A novel promising Trichoderma harzianum strain for the production of a cellulolytic complex using sugarcane bagasse in natura.

Brazil is a major producer of agro-industrial residues, such as sugarcane bagasse, which could be used as raw material for microbial production of cellulases as an important strategy for the development of sustainable processes of second generation ethanol production. For this purpose, this work aimed at screening for glycosyl hydrolase activities of fungal strains isolated from the Brazilian Cerrado. Among 13 isolates, a Trichoderma harzianum strain (L04) was identified as a promising candidate for cellulase production when cultured on in natura sugarcane bagasse. Strain L04 revealed a well-balanced cellulolytic complex, presenting fast kinetic production of endoglucanases, exoglucanases and ß-glucosidases, achieving 4,022, U.L(-1) (72 h), 1,228 U.L(-1) (120 h) and 1,968 U.L(-1) (48 h) as the highest activities, respectively. About 60% glucose yields were obtained from sugarcane bagasse after 18 hours hydrolysis. This new strain represents a potential candidate for on-site enzyme production using sugarcane bagasse as carbon source.

Expression of a glucose-tolerant beta-glucosidase from Humicola grisea var. thermoidea in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

A beta-glucosidase gene (bgl4) from Humicola grisea var thermoidea was successfully expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The recombinant protein (BGL4(Sc)) was initially detected associated with yeast cells and later in the culture medium. BGL4(Sc) showed optimal pH and temperature of 6.0 and 40 degrees C, respectively, and an apparent molecular mass of 57 kDa. The enzyme showed activity against cellobiose and synthetic substrates, and was inhibited more than 80% by Fe2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, and Al3+. Using p-nitrophenyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside (pNPG) as substrate, BGL4(Sc) presented a V(max) of 6.72 micromol min(-1) mg total protein(-1) and a K (m) of 0.16 mM under optimal conditions. Most important, BGL4(Sc) is resistant to inhibition by glucose and the calculated K (i) value for this sugar is 70 mM. This feature prompts BLG4(Sc) as an ideal enzyme to be used in the saccharification process of lignocellulosic materials for ethanol production.

General metabolism of the dimorphic and pathogenic fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis.

Annotation of the transcriptome of the dimorphic fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis has set the grounds for a global understanding of its metabolism in both mycelium and yeast forms. This fungus is able to use the main carbohydrate sources, including starch, and it can store reduced carbons in the form of glycogen and trehalose; these provide energy reserves that are relevant for metabolic adaptation, protection against stress and infectivity mechanisms. The glyoxylate cycle, which is also involved in pathogenicity, is present in this fungus. Classical pathways of lipid biosynthesis and degradation, including those of ketone body and sterol production, are well represented in the database of P. brasiliensis. It is able to synthesize de novo all nucleotides and amino acids, with the sole exception of asparagine, which was confirmed by the fungus growth in minimal medium. Sulfur metabolism, as well as the accessory synthetic pathways of vitamins and co-factors, are likely to exist in this fungus.

Hydrolytic enzymes in Paracoccidioides brasiliensis--ecological aspects.

Paracoccidioides brasiliensis is a thermally dimorphic fungus that causes paracoccidioidomycosis. The yeast form of this pathogen is found in the animal host whereas the mycelial form is recovered from living and non-living organic material. The sole carbon source available in these habitats is represented by polysaccharides from the plant cell wall. Hydrolytic enzymes are necessary to convert these polymers into simple sugars for fungal metabolism. We report on the presence of ortholog genes of hydrolytic enzymes identified in the P. brasiliensis transcriptome and on hydrolytic activities in supernatants of induced P. brasiliensis cultures of mycelium and yeast cells. Enzymatic assays have shown cellulase and xylanase activities, both being higher in mycelium than in the yeast form. Amylase and chitinase activities were detected only in mycelium. Data so far reinforce the idea that mycelial P. brasiliensis is a saprobe.