda lignin via coupling with a mono-epoxylated polyethylene glycol, have been reported to improve the enzymatic saccharification efficiency of lignocellulose while maintaining significant residual cellulase activity after saccharification. We previously demonstrated that the effect of ALDs was caused by a direct interaction between ALDs and Cel6A (or CBH II). In this study, a different ALD was prepared from softwood kraft lignin in addition to aforementioned ALDs. The interactions between all the ALDs and the enzymes other than Cel6A, such as Cel7A and Cel7B, in a cellulase cocktail were investigated using surface plasmon resonance. The kraft lignin-based ALD showed the highest residual cellulase activity among all ALDs and an improved cellulolytic enzyme efficiency similar to those of the other ALDs. All ALDs were found to directly associate with major enzymes in the cellulase cocktail, Cel6A and Cel7A (or CBH I), but not with Cel7B (or EG I). In addition, the ALDs showed a much higher affinity to amino groups than to hydroxy and carboxy groups. In contrast, polyethylene glycol (molecular mass 4000 Da), one part of the ALD and a previously reported enzymatic saccharification enhancer, did not adsorb onto any enzymes in the cellulase cocktail or the amino group. Size exclusion chromatography demonstrated that the ALDs formed self-aggregates in both water and chloroform; the formation process in the latter was especially unique. Therefore, we conclude that the high residual cellulase activity is attributed to the direct association of ALD aggregates with the CBH group.

Amphipathic lignin derivatives (ALDs), prepared from hardwood acetic acid lignin and softwood soda lignin via coupling with a mono-epoxylated polyethylene glycol, have been reported to improve the enzymatic saccharification efficiency of lignocellulose while maintaining significant residual cellulase activity after saccharification. We previously demonstrated that the effect of ALDs was caused by a direct interaction between ALDs and Cel6A (or CBH II). In this study, a different ALD was prepared from softwood kraft lignin in addition to aforementioned ALDs. The interactions between all the ALDs and the enzymes other than Cel6A, such as Cel7A and Cel7B, in a cellulase cocktail were investigated using surface plasmon resonance. The kraft lignin-based ALD showed the highest residual cellulase activity among all ALDs and an improved cellulolytic enzyme efficiency similar to those of the other ALDs. All ALDs were found to directly associate with major enzymes in the cellulase cocktail, Cel6A and Cel7A (or CBH I), but not with Cel7B (or EG I). In addition, the ALDs showed a much higher affinity to amino groups than to hydroxy and carboxy groups. In contrast, polyethylene glycol (molecular mass 4000 Da), one part of the ALD and a previously reported enzymatic saccharification enhancer, did not adsorb onto any enzymes in the cellulase cocktail or the amino group. Size exclusion chromatography demonstrated that the ALDs formed self-aggregates in both water and chloroform; the formation process in the latter was especially unique. Therefore, we conclude that the high residual cellulase activity is attributed to the direct association of ALD aggregates with the CBH group.

Synthesized amphipathic lignin derivatives comprised of acidic acid lignin (AL) with poly(ethylene glycol) diglycidyl ether (PEGDE), ethoxy-(2-hydroxy)-propoxy-poly(ethylene glycol) glycidyl ether (EPEG) or dodecyloxy-poly(ethylene glycol) glycidyl ether (DAEO) were added before the enzymatic saccharification of unbleached cedar pulp along with two commercially available cellulases, Meicelase and Genencor GC220. At the same filter paper unit (FPU) dosage, GC220 showed higher sugar yield than Meicelase. The difference was attributed to the composition of processive and non-processive endoglucanase activities per FPU; GC220 had higher such activities than Meicelase. The sugar yield was significantly improved by the addition of the lignin derivatives. In addition, residual activities after the saccharification were maintained at the higher level by their addition than with polyethylene glycol (PEG) 4000. In particular, EPEG-AL yielded the complete recovery of cellulase activity when using 20 FPU/g of substrate. It was found that the lignin derivatives were directly associated with Cel6A, one of cellulase components, whereas PEG 4000 was not. Thus, it is evident that the lignin derivatives are promising agents to improve the enzymatic saccharification of cellulase.

Synthesized amphipathic lignin derivatives comprised of acidic acid lignin (AL) with poly(ethylene glycol) diglycidyl ether (PEGDE), ethoxy-(2-hydroxy)-propoxy-poly(ethylene glycol) glycidyl ether (EPEG) or dodecyloxy-poly(ethylene glycol) glycidyl ether (DAEO) were added before the enzymatic saccharification of unbleached cedar pulp along with two commercially available cellulases, Meicelase and Genencor GC220. At the same filter paper unit (FPU) dosage, GC220 showed higher sugar yield than Meicelase. The difference was attributed to the composition of processive and non-processive endoglucanase activities per FPU; GC220 had higher such activities than Meicelase. The sugar yield was significantly improved by the addition of the lignin derivatives. In addition, residual activities after the saccharification were maintained at the higher level by their addition than with polyethylene glycol (PEG) 4000. In particular, EPEG-AL yielded the complete recovery of cellulase activity when using 20 FPU/g of substrate. It was found that the lignin derivatives were directly associated with Cel6A, one of cellulase components, whereas PEG 4000 was not. Thus, it is evident that the lignin derivatives are promising agents to improve the enzymatic saccharification of cellulase.

Synthesized amphipathic lignin derivatives comprised of acidic acid lignin (AL) with poly(ethylene glycol) diglycidyl ether (PEGDE), ethoxy-(2-hydroxy)-propoxy-poly(ethylene glycol) glycidyl ether (EPEG) or dodecyloxy-poly(ethylene glycol) glycidyl ether (DAEO) were added before the enzymatic saccharification of unbleached cedar pulp along with two commercially available cellulases, Meicelase and Genencor GC220. At the same filter paper unit (FPU) dosage, GC220 showed higher sugar yield than Meicelase. The difference was attributed to the composition of processive and non-processive endoglucanase activities per FPU; GC220 had higher such activities than Meicelase. The sugar yield was significantly improved by the addition of the lignin derivatives. In addition, residual activities after the saccharification were maintained at the higher level by their addition than with polyethylene glycol (PEG) 4000. In particular, EPEG-AL yielded the complete recovery of cellulase activity when using 20 FPU/g of substrate. It was found that the lignin derivatives were directly associated with Cel6A, one of cellulase components, whereas PEG 4000 was not. Thus, it is evident that the lignin derivatives are promising agents to improve the enzymatic saccharification of cellulase.

BackgroundSoftwood is the predominant form of land plant biomass in the Northern hemisphere, and is among the most recalcitrant biomass resources to bioprocess technologies. The white rot fungus, Phanerochaete carnosa, has been isolated almost exclusively from softwoods, while most other known white-rot species, including Phanerochaete chrysosporium, were mainly isolated from hardwoods. Accordingly, it is anticipated that P. carnosa encodes a distinct set of enzymes and proteins that promote softwood decomposition. To elucidate the genetic basis of softwood bioconversion by a white-rot fungus, the present study reports the P. carnosa genome sequence and its comparative analysis with the previously reported P. chrysosporium genome.ResultsP. carnosa encodes a complete set of lignocellulose-active enzymes. Comparative genomic analysis revealed that P. carnosa is enriched with genes encoding manganese peroxidase, and that the most divergent glycoside hydrolase families were predicted to encode hemicellulases and glycoprotein degrading enzymes. Most remarkably, P. carnosa possesses one of the largest P450 contingents (266 P450s) among the sequenced and annotated wood-rotting basidiomycetes, nearly double that of P. chrysosporium. Along with metabolic pathway modeling, comparative growth studies on model compounds and chemical analyses of decomposed wood components showed greater tolerance of P. carnosa to various substrates including coniferous heartwood.ConclusionsThe P. carnosa genome is enriched with genes that encode P450 monooxygenases that can participate in extractives degradation, and manganese peroxidases involved in lignin degradation. The significant expansion of P450s in P. carnosa, along with differences in carbohydrate- and lignin-degrading enzymes, could be correlated to the utilization of heartwood and sapwood preparations from both coniferous and hardwood species.

Wood is a major pool of organic carbon that is highly resistant to decay, owing largely to the presence of lignin. The only organisms capable of substantial lignin decay are white rot fungi in the Agaricomycetes, which also contains non?lignin-degrading brown rot and ectomycorrhizal species. Comparative analyses of 31 fungal genomes (12 generated for this study) suggest that lignin-degrading peroxidases expanded in the lineage leading to the ancestor of the Agaricomycetes, which is reconstructed as a white rot species, and then contracted in parallel lineages leading to brown rot and mycorrhizal species. Molecular clock analyses suggest that the origin of lignin degradation might have coincided with the sharp decrease in the rate of organic carbon burial around the end of the Carboniferous period.

Efficient lignin depolymerization is unique to the wood decay basidiomycetes, collectively referred to as white rot fungi. Phanerochaete chrysosporium simultaneously degrades lignin and cellulose, whereas the closely related species, Ceriporiopsis subvermispora, also depolymerizes lignin but may do so with relatively little cellulose degradation. To investigate the basis for selective ligninolysis, we conducted comparative genome analysis of C. subvermispora and P. chrysosporium. Genes encoding manganese peroxidase numbered 13 and five in C. subvermispora and P. chrysosporium, respectively. In addition, the C. subvermispora genome contains at least seven genes predicted to encode laccases, whereas the P. chrysosporium genome contains none. We also observed expansion of the number of C. subvermispora desaturase-encoding genes putatively involved in lipid metabolism. Microarray-based transcriptome analysis showed substantial up-regulation of several desaturase and MnP genes in wood-containing medium. MS identified MnP proteins in C. subvermispora culture filtrates, but none in P. chrysosporium cultures. These results support the importance of MnP and a lignin degradation mechanism whereby cleavage of the dominant nonphenolic structures is mediated by lipid peroxidation products. Two C. subvermispora genes were predicted to encode peroxidases structurally similar to P. chrysosporium lignin peroxidase and, following heterologous expression in Escherichia coli, the enzymes were shown to oxidize high redox potential substrates, but not Mn2. Apart from oxidative lignin degradation, we also examined cellulolytic and hemicellulolytic systems in both fungi. In summary, the C. subvermispora genetic inventory and expression patterns exhibit increased oxidoreductase potential and diminished cellulolytic capability relative to P. chrysosporium.

BackgroundSoftwood is the predominant form of land plant biomass in the Northern hemisphere, and is among the most recalcitrant biomass resources to bioprocess technologies. The white rot fungus, Phanerochaete carnosa, has been isolated almost exclusively from softwoods, while most other known white-rot species, including Phanerochaete chrysosporium, were mainly isolated from hardwoods. Accordingly, it is anticipated that P. carnosa encodes a distinct set of enzymes and proteins that promote softwood decomposition. To elucidate the genetic basis of softwood bioconversion by a white-rot fungus, the present study reports the P. carnosa genome sequence and its comparative analysis with the previously reported P. chrysosporium genome.ResultsP. carnosa encodes a complete set of lignocellulose-active enzymes. Comparative genomic analysis revealed that P. carnosa is enriched with genes encoding manganese peroxidase, and that the most divergent glycoside hydrolase families were predicted to encode hemicellulases and glycoprotein degrading enzymes. Most remarkably, P. carnosa possesses one of the largest P450 contingents (266 P450s) among the sequenced and annotated wood-rotting basidiomycetes, nearly double that of P. chrysosporium. Along with metabolic pathway modeling, comparative growth studies on model compounds and chemical analyses of decomposed wood components showed greater tolerance of P. carnosa to various substrates including coniferous heartwood.ConclusionsThe P. carnosa genome is enriched with genes that encode P450 monooxygenases that can participate in extractives degradation, and manganese peroxidases involved in lignin degradation. The significant expansion of P450s in P. carnosa, along with differences in carbohydrate- and lignin-degrading enzymes, could be correlated to the utilization of heartwood and sapwood preparations from both coniferous and hardwood species.

Wood is a major pool of organic carbon that is highly resistant to decay, owing largely to the presence of lignin. The only organisms capable of substantial lignin decay are white rot fungi in the Agaricomycetes, which also contains non?lignin-degrading brown rot and ectomycorrhizal species. Comparative analyses of 31 fungal genomes (12 generated for this study) suggest that lignin-degrading peroxidases expanded in the lineage leading to the ancestor of the Agaricomycetes, which is reconstructed as a white rot species, and then contracted in parallel lineages leading to brown rot and mycorrhizal species. Molecular clock analyses suggest that the origin of lignin degradation might have coincided with the sharp decrease in the rate of organic carbon burial around the end of the Carboniferous period.

Efficient lignin depolymerization is unique to the wood decay basidiomycetes, collectively referred to as white rot fungi. Phanerochaete chrysosporium simultaneously degrades lignin and cellulose, whereas the closely related species, Ceriporiopsis subvermispora, also depolymerizes lignin but may do so with relatively little cellulose degradation. To investigate the basis for selective ligninolysis, we conducted comparative genome analysis of C. subvermispora and P. chrysosporium. Genes encoding manganese peroxidase numbered 13 and five in C. subvermispora and P. chrysosporium, respectively. In addition, the C. subvermispora genome contains at least seven genes predicted to encode laccases, whereas the P. chrysosporium genome contains none. We also observed expansion of the number of C. subvermispora desaturase-encoding genes putatively involved in lipid metabolism. Microarray-based transcriptome analysis showed substantial up-regulation of several desaturase and MnP genes in wood-containing medium. MS identified MnP proteins in C. subvermispora culture filtrates, but none in P. chrysosporium cultures. These results support the importance of MnP and a lignin degradation mechanism whereby cleavage of the dominant nonphenolic structures is mediated by lipid peroxidation products. Two C. subvermispora genes were predicted to encode peroxidases structurally similar to P. chrysosporium lignin peroxidase and, following heterologous expression in Escherichia coli, the enzymes were shown to oxidize high redox potential substrates, but not Mn2. Apart from oxidative lignin degradation, we also examined cellulolytic and hemicellulolytic systems in both fungi. In summary, the C. subvermispora genetic inventory and expression patterns exhibit increased oxidoreductase potential and diminished cellulolytic capability relative to P. chrysosporium.

Glycosynthases are precise molecular instruments for making specifically linked oligosaccharides. X-ray crystallography screening of ligands bound to the 1,3(4)-beta-D-glucanase nucleophile mutant E115S of Phanerochaete chrysosporium Laminarinase 16A (Lam16A) showed that laminariheptaose (L7) bound in an arch with the reducing and nonreducing ends occupying either side of the catalytic cleft of the enzyme. The X-ray structure of Lam16A E115S in complex with alpha-laminariheptaosyl fluoride (alphaL7F) revealed how alphaL7F could make a nucleophilic attack upon itself. Indeed, when Lam16A E115S was allowed to react with alphaL7F the major product was a cyclic beta-1,3-heptaglucan, as shown by mass spectrometry. NMR confirmed uniquely beta-1,3-linkages and no reducing end. Molecular dynamics simulations indicate that the cyclic laminariheptaose molecule is not completely planar and that torsion angles at the glycosidic linkages fluctuate between two energy minima. This is the first report of a glycosynthase that joins the reducing and nonreducing ends of a single oligosaccharide and the first reported synthesis of cyclic beta-glucan.

Laminarinase Lam16A from Phanerochaete chrysosporium was recombinantly expressed in Pichia pastoris, crystallized and the structure was solved at 1.34 A resolution using native sulfur SAD X-ray crystallography. It is the first structure of a non-specific 1,3(4)-beta-D-glucanase from glycoside hydrolase family 16 (GH16). P. chrysosporium is a wood-degrading basidiomycete fungus and Lam16A is the predominant extracellular protein expressed when laminarin is used as the sole carbon source. The protein folds into a curved beta-sandwich homologous to those of other known GH16 enzyme structures (especially kappa-carrageenase from Pseudo-alteromonas carrageenovora and beta-agarase from Zobelia galactanivorans). A notable likeness is also evident with the related glycoside hydrolase family 7 (GH7) enzymes. A mammalian lectin, p58/ERGIC, as well as polysaccharide lyase (PL7) enzymes also showed significant similarity to Lam16A. The enzyme has two potential N-glycosylation sites. One such site, at Asn43, displayed a branched heptasaccharide sufficiently stabilized to be interpreted from the X-ray diffraction data. The other N-glycosylation motif was found close to the catalytic centre and is evidently not glycosylated.