NMR and ultraviolet absorption spectroscopy

The N-terminal cellulose-binding domain (CBDN1) from Cellulomonas fimi beta-1,4-glucanase CenC binds amorphous but not crystalline cellulose. The structural and thermodynamic bases of cellulose binding were studied through NMR and difference ultraviolet absorbance spectroscopy in conjunction with calorimetry. The CBDN1 cellulose-binding site spans about five glucosyl units. The cellooligosaccharides bind along a five-stranded beta-sheet that forms a concave face of the jelly-roll beta-sandwich structure of CBDN1.