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An extremely thermophilic bacterial isolate that produces a high titer of thermostable endoxylanase and β-xylosidase extracellularly in an inducible manner was identified as Geobacillus thermodenitrificans TSAA1. The distinctive features of this strain are alkalitolerance and halotolerance. The endoxylanase is active over a broad range of pH (5.0-10.0) and temperatures (30-100 °C) with optima at pH 7.5 and 70 °C, while β-xylosidase is optimally active at pH 7.0 and 60 °C. The T values of the endoxylanase and β-xylosidase are 30 min at 80 °C, and 180 min at 70 °C, respectively. The endoxylanase activity is stimulated by dithiothreitol, but inhibited strongly by EDAC and Woodward's reagent K. N-BS and DEPC strongly inhibited β-xylosidase. MALDI-ToF (MS/MS) analysis of tryptic digest of β-xylosidase revealed similarity with that of G. thermodenitrificans NG 80-2, and suggested that this belongs to the GH 52 glycosyl hydrolase super family. The action of endoxylanase on birch wood xylan and agro-residues such as wheat bran and wheat straw liberated xylooligosaccharides similar to endoxylanases of the family 10 glycoside hydrolases, while the enzyme preparation having both endoxylanase and β-xylosidase liberated xylose as main hydrolysis product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: β-Xylosidase is an important constituent of the hemicellulase system and it plays an important role in hydrolyzing xylooligosaccharides to xylose. Xylose, a useful monose, has been utilized in a wide range of applications such as food, light, chemical as well as energy industry. Therefore, the xylose-tolerant β-xylosidase with high specific activity for bioconversion of xylooligosaccharides has a great potential in the fields as above. Results: A β-xylosidase gene (Tth xynB3) of 2,322 bp was cloned from the extremely thermophilic bacterium Thermotoga thermarum DSM 5069 that encodes a protein containing 774 amino acid residues, and was expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3). The phylogenetic trees of β-xylosidases were constructed using Neighbor-Joining (NJ) and Maximum-Parsimony (MP) methods. The phylogeny and amino acid analysis indicated that the Tth xynB3 β-xylosidase was a novel β-xylosidase of GH3. The optimal activity of the Tth xynB3 β-xylosidase was obtained at pH 6.0 and 95°C and was stable over a pH range of 5.0-7.5 and exhibited 2 h half-life at 85°C. The kinetic parameters Km and Vmax values for p-nitrophenyl-β-D-xylopyranoside and p-nitrophenyl-α-L-arabinofuranoside were 0.27 mM and 223.3 U/mg, 0.21 mM and 75 U/mg, respectively. The kcat/Km values for p-nitrophenyl-β-D-xylopyranoside and p-nitrophenyl-α-L-arabinofuranoside were 1,173.4 mM-1 s-1 and 505.9 mM-1 s-1, respectively. It displayed high tolerance to xylose, with Ki value approximately 1000 mM. It was stimulated by xylose at higher concentration up to 500 mM, above which the enzyme activity of Tth xynB3 β-xylosidase was gradually decreased. However, it still remained approximately 50% of its original activity even if the concentration of xylose was as high as 1000 mM. It was also discovered that the Tth xynB3 β-xylosidase exhibited a high hydrolytic activity on xylooligosaccharides. When 5% substrate was incubated with 0.3 U Tth xynB3 β-xylosidase in 200 μL reaction system for 3 h, almost all the substrate was biodegraded into xylose. Conclusions: The article provides a useful and novel β-xylosidase displaying extraordinary and desirable properties: high xylose tolerance and catalytic activity at temperatures above 75°C, thermally stable and excellent hydrolytic activity on xylooligosaccharides [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To extend fruit market life, tomatoes are harvested before red ripe and kept at temperatures below optimum (20°C). In this work, Micro-Tom tomatoes stored at 20°C (normal ripening) were compared with those stored at 15°C or 4°C (chilling injury inducer) for 7 days. In contrast to 4°C, storage at 15°C delayed ripening with the benefit of not enhancing oxidative metabolism and of enabling ripening upon being transferred to 20°C. The transcriptional expression profile of enzymes related to cell wall metabolism was compared at the three temperatures. Although endo-β-1 ,4-glucanase (Cel1), which is associated with fruit decay, was largely increased after removal from 4°C storage, its expression was not modified in fruits stored at 15°C. Enhanced transcriptional expression of xyloglucan endotransgylcosylase/hydrolases (XTHs) XTH1, -2, -10 and -11, and of two β-xylosidases (Xyl1-2) was detected in fruits stored at 15°C with respect to those at 20°C. Following 2 days at 20°C, these transcripts remained higher in fruits stored at 15 °C and XHT3 and -9 also increased. Ethylene evolution was similar in fruits kept at 15°C and 20°C; thus, the changes in the transcript profile and fruit properties between these treatments may be under the control of factors other than ethylene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

RS223-BX of glycoside hydrolase family 43 is a β-d-xylosidase that is strongly activated (k cat/K m as much as 116-fold) by the addition of divalent metal cations, Ca2+, Co2+, Fe2+, Mg2+, Mn2+ and Ni2+. Slow activation by Mg2+ was demonstrated (k on 0.013s−1 mM−1, k off 0.008s−1) at pH 7.0 and 25°C. k off and k on values are independent of Mg2+ concentration, but k off and k on are slower in the presence of increasing levels of substrate 4-nitrophenyl-β-d-xylopyranoside. The kinetics strongly suggest that M2+ binds to the enzyme rapidly, forming E M2+, followed by slow isomerization to the activated enzyme, E∗ M2+. Moderately high values of k cat (7–30s−1) were found for M2+-activated RS223-BX acting on xylobiose (natural substrate) at pH 7.0 and 25°C. Certain M2+-activated RS223-BX exhibit the highest reported values of k cat/K m of any β-xylosidase acting on natural substrates: for example, at pH 7.0 and 25°C, xylobiose (Mn2+, 190s−1 mM−1), xylotriose (Ca2+, 150s−1 mM−1) and xylotetraose (Ca2+, 260s−1 mM−1). There is potential for the enzyme to add value to industrial saccharification operations at low substrate and high d-glucose and high d-xylose concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A gene coding for thermotolerant β-xylosidase from Aspergillus sp. BCC125 was characterized. The recombinant enzyme was expressed in methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris KM71 and especially high yield of secreted enzyme was obtained. β-xylosidase possessed high enzyme efficiency (K cat/K m =198.8mM−1 s−1) toward pNP-β-D-xylopyranoside (pNPβX) with optimal temperature and pH for activity of 60°C and pH 4.0–5.0, respectively. The identified β-xylosidase showed clear synergism with previously identified xylanase for hydrolysis of xylan in vitro as well as simultaneous saccharification and fermentation process (SSF) in vivo with Pichia stipitis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In the recent years there has been a growing interest in the use of oligosaccharides as prebiotics to modulate gut microbiota with an aim to improve the gut health. Though xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS) have been increasingly used as prebiotics, information pertaining to the enzymes used by lactobacilli to degrade these substrates is scanty. Present investigation reports the purification and characterization of β-d-xylosidase from Lactobacillus brevis NCDC01 grown on XOS. Three sequential steps consisting of ultra-filtration, DEAE cellulose ion-exchange and Sephacryl S-100 gel filtration chromatographies were employed to purify the enzyme to apparent homogeneity and it was found to be monomeric on SDS-PAGE with an apparent molecular mass of ∼58.0kDa. The pH and temperature optima were 6.0 and 40°C respectively. The enzyme remained stable over a pH range of 5.5–7.5 and up to 50°C for 30min. Under optimum pH and temperature with p-nitrophenyl β-d-xylopyranoside as a substrate, the enzyme exhibited a K m of 0.87mM. The enzyme does not require any metal ion for activity or stability but is completely inhibited by Hg2+, Pb2+, p-chloromercuribenzoate (PCMB), oxalic acid and citric acid. This is perhaps the first report on the purification and characterization of β-d-xylosidase from Lactobacillus brevis NCDC01. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Depolymerization of xylan, a major fraction of lignocellulosic biomass, releases xylose which can be converted into transportation fuels and chemical feedstocks. A requisite enzyme for the breakdown of xylan is β-xylosidase. A gene encoding the 324-amino acid β-xylosidase, RS223-BX, was cloned from an anaerobic mixed microbial culture. This glycoside hydrolase belongs to family 43. Unlike other GH43 enzymes, RS223-BX can be strongly activated by exogenously supplied Ca2+, Co2+, Fe2+, Mg2+, Mn2+ and Ni2+ (e.g., 28-fold by Mg2+) and it is inhibited by Cu2+ or Zn2+. Sedimentation equilibrium centrifugation experiments indicated that the divalent metal cations mediate multimerization of the enzyme from a dimeric to a tetrameric state, which have equal catalytic activity on an active-site basis. Compared to the determined active sites of other GH43 β-xylosidases, the predicted active site of RS223-BX contains two additional amino acids with carboxylated side chains that provide potential sites for divalent metal cations to reside. Thus, the divalent metal cations likely occupy the active site and participate in the catalytic mechanism. RS223-BX accepts as substrate xylobiose, arabinobiose, 4-nitrophenyl-β-d-xylopyranoside, and 4-nitrophenyl-α-l-arabinofuranoside. Additionally, the enzyme has good pH and temperature stabilities and a large K i for d-glucose (1.3M), favorable properties for performance in saccharification reactors. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Extracellular xylanase and β-xylosidase production by a Penicillium janczewskii strain were investigated in liquid cultures with xylan from oat spelts under different physical and chemical conditions. The selected conditions for optimized production of xylanase and β-xylosidase were 7 days, pH 6.5, at 30 °C and 8 days, pH 5.0, at 25 °C, respectively. The xylanase exhibited optimal activity in pH 5.0 at 50 °C and the β- xylosidase in pH 4.0 at 75 °C. The xylanase was more stable at pH 6.0 to 9.5, while the β-xylosidase remained stable at pH ranging from 1.6 to 5.5. The xylanase half-life (T50) at 40, 50, and 60 °C was 183, 15, and 3 min, respectively. β-xylosidase half-life was 144, 8, and 4 min at 50, 65, and 75 °C, respectively. When applied to the biobleaching of Eucalyptus kraft pulp, xylanase dosages of 2 and 4 U/g dried pulp reduced, respectively, kappa number by 3.0 and 3.3 units after 1 h treatment, demonstrating that the use of P. janczewskii xylanases in this process is quite promising. The pulp viscosity was not altered, confirming the absence of cellulolytic enzymes in the fungal extract. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The catalytic amino acid residues of the β- d-xylosidase (EC 3.2.1.37; GH43), from Thermobifida fusca TM51 (TfBXyl43), were investigated by direct chemical modifications. The pH dependence curves of the kinetic parameters (k and k/K) gave pK values for the free enzyme (5.55 ± 0.19; 6.44 ± 0.19), and pK values of for the enzyme-substrate complex (4.85 ± 0.23; 7.60 ± 0.28) respectively, by using an artificial substrate p-nitrophenyl-β- d-xylopyranoside (pNP-Xyl). The detailed inhibition studies demonstrated well the hydrophobic character of the glycon binding site. Carbodiimide-mediated chemical modifications of the enzyme with 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDAC) in the presence of glycine methyl ester supports the conclusion that a carboxylate residue can be fundamental in the catalytic process. We have also synthesized and tested N-bromoacetyl-β- d-xylopyranosylamine (NBAXA) for TfBXyl43 as an affinity label, which also inactivated the enzyme irreversible. The pH dependence studies in both cases of inactivation revealed that the modified group is the catalytic proton donor (NBAXA pK = 6.68 ± 0,1; EDAC pK = 7.42 ± 0.22) which displays its essential role in the hydrolytic process. The β- d-xylopyranosylazide as competitive inhibitor protected the enzyme in all cases against the inactivation, suggesting that the chemical modification which has an impact on the activity took place in the active center. Changing of the enzyme conformation was followed by CD spectroscopy, as a result of the NBAXA inactivation. Our study is important because to our knowledge no similar investigations were made in the case of an inverting β- d-xylosidase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficient, low-cost enzymatic hydrolysis of lignocellulosic residues is essential for cost-effective production of bioethanol. The production of ß-glucosidase, ß-xylosidase and xylanase by Colletotrichum graminicola was optimized using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). Maximal production occurred in wheat bran. Sugarcane trash, peanut hulls and corncob enhanced ß-glucosidase, ß-xylosidase and xylanase production, respectively. Maximal levels after optimization reached 159.3 ± 12.7 U g-1, 128.1 ± 6.4 U g-1 and 378.1 ± 23.3 U g-1, respectively, but the enzymes were produced simultaneously at good levels under culture conditions optimized for each one of them. Optima of pH and temperature were 5.0 and 65 °C for the three enzymes, which maintained full activity for 72 h at 50 °C and for 120 min at 60 °C (ß-glucosidase) or 65 °C (ß-xylosidase and xylanase). Mixed with Trichoderma reesei cellulases, C. graminicola crude extract hydrolyzed raw sugarcane trash with glucose yield of 33.1% after 48 h, demonstrating good potential to compose efficient cocktails for lignocellulosic materials hydrolysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

β-xylosidase from thermophilic fungi Paecilomyces thermophila was functionally expressed in Pichia pastoris with a his tag in the C-terminal under the alcohol oxidase 1 (AOX1) promoter and secreted into the medium at 0.22 mg l. Its molecular mass was estimated to be 52.3 kDa based on the SDS-PAGE analysis, which is 1.3 times higher than the predicted 39.31 kDa from its amino acid compositions, although no potential N- or O- glycosylation sites were predicted from its amino acid sequence. This is presumed to be caused by some unpredictable posttranslational modifications based on mass spectrum analysis of the recombinant protein. The enzyme was most active at 60 °C and pH 7. It showed not only a β-xylosidase activity with a K of 8 mM and a V of 54 μmol min mg for hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl β- d-xylopyranoside but also an arabinofuranosidase activity (6.2 U mg) on p-nitrophenyl arabinofuranoside. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lignocellulose, the main component of plant cell walls, comprises polyaromatic lignin and fermentable materials, cellulose and hemicellulose. It is a plentiful and renewable feedstock for chemicals and energy. It can serve as a raw material for the production of various value-added products, including cellulase and xylanase. Cellulase is essentially required in lignocellulose-based biorefineries and is applied in many commercial processes. Likewise, xylanases are industrially important enzymes applied in papermaking and in the manufacture of prebiotics and pharmaceuticals. Owing to the widespread application of these enzymes, many prokaryotes and eukaryotes have been exploited to produce cellulase and xylanases in good yields, yet yeasts have rarely been explored for their plant-cell-wall-degrading activities. This review is focused on summarizing reports about cellulolytic and xylanolytic yeasts, their properties, and their biotechnological applications.

Xylan-1,4-ß-xylosidase (ß-xylosidase) hydrolyses xylooligomers at their non-reducing ends into individual xylose units. Recently, XylC, a ß-xylosidase from Thermoanaerobacterium saccharolyticum JW/SL-YS485, was found to be structurally different from corresponding glycosyl hydrolases in the CAZy database (http://www.cazy.org/), and was subsequently classified as the first member of a novel family of glycoside hydrolases (GH120). In the present paper, we report three crystal structures of XylC in complex with Tris, xylobiose and xylose at 1.48-2.05 Å (1 Å=0.1 nm) resolution. XylC assembles into a tetramer, and each monomer comprises two distinct domains. The core domain is a right-handed parallel ß-helix (residues 1-75 and 201-638) and the flanking region (residues 76-200) folds into a ß-sandwich domain. The enzyme contains an open carbohydrate-binding cleft, allowing accommodation of longer xylo-oligosaccharides. On the basis of the crystal structures and in agreement with previous kinetic data, we propose that XylC cleaves the glycosidic bond by the retaining mechanism using two acidic residues Asp382 (nucleophile) and Glu405 (general acid/base). In addition to the active site, nine other xylose-binding sites were consistently observed in each of the four monomers, providing a possible reason for the high tolerance of product inhibition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The subject of our investigations was a recombinant β- d-xylosidase (TfBXyl43) from Thermobifida fusca TM51 which was expressed in E. coli BL21DE3 and was purified to apparent homogeneity. The SDS-PAGE investigations demonstrated that the molecular weight of the monomer unit is 62.5 kDa but the native-PAGE studies indicated that the mass of the enzyme is 240-250 kDa which proves the presence of a characteristic homo oligomer quaternary structure in solution phase. Optimal parameters of the enzyme activity were at pH 6.0 and 50 °C. The enzyme showed little stability under pH 4.5 and above 60 °C. The substrate specificity investigations indicated that the TfBXyl43 is an exo-glycosidase, hydrolyzing only xylobiose and -triose from the nonreducing end. Besides the enzyme shows very high specificity on the glycon part of the substrate, since it can only hydrolyze β- d-xylopyranoside derivatives. The importance of hydrophobic interactions in the binding of the substrates are supported that the enzyme can hydrolize about four times more efficiently the artificial p-nitrophenyl-β- d-xylopyranoside substrate compared to the natural one, xylobiose. Furthermore we could detect transxylosidase activity both in the case of xylobiose and p-nitrophenyl-β- d-xylopyranoside donors which is the first example among the inverting β- d-xylosidases from T. fusca. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT The activities of polygalacturonase, pectin lyase, β-glucosidase, β-xylosidase and protease were determined using solid media in 420 wild non- Saccharomyces cider strains identified by internal transcribed spacer-restriction fragment length polymorphism. The identified species corresponded to Hanseniaspora valbyensis, Hanseniaspora uvarum, Hanseniaspora osmophila, Metschnikowia pulcherrima, Candida parapsilosis and Pichia guilliermondii. The most common activity exhibited was that of β-glucosidase (33%), with all the analyzed species having some strains able to develop this activity. Strains of M. pulcherrima showed the greatest capacity to produce β-glucosidase and protease. β-xylosidase was detected in 17 yeast strains belonging to the genera Hanseniaspora, Pichia and Metschnikowia. All of the tested species have some strains with the capacity to develop β-xylosidase activity, except for C. parapsilosis. No strains were able to secrete pectin lyase, while polygalacturonase activity was observed in eight Hanseniaspora strains. Only two strains, belonging to the species H. uvarum and M. pulcherrima, developed three enzymatic activities, namely β-glucosidase, β-xylosidase and protease. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS The non- Saccharomyces yeasts are very interesting in cider making because of the low level of ethanol in cider. In this paper, it is demonstrated that the yeast isolated from Asturian cider represents a source of several enzymes, which have capacity to release flavor compounds. In this sense non- Saccharomyces strains are being used as inoculated cultures to ferment apple pomace and apple must, with the aim of enhancing the aroma and flavor of the products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the capabilities of Trichoderma reesei cellulases have been greatly improved, these enzymes are still too costly for commercial use. The aim of this research was to assess the biomass saccharification capability of JN11, a recombinant cellulase, compared with that of the commercially available cellulases Accellerase 1500 and Cellic CTec. The activities of JN11, Accellerase 1500, and Cellic CTec were compared by using various types of cellulosic biomass, including rice straw, Erianthus, eucalyptus, and Japanese cedar. JN11 had higher saccharification capability for rice straw, Erianthus, eucalyptus, and Japanese cedar compared with the commercial cellulases. The JN11 saccharification of cellulosic biomasses, including hemicellulose (NaOH-pretreated biomasses), resulted in high glucose and xylose yields because of the high xylanase/xylosidase activity of JN11. Moreover, even JN11 saccharification of hemicellulose-free biomasses (sulfuric acid-, hydrothermally, and steam exploded-pretreated biomasses) resulted in high glucose yields. The cellulase activity of JN11, however, was comparable to that of its commercial counterparts. These findings indicate that the saccharification ability of cellulase is unrelated to its cellulase activity when measured against Avicel, CMC, pNP-lactoside, and other substrates. JN11 showed high activity for all types of pretreated cellulosic biomasses, indicating its usefulness for saccharification of various cellulosic biomasses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: The purification and biochemical properties of the 1,4-β-xylosidase of an oenological yeast were investigated. Methods and Results: An ethanol-tolerant 1,4-β-xylosidase was purified from cultures of a strain of Pichia membranifaciens grown on xylan at 28°C. The enzyme was purified by sequential chromatography on DEAE cellulose and Sephadex G-100. The relative molecular mass of the enzyme was determined to be 50 kDa by SDS-PAGE. The activity of 1,4-β-xylosidase was optimum at pH 6·0 and at 35°C. The activity had a Km of 0·48 ± 0·06 mmol l-1 and a Vmax of 7·4 ± 0·1 μmol min-1 mg-1 protein for p-nitrophenyl-β-d-xylopyranoside. Conclusions: The enzyme characteristics (pH and thermal stability, low inhibition rate by glucose and ethanol tolerance) make this enzyme a good candidate to be used in enzymatic production of xylose and improvement of hemicellulose saccharification for production of bioethanol. Significance and Impact of the Study: This study may be useful for assessing the ability of the 1,4-β-xylosidase from P. membranifaciens to be used in the bioethanol production process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To characterize a β-xylosidase from the thermophilic fungus Thermomyces lanuginosus and to investigate its potential in saccharification of hemicellulosic xylans. Methods and Results: A gene (designated TlXyl43) encoding β-xylosidase was cloned from T. lanuginosus CAU44 and expressed in Escherichia coli. The gene consists of a 1017-bp open reading frame without introns. It encodes a mature protein of 338 residues with no predicted signal peptide, belonging to glycoside hydrolase (GH) family 43. Over 60% of the recombinant β-xylosidase (TlXyl43) was secreted into the culture medium. TlXyl43 was purified 2·6-fold to homogeneity with an estimated mass of 51·6 kDa by SDS-PAGE. The purified enzyme exhibited optimal activity at pH 6·5 and 55°C and was stable at 50°C. It was competitively inhibited by xylose with a Ki value of 63 mmol l-1. Conclusions: In this study, a GH family 43 β-xylosidase gene (TlXyl43) from T. lanuginosus CAU44 was cloned and functionally expressed in E. coli, and over 60% of recombinant protein was secreted into the culture. Significance and Impact of the Study: This is the first report of the cloning and functional expression of a β-xylosidase gene from Thermomyces species. TlXyl43 holds great potential for variety of industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aspergillus ochraceus, a thermotolerant fungus isolated in Brazil from decomposing materials, produced an extracellular β-xylosidase that was purified using DEAE-cellulose ion exchange chromatography, Sephadex G-100 and Biogel P-60 gel filtration. β-xylosidase is a glycoprotein (39 % carbohydrate content) and has a molecular mass of 137 kDa by SDS-PAGE, with optimal temperature and pH at 70 °C and 3.0-5.5, respectively. β-xylosidase was stable in acidic pH (3.0-6.0) and 70 °C for 1 h. The enzyme was activated by 5 mM MnCl (28 %) and MgCl (20 %) salts. The β-xylosidase produced by A. ochraceus preferentially hydrolyzed p-nitrophenyl-β- d-xylopyranoside, exhibiting apparent K and V values of 0.66 mM and 39 U (mg protein) respectively, and to a lesser extent p-nitrophenyl-β- d-glucopyranoside. The enzyme was able to hydrolyze xylan from different sources, suggesting a novel β- d-xylosidase that degrades xylan. HPLC analysis revealed xylans of different compositions which allowed explaining the differences in specificity observed by β-xylosidase. TLC confirmed the capacity of the enzyme in hydrolyzing xylan and larger xylo-oligosaccharides, as xylopentaose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Streams draining agricultural basins are subjected to the input of fungicides which can affect aquatic microbial communities. We analyzed the effect of the fungicide tebuconazole (TBZ) on Alnus glutinosa and Populus nigra litter breakdown by aquatic microorganisms. For six weeks, fungal and bacterial responses were analyzed in indoor stream channels subjected to TBZ-contaminated (33.1±12.4μgL−1) and uncontaminated conditions. Litter breakdown rates decreased in presence of TBZ. The decrease was explained by reductions in microbial biomass development and shifts in community structure. At the same time, TBZ modified the kinetics of β-glucosidase, β-xylosidase and cellobiohydrolase enzymes resulting in lower affinities for cellulose and hemicellulose decomposition in leaves. These alterations were modulated by the litter quality; the greatest structural impairment was observed in Populus whereas Alnus were more affected in terms of leaf breakdown rate. Our results suggest that chronic exposure to TBZ can affect aquatic microbial communities and their capacity to break down leaf litter in streams. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

β-Xylosidases (EC 3.2.1.37) are among the principal glycosyl hydrolases involved in the breakdown of hemicelluloses, catalyzing the reduction of xylooligosaccharides to free xylose. All GH39 β-xylosidases structurally characterized to date display a modular multi-domain organization that assembles a tetrameric quaternary structure. In this work, the crystal structure and the SAXS molecular envelope of a new GH39 β-xylosidase from Caulobacter crescentus (CcXynB2) have been determined. Interestingly, CcXynB2 is a monomer in solution and comparative structural analyses suggest that the shortened C-terminus prevents the formation of a stable tetramer. Moreover, CcXynB2 has a longer loop from the auxiliary domain (the long α-helix-containing loop) which makes a number of polar and hydrophobic contacts with the parental (α/β)8-barrel domain, modifying the accessibility and the molecular topography of the catalytic interface. These interactions also maintain the accessory domain tightly linked to the catalytic core, which may be important for enzyme function and stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The xynB1 gene (CCNA 01040) of Caulobacter crescentus that encodes a bifunctional enzyme containing the conserved β-Xylosidase and α- l-Arabinofuranosidase (β-Xyl I-α- l-Ara) domains was amplified by PCR and cloned into the vector pJet1.2Blunt. The xynB1 gene was subcloned into the vector pPROEX-hta that produces a histidine-fused translation product. The overexpression of recombinant β-Xyl I-α- l-Ara was induced with IPTG in BL21 (DE3) and the resulting intracellular protein was purified with pre-packaged nickel-Sepharose columns. The recombinant β-Xyl I-α- l-Ara exhibited a specific β-Xylosidase I activity of 1.25 U mg to oNPX and a specific α- l-Arabinofuranosidase activity of 0.47 U mg to pNPA. The predominant activity of the recombinant enzyme was its β-Xylosidase I activity, and the enzymatic characterization was focused on it. The β-Xylosidase I activity was high over the pH range 3-10, with maximal activity at pH 6. The enzyme activity was optimal at 45 °C, and a high degree of stability was verified over 240 min at this temperature. Moreover, β-Xylosidase activity was inhibited in the presence of the metals Zn and Cu, and the enzyme exhibited K and V values of 2.89 ± 0.13 mM and 1.4 ± 0.04 μM min to oNPX, respectively. The modeled structure of β-xylosidase I showed that its active site is highly conserved compared with other structures of the GH43 family. The increase in the number of contact residues responsible for maintaining the dimeric structure indicates that this dimer is more stable than the tetramer form. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cell-wall components are hydrolysed by numerous plant glycosidase and glycanase activities. We investigated whether plant enzymes also modify xyloglucan structures by transglycosidase activities. Diverse angiosperm extracts exhibited transglycosidase activities that progressively transferred single sugar residues between xyloglucan heptasaccharide (XXXG or its reduced form, XXXGol) molecules, at 16 μ m and above, creating octa- to decasaccharides plus smaller products. We measured remarkably high transglycosylation:hydrolysis ratios under optimized conditions. To identify the transferred monosaccharide(s), we devised a dual-labelling strategy in which a neutral radiolabelled oligosaccharide (donor substrate) reacted with an amino-labelled non-radioactive oligosaccharide (acceptor substrate), generating radioactive cationic products. For example, 37 μ m [ Xyl-3H]XXXG plus 1 m m XXLG-NH2 generated 3H-labelled cations, demonstrating xylosyl transfer, which exceeded xylosyl hydrolysis 1.6- to 7.3-fold, implying the presence of enzymes that favour transglycosylation. The transferred xylose residues remained α-linked but were relatively resistant to hydrolysis by plant enzymes. Driselase digestion of the products released a trisaccharide (α-[3H]xylosyl-isoprimeverose), indicating that a new xyloglucan repeat unit had been formed. In similar assays, [ Gal-3H]XXLG and [ Gal-3H]XLLG (but not [ Fuc-3H]XXFG) yielded radioactive cations. Thus plants exhibit trans-α-xylosidase and trans-β-galactosidase (but not trans-α-fucosidase) activities that graft sugar residues from one xyloglucan oligosaccharide to another. Reconstructing xyloglucan oligosaccharides in this way may alter oligosaccharin activities or increase their longevity in vivo. Trans-α-xylosidase activity also transferred xylose residues from xyloglucan oligosaccharides to long-chain hemicelluloses (xyloglucan, water-soluble cellulose acetate, mixed-linkage β-glucan, glucomannan and arabinoxylan). With xyloglucan as acceptor substrate, such an activity potentially affects the polysaccharide's suitability as a substrate for xyloglucan endotransglucosylase action and thereby modulates cell expansion. We conclude that certain proteins annotated as glycosidases can function as transglycosidases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Nectar is considered a primary alimentary reward for a large variety of pollinators. Recent studies demonstrated that nectar may have other functions in addition to attracting pollinators. Mainly other two functions have been recognized: defense against microbial invasion and post-secretion modification of sugar profile. The floral nectar of Cucurbita pepo L. has been analyzed to confirm the presence of defense proteins, namely xylosidases that were identified by means of a proteomic approach in a previous study. An enzyme assay was also performed that revealed low invertase activity for which the optimal pH was determined. This invertase activity is not able to modify the sugar profile significantly during the short period of anthesis (6h). The amino acids complement of the nectar of both sexes was also determined. Sixteen of the 20 protein amino acids have been detected. Proline comprises more than 30% of total amino acid content in male and female flowers. Three non-protein amino acids (taurine, β-alanine, and GABA) represent almost one third of the total amino acid content, and of these, GABA is the most abundant (16%). Several biological activities were attributed to these amino acids and further studies are needed to assess their presumed involvement in managing the foraging behavior of insects. More recent studies, including our own, demonstrate that the various functions of nectar are much more complex than previously thought. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Angiosperms possess a retaining trans-α-xylosidase activity that catalyses the inter-molecular transfer of xylose residues between xyloglucan structures. To identify the linkage of the newly transferred α-xylose residue, we used [Xyl-3H]XXXG (xyloglucan heptasaccharide) as donor substrate and reductively-aminated xyloglucan oligosaccharides (XGO–NH2) as acceptor. Asparagus officinalis enzyme extracts generated cationic radioactive products ([3H]Xyl·XGO–NH2) that were Driselase-digestible to a neutral trisaccharide containing an α-[3H]xylose residue. After borohydride reduction, the trimer exhibited high molybdate-affinity, indicating xylobiosyl-(1→6)-glucitol rather than a di-xylosylated glucitol. Thus the trans-α-xylosidase had grafted an additional α-[3H]xylose residue onto the xylose of an isoprimeverose unit. The trisaccharide was rapidly acetolysed to an α-[3H]xylobiose, confirming the presence of an acetolysis-labile (1→6)-bond. The α-[3H]xylobiitol formed by reduction of this α-[3H]xylobiose had low molybdate-affinity, indicating a (1→2) or (1→4) linkage. In NaOH, the α-[3H]xylobiose underwent alkaline peeling at the moderate rate characteristic of a (1→4)-disaccharide. Finally, we synthesised eight non-radioactive xylobioses [α and β; (1↔1), (1→2), (1→3) and (1→4)] and found that the [3H]xylobiose co-chromatographed only with (1→4)-α-xylobiose. We conclude that Asparagus trans-α-xylosidase activity generates a novel xyloglucan building block, α-d-Xylp-(1→4)-α-d-Xylp-(1→6)-d-Glc (abbreviation: ‘V’). Modifying xyloglucan structures in this way may alter oligosaccharin activities, or change their suitability as acceptor substrates for xyloglucan endotransglucosylase (XET) activity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Experiments were performed to find potential sources for enzyme production for the pulp and paper industry and for biological ethanol production by screening the cellulase, xylanase and β-xylosidase activities of 36 species of Penicillium isolated from various wood materials in Korea. Rice straw powder (RiceP), birchwood xylan (BirchX), and beechwood xylan (BeechX) were supplied as individual carbon sources for the Penicillium species. All Penicillium species tested in this study showed little cellulase activity, but some species exhibited remarkably high xylanase and β-xylosidase activities, as determined by a filter paper assay. P. oxalicum showed the greatest xylanase activity on RiceP (158.70 U ml-1). On the other hand, P. brevicompactum produced the highest active β-xylosidase on BirchX (6.25 U ml-1). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a research in which researchers engineered escherichia coli strains capable of exporting three hemicellulases to the broth for the succinate production directly from beechwood xylan through consolidated bioprocessing. It is reported that, the researchers characterized and tested twelve variant OsmY fused endoxylanase-xylosidase combinations.

The article presents information on a study which investigates whether plant cell wall degrading enzymes (PCWDEs) of plant pathogens like fungal wheat pathogen Mycosphaerella graminicola have been positively selected by analyzing ratios of non-synonymous and synonymous nucleotide changes in the genes, involved in production of these enzymes. PCWDEs have the potential to trigger defense reactions in plants. In this study, five PCWDEs were analyzed and it was found that one (b-xylosidase) had been under strong positive selection and went through an accelerated rate of evolution, and PCWDEs played an important role in the emergence of a host-specialized pathogen.

β- d-Xylosidases (EC 3.2.1.37) are hemicellulases that cleave single xylose units from the nonreducing end of xylooligomers. In this study, the crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of a β- d-xylosidase from Geobacillus stearothermophilus T-6 (XynB3), a family 43 glycoside hydrolase, is described. XynB3 is a 535-amino-acid protein with a calculated molecular weight of 61 891 Da. Purified recombinant native and catalytic inactive mutant proteins were crystallized and cocrystallized with xylobiose in two different space groups, P21212 (unit-cell parameters a = 98.32, b = 99.36, c = 258.64 Å) and P41212 (or the enantiomorphic space group P43212; unit-cell parameters a = b = 140.15, c = 233.11 Å), depending on the detergent. Transferring crystals to cryoconditions required a very careful protocol. Orthorhombic crystals diffract to 2.5 Å and tetragonal crystals to 2.2 Å. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The levels of xylanolytic activities ((1→4)-β-endoxylanases, β-d-xylosidases and α-l-arabinofuranosidases) and the levels of water extractable arabinoxylans (WEAX) in hot water extracts of malts were compared during malting of four barley cultivars of differing quality. Endoxylanase activity increased from day 1 after steeping showing a slight lag compared with the development of (1→3,1→4)-β-glucanase activity. The levels of endoxylanase activity were different between the cultivars. For example, at day 4, which would be a suitable endpoint for malting of good quality cultivars, total endoxylanase activities of Static and Chariot malts were twice that of Hart and Optic. This variation in level of endoxylanase between cultivars did not correlate with the content of water extractable arabinoxylans in hot water extracts of the malts. However, those cultivars that accumulated most water extractable arabinoxylan had a different set of endoxylanase isoforms. This suggests that expression of specific endoxylanase isoforms may influence the extent of arabinoxylan solubilisation and/or degradation.The β-xylosidases and α-arabinosidases increased from low levels after steep to a plateau of activity at day 6 or 7 of germination. Total xylosidase was always higher than the arabinosidase activity. There were differences between cultivars but these were small compared with the variation in endoxylanase activity. (1→4)-β-d-Endomannanase activity was detected in all four cultivars at 2 days germination then rose to a maximum around 5 days. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The catalytic mechanism of the β-xylosidase purified from the culture filtrate of Trichoderma koningii G-39 was investigated. By NMR spectroscopy, the stereochemistry of the enzyme catalyzing the hydrolysis of 2,4-dinitrophenyl and p-nitrophenyl-β-D-xylosides was found unequivocally to involve retention of the anomeric configuration. Based on the kCRt values of a series of arylxylosides with leaving group p.Kas in the range of 4-10, an extended Bronsted plot was constructed with a slope (β1g) near zero. Enzymatic hydrolysis of aryl-β-D-xylosides in acetate buffer (pH 4.0) containing 3 or 5% methanol showed a constant product ratio (methylxyloside/xylose), indicating the presence of a common intermediate, probably the xylosyl-enzyme intermediate. In the presence of DTT, the kcat values of p-cyanophenyl-β-D-xylopyranoside and p-nitrophenyl-β-D-xylopyra-noside increased greatly. A two-step mechanism involving the formation and breakdown of the xylosyl-enzyme intermediate was therefore proposed. The rate-limiting step is the breakdown of the intermediate. The secondary deuterium kinetic isotope effect (kHkD) measured for 2,4-dinitrophenyl-β-D-xyloside was 1.02±0.01, suggesting that the transition state for breakdown of the xylosyl-enzyme intermediate is SN2-like [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]