ßγ-Crystallination Endows a Novel Bacterial Glycoside Hydrolase 64 with Ca2+-Dependent Activity Modulation.

The prokaryotic ßγ-crystallins are a large group of uncharacterized domains with Ca2+-binding motifs. We have observed that a vast number of these domains are found appended to other domains, in particular, the carbohydrate-active enzyme (CAZy) domains. To elucidate the functional significance of these prospective Ca2+ sensors in bacteria and this widespread domain association, we have studied one typical example from Clostridium beijerinckii, a bacterium known for its ability to produce acetone, butanol, and ethanol through fermentation of several carbohydrates. This novel glycoside hydrolase of family 64 (GH64), which we named glucanallin, is composed of a ßγ-crystallin domain, a GH64 domain, and a carbohydrate-binding module 56 (CBM56). The substrates of GH64, ß-1,3-glucans, are the targets for industrial biofuel production due to their plenitude. We have examined the Ca2+-binding properties of this protein, assayed its enzymatic activity, and analyzed the structural features of the ß-1,3-glucanase domain through its high-resolution crystal structure. The reaction products resulting from the enzyme reaction of glucanallin reinforce the mixed nature of GH64 enzymes, in contrast to the prevailing notion of them being an exotype. Upon disabling Ca2+ binding and comparing different domain combinations, we demonstrate that the ßγ-crystallin domain in glucanallin acts as a Ca2+ sensor and enhances the glycolytic activity of glucanallin through Ca2+ binding. We also compare the structural peculiarities of this new member of the GH64 family to two previously studied members.IMPORTANCE We have biochemically and structurally characterized a novel glucanase from the less studied GH64 family in a bacterium significant for fermentation of carbohydrates into biofuels. This enzyme displays a peculiar property of being distally modulated by Ca2+ via assistance from a neighboring ßγ-crystallin domain, likely through changes in the domain interface. In addition, this enzyme is found to be optimized for functioning in an acidic environment, which is in line with the possibility of its involvement in biofuel production. Multiple occurrences of a similar domain architecture suggest that such a "ßγ-crystallination"-mediated Ca2+ sensitivity may be widespread among bacterial proteins.

Interface interactions between ßγ-crystallin domain and Ig-like domain render Ca2+ -binding site inoperative in abundant perithecial protein of Neurospora crassa.

We describe a set of proteins in which a ßγ-crystallin domain pairs with an Ig-like domain, and which are confined to microbes, like bacteria, slime molds and fungi. DdCAD-1 (Ca2+ -dependent cell adhesion molecule-1) and abundant perithecial protein (APP) represent this class of molecules. Using the crystal structure of APP-NTD (N-terminal domain of APP), we describe its mode of Ca2+ binding and provide a generalized theme for correct identification of the Ca2+ -binding site within this class of molecules. As a common feature, one of the two Ca2+ -binding sites is non-functional in the ßγ-crystallin domains of these proteins. While APP-NTD binds Ca2+ with a micromolar affinity which is comparable to DdCAD-1, APP surprisingly does not bind Ca2+ . Crystal structures of APP and Ca2+ -bound APP-NTD reveal that the interface interactions in APP render its Ca2+ -binding site inoperative. Thus, heterodomain association provides a novel mode of Ca2+ -binding regulation in APP. Breaking the interface interactions (mutating Asp30Ala, Leu132Ala and Ile135Ala) or separation from the Ig-like domain removes the constraints upon the required conformational transition and enables the ßγ-crystallin domain to bind Ca2+ . In mechanistic detail, our work demonstrates an interdomain interface adapted to distinct functional niches in APP and its homolog DdCAD-1.