The molecular mechanism of thermostable α-galactosidases AgaA and AgaB explained by x-ray crystallography and mutational studies.

The α-galactosidase AgaA from the thermophilic microorganism Geobacillus stearothermophilus has great industrial potential because it is fully active at 338 K against raffinose and can increase the yield of manufactured sucrose. AgaB has lower affinity for its natural substrates but is a powerful tool for the enzymatic synthesis of disaccharides by transglycosylation. These two enzymes have 97% identity and belong to the glycoside hydrolase (GH) family GH36 for which few structures are available. To understand the structural basis underlying the differences between these two enzymes, we determined the crystal structures of AgaA and AgaB by molecular replacement at 3.2- and 1.8 Å-resolution, respectively. We also solved a 2.8-Å structure of the AgaA(A355E) mutant, which has enzymatic properties similar to those of AgaB. We observe that residue 355 is located 20 Å away from the active site and that the A355E substitution causes structural rearrangements resulting in a significant displacement of the invariant Trp(336) at catalytic subsite -1. Hence, the active cleft of AgaA is narrowed in comparison with AgaB, and AgaA is more efficient than AgaB against its natural substrates. The structure of AgaA(A355E) complexed with 1-deoxygalactonojirimycin reveals an induced fit movement; there is a rupture of the electrostatic interaction between Glu(355) and Asn(335) and a return of Trp(336) to an optimal position for ligand stacking. The structures of two catalytic mutants of AgaA(A355E) complexed with raffinose and stachyose show that the binding interactions are stronger at subsite -1 to enable the binding of various α-galactosides.

Mutations inducing an active-site aperture in Rhizobium sp. sucrose isomerase confer hydrolytic activity.

Sucrose isomerase is an enzyme that catalyzes the production of sucrose isomers of high biotechnological and pharmaceutical interest. Owing to the complexity of the chemical synthesis of these isomers, isomaltulose and trehalulose, enzymatic conversion remains the preferred method for obtaining these products. Depending on the microbial source, the ratio of the sucrose-isomer products varies significantly. In studies aimed at understanding and explaining the underlying molecular mechanisms of these reactions, mutations obtained using a random-mutagenesis approach displayed a major hydrolytic activity. Two of these variants, R284C and F164L, of sucrose isomerase from Rhizobium sp. were therefore crystallized and their crystal structures were determined. The three-dimensional structures of these mutants allowed the identification of the molecular determinants that favour hydrolytic activity compared with transferase activity. Substantial conformational changes resulting in an active-site opening were observed, as were changes in the pattern of water molecules bordering the active-site region.

Gene cloning, protein characterization, and alteration of product selectivity for the trehalulose hydrolase and trehalulose synthase from "Pseudomonas mesoacidophila" MX-45.

The naturally occurring structural isomer of sucrose, trehalulose, is produced by sucrose isomerase (SI). Screening of chromosomal DNA from "Pseudomonas mesoacidophila" MX-45 with an SI-specific probe facilitated the cloning of two adjacent gene homologs, mutA and mutB. Both genes were expressed separately in Escherichia coli, and their enzyme products were characterized. MutA hydrolyzed the substrates trehalulose, isomaltulose, and sucrose into glucose and fructose. Due to its highest activity on trehalulose, MutA was referred to as trehalulase. mutB encodes the SI (trehalulose synthase) and catalyzes the isomerization of sucrose to mainly trehalulose. From Northern blot analysis it is apparent that the mutB gene is not transcribed as part of an operon and was transcriptionally upregulated when P. mesoacidophila MX-45 cells were grown in sucrose medium, whereas under investigated conditions no transcript for mutA was detected. Mutants of mutB were created by a random mutagenesis approach in order to alter the product specificity of MutB. Two types of mutants have emerged, one type that prefers the hydrolytic reaction on sucrose and another type that still acts as an SI but with a significant shift in the product from trehalulose to isomaltulose. The hydrolytic character of MutB R311C was demonstrated through its higher catalytic efficiency for glucose production over trehalulose production. MutB D442N favored the transfer reaction, with an isomer preference for isomaltulose.

Evolved beta-galactosidases from Geobacillus stearothermophilus with improved transgalactosylation yield for galacto-oligosaccharide production.

A mutagenesis approach was applied to the beta-galactosidase BgaB from Geobacillus stearothermophilus KVE39 in order to improve its enzymatic transglycosylation of lactose into oligosaccharides. A simple screening strategy, which was based on the reduction of the hydrolysis of a potential transglycosylation product (lactosucrose), provided mutant enzymes possessing improved synthetic properties for the autocondensation product from nitrophenyl-galactoside and galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) from lactose. The effects of the mutations on enzyme activity and kinetics were determined. An change of one arginine to lysine (R109K) increased the oligosaccharide yield compared to that for the wild-type BgaB. Subsequently, saturation mutagenesis at this position demonstrated that valine and tryptophan further increased the transglycosylation performance of BgaB. During the transglycosylation reaction with lactose of the evolved beta-galactosidases, a major trisaccharide was formed. Its structure was characterized as beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1-->3)-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1-->4)-D-glucopyranoside (3'-galactosyl-lactose). At the lactose concentration of 18% (wt/vol), this trisaccharide was obtained in yields of 11.5% (wt/wt) with GP21 (BgaB R109K), 21% with GP637.2 (BgaB R109V), and only 2% with the wild-type BgaB enzyme. GP643.3 (BgaB R109W) was shown to be the most efficient mutant, with a 3'-galactosyl-lactose production of 23%.

Overexpression, purification, crystallization and preliminary diffraction studies of the Protaminobacter rubrum sucrose isomerase SmuA.

Palatinose (isomaltulose, alpha-D-glucosylpyranosyl-1,6-D-fructofuranose), a nutritional and acariogenic reducing sugar, is industrially obtained from sucrose by using immobilized cells of Protaminobacter rubrum that produce the sucrose isomerase SmuA. The isomerization of sucrose catalyzed by this enzyme also results in the formation of trehalulose (alpha-D-glucosylpyranosyl-1,1-D-fructofuranose) in smaller amounts and glucose, fructose and eventually isomaltose as by-products, which lower the yield of the reaction and complicate the recovery of palatinose. The determination of the three-dimensional structure of SmuA will provide a basis for rational protein-engineering studies in order to optimize the industrial production of palatinose. A recombinant form of the 67.3 kDa SmuA enzyme has been crystallized in the native state by the vapour-diffusion method. Crystals belong to the orthorhombic space group P2(1)2(1)2(1), with unit-cell parameters a = 61.6, b = 81.4, c = 135.6 A, and diffract to 1.95 A resolution on a synchrotron-radiation source.

Expression, purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray crystallographic studies of the trehalulose synthase MutB from Pseudomonas mesoacidophila MX-45.

The trehalulose synthase (MutB) from Pseudomonas mesoacidophila MX-45, belonging to glycoside hydrolase family 13, catalyses the isomerization of sucrose to trehalulose (alpha-D-glucosylpyranosyl-1,1-D-fructofuranose) and isomaltulose (alpha-D-glucosylpyranosyl-1,6-D-fructofuranose) as main products and glucose and fructose in residual amounts from the hydrolytic reaction. To date, a three-dimensional structure of a sucrose isomerase that produces mainly trehalulose, as is the case for MutB, has been lacking. Crystallographic studies of this 64 kDa enzyme have therefore been initiated in order to contribute to the understanding of the molecular basis of sucrose decomposition, isomerization and of the selectivity of this enzyme that leads to the formation of different products. The MutB protein has been overexpressed, purified and crystallized using the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion method. Two different crystal forms have been obtained: one diffracts X-rays to 1.6 A resolution using synchrotron radiation and belongs to space group P1, with unit-cell parameters a = 63.8, b = 72.0, c = 82.2 A, alpha = 67.5, beta = 73.1, gamma = 70.8 degrees, while the other form diffracts to 1.8 A resolution using synchrotron radiation and belongs to space group P2(1), with unit-cell parameters a = 63.7, b = 85.9, c = 119.7 A, beta = 97.7 degrees. A molecular-replacement solution has been found using the structure of the isomaltulose synthase (PalI) from Klebsiella sp. LX3 as a search model.

Transglycosylations employing recombinant α- and ß-galactosidases and novel donor substrates.

Recombinant α- and ß-galactosidases could be prepared in larger amounts for chemoenzymatic syntheses of glycosylated oligosaccharides relevant in nutrition approaches. α-Galactosidase RafA from Escherichia coli, another thermophilic α-galactosidase AgaB from Geobacillus stearothermophilus KVE39, and also a thermophilic ß-galactosidase BglT from Thermus thermophilus TH 125 could be employed in α- and in ß-glycosylations, respectively. With model structures as well as sucrose, isomaltitol, and isomaltulose the stereo- and regiospecificities were studied. Further, a number of modified donor structures with structural variation and different leaving groups were synthesized, employed, and compared to classical donors for these transglycosylations.

Structural determinants of product specificity of sucrose isomerases.

The healthy sweetener isomaltulose is industrially produced from the conversion of sucrose by the sucrose isomerase SmuA from Protaminobacter rubrum. Crystal structures of SmuA in native and deoxynojirimycin complexed forms completed with modeling studies unravel the characteristics of the isomaltulose synthases catalytic pocket and their substrate binding mode. Comparison with the trehalulose synthase MutB highlights the role of Arg(298) and Arg(306) active site residues and surface charges in controlling product specificity of sucrose isomerases (isomaltulose versus trehalulose). The results provide a rationale for the specific design of optimized enzymes.

Trehalulose synthase native and carbohydrate complexed structures provide insights into sucrose isomerization.

Various diseases related to the overconsumption of sugar make a growing need for sugar substitutes. Because sucrose is an inexpensive and readily available d-glucose donor, the industrial potential for enzymatic synthesis of the sucrose isomers trehalulose and/or isomaltulose from sucrose is large. The product specificity of sucrose isomerases that catalyze this reaction depends essentially on the possibility for tautomerization of sucrose, which is required for trehalulose formation. For optimal use of the enzyme, targeting controlled synthesis of these functional isomers, it is necessary to minimize the side reactions. This requires an extensive analysis of substrate binding modes and of the specificity-determining sites in the structure. The 1.6-2.2-A resolution three-dimensional structures of native and mutant complexes of a trehalulose synthase from Pseudomonas mesoacidophila MX-45 mimic successive states of the enzyme reaction. Combined with mutagenesis studies they give for the first time thorough insights into substrate recognition and processing and reaction specificities of these enzymes. Among the important outcomes of this study is the revelation of an aromatic clamp defined by Phe(256) and Phe(280) playing an essential role in substrate recognition and in controlling the reaction specificity, which is further supported by mutagenesis studies. Furthermore, this study highlights essential residues for binding the glucosyl and fructosyl moieties. The introduction of subtle changes informed by comparative three-dimensional structural data observed within our study can lead to fundamental modifications in the mode of action of sucrose isomerases and hence provide a template for industrial catalysts.

Identification and functional analysis of the genes for naphthalenesulfonate catabolism by Sphingomonas xenophaga BN6.

Sphingomonas xenophaga BN6 degrades various (substituted) naphthalenesulfonates to the corresponding (substituted) salicylates. A gene cluster was identified on the plasmid pBN6 which coded for several enzymes participating in the degradative pathway for naphthalenesulfonates. A DNA fragment of 16 915 bp was sequenced which contained 17 ORFs. The genes encoding the 1,2-dihydroxynaphthalene dioxygenase, 2-hydroxychromene-2-carboxylate isomerase, and 2'-hydroxybenzalpyruvate aldolase of the naphthalenesulfonate pathway were identified on the DNA fragment and the encoded proteins heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli. Also, the genes encoding the ferredoxin and ferredoxin reductase of a multi-component, ring-hydroxylating naphthalenesulfonate dioxygenase were identified by insertional inactivation. The identified genes generally demonstrated the highest degree of homology to enzymes encoded by the phenanthrene-degrading organism Sphingomonas sp. P2, or the megaplasmid pNL1 of the naphthalene- and biphenyl-degrading strain Sphingomonas aromaticivorans F199. The genes of S. xenophaga BN6 participating in the degradation of naphthalenesulfonates also shared the same organization in three different transcriptional units as the genes involved in the degradation of naphthalene, biphenyl, and phenanthrene previously found in Sphingomonas sp. P2 and S. aromaticivorans F199. The genes were flanked in S. xenophaga BN6 by ORFs which specify proteins that show the highest homologies to proteins of mobile genetic elements.

Nitrilase from Pseudomonas fluorescens EBC191: cloning and heterologous expression of the gene and biochemical characterization of the recombinant enzyme.

The gene encoding an enantioselective arylacetonitrilase was identified on a 3.8 kb DNA fragment from the genomic DNA of Pseudomonas fluorescens EBC191. The gene was isolated, sequenced and cloned into the L-rhamnose-inducible expression vector pJOE2775. The nitrilase was produced in large quantities and purified as a histidine-tagged enzyme from crude extracts of L-rhamnose-induced cells of Escherichia coli JM109. The purified nitrilase was significantly stabilized during storage by the addition of 1 M ammonium sulfate. The temperature optimum (50 degrees C), pH optimum (pH 6.5), and specific activity of the recombinant nitrilase were similar to those of the native enzyme from P. fluorescens EBC191. The enzyme hydrolysed various phenylacetonitriles with different substituents in the 2-position and also heterocyclic and bicyclic arylacetonitriles to the corresponding carboxylic acids. The conversion of most arylacetonitriles was accompanied by the formation of different amounts of amides as by-products. The relative amounts of amides formed from different nitriles increased with an increasing negative inductive effect of the substituent in the 2-position. The acids and amides that were formed from chiral nitriles demonstrated in most cases opposite enantiomeric excesses. Thus mandelonitrile was converted by the nitrilase preferentially to R-mandelic acid and S-mandelic acid amide. The nitrilase gene is physically linked in the genome of P. fluorescens with genes encoding the degradative pathway for mandelic acid. This might suggest a natural function of the nitrilase in the degradation of mandelonitrile or similar naturally occurring hydroxynitriles.

Thermoadaptation of alpha-galactosidase AgaB1 in Thermus thermophilus.

The evolutionary potential of a thermostable alpha-galactosidase, with regard to improved catalytic activity at high temperatures, was investigated by employing an in vivo selection system based on thermophilic bacteria. For this purpose, hybrid alpha-galactosidase genes of agaA and agaB from Bacillus stearothermophilus KVE39, designated agaA1 and agaB1, were cloned into an autonomously replicating Thermus vector and introduced into Thermus thermophilus OF1053GD (DeltaagaT) by transformation. This selector strain is unable to metabolize melibiose (alpha-galactoside) without recombinant alpha-galactosidases, because the native alpha-galactosidase gene, agaT, has been deleted. Growth conditions were established under which the strain was able to utilize melibiose as a single carbohydrate source when harboring a plasmid-encoded agaA1 gene but unable when harboring a plasmid-encoded agaB1 gene. With incubation of the agaB1 plasmid-harboring strain under selective pressure at a restrictive temperature (67 degrees C) in a minimal melibiose medium, spontaneous mutants as well as N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine-induced mutants able to grow on the selective medium were isolated. The mutant alpha-galactosidase genes were amplified by PCR, cloned in Escherichia coli, and sequenced. A single-base substitution that replaces glutamic acid residue 355 with glycine or valine was found in the mutant agaB1 genes. The mutant enzymes displayed the optimum hydrolyzing activity at higher temperatures together with improved catalytic capacity compared to the wild-type enzyme and furthermore showed an enhanced thermal stability. To our knowledge, this is the first report of an in vivo evolution of glycoside-hydrolyzing enzyme and selection within a thermophilic host cell.

Cloning of a nitrilase gene from the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. strain PCC6803 and heterologous expression and characterization of the encoded protein.

The gene encoding a putative nitrilase was identified in the genome sequence of the photosynthetic cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. strain PCC6803. The gene was amplified by PCR and cloned into an expression vector. The encoded protein was heterologously expressed in the native form and as a His-tagged protein in Escherichia coli, and the recombinant strains were shown to convert benzonitrile to benzoate. The active enzyme was purified to homogeneity and shown by gel filtration to consist probably of 10 subunits. The purified nitrilase converted various aromatic and aliphatic nitriles. The highest enzyme activity was observed with fumarodinitrile, but also some rather hydrophobic aromatic (e.g., naphthalenecarbonitrile), heterocyclic (e.g., indole-3-acetonitrile), or long-chain aliphatic (di-)nitriles (e.g., octanoic acid dinitrile) were converted with higher specific activities than benzonitrile. From aliphatic dinitriles with less than six carbon atoms only 1 mol of ammonia was released per mol of dinitrile, and thus presumably the corresponding cyanocarboxylic acids formed. The purified enzyme was active in the presence of a wide range of organic solvents and the turnover rates of dodecanoic acid nitrile and naphthalenecarbonitrile were increased in the presence of water-soluble and water-immiscible organic solvents.

Identification of quinoide redox mediators that are formed during the degradation of naphthalene-2-sulfonate by Sphingomonas xenophaga BN6.

During aerobic degradation of naphthalene-2-sulfonate (2NS), Sphingomonas xenophaga strain BN6 produces redox mediators which significantly increase the ability of the strain to reduce azo dyes under anaerobic conditions. It was previously suggested that 1,2-dihydroxynaphthalene (1,2-DHN), which is an intermediate in the degradative pathway of 2NS, is the precursor of these redox mediators. In order to analyze the importance of the formation of 1,2-DHN, the dihydroxynaphthalene dioxygenase gene (nsaC) was disrupted by gene replacement. The resulting strain, strain AKE1, did not degrade 2NS to salicylate. After aerobic preincubation with 2NS, strain AKE1 exhibited much higher reduction capacities for azo dyes under anaerobic conditions than the wild-type strain exhibited. Several compounds were present in the culture supernatants which enhanced the ability of S. xenophaga BN6 to reduce azo dyes under anaerobic conditions. Two major redox mediators were purified from the culture supernatants, and they were identified by high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and comparison with chemically synthesized standards as 4-amino-1,2-naphthoquinone and 4-ethanolamino-1,2-naphthoquinone.