Mapping secondary substrate-binding sites on the GH11 xylanase from Bacillus subtilis.

Xylanases are of significant interest for biomass conversion technologies. Here, we investigated the allosteric regulation of xylan hydrolysis by the Bacillus subtilis GH11 endoxylanase. Molecular dynamics simulations (MDS) in the presence of xylobiose identified binding to the active site and two potential secondary binding sites (SBS) around surface residues Asn54 and Asn151. Arabinoxylan titration experiments with single cysteine mutants N54C and N151C labeled with the thiol-reactive fluorophore acrylodan or the ESR spin-label MTSSL validated the MDS results. Ligand binding at the SBS around Asn54 confirms previous reports, and analysis of the second SBS around N151C discovered in the present study includes residues Val98/Ala192/Ser155/His156. Understanding the regulation of xylanases contributes to efforts for industrial decarbonization and to establishing a sustainable energy matrix.

Exploring structural aspects of the human Golgi matrix protein GRASP55 in solution.

In mammals, the Golgi apparatus is the central hub for intracellular trafficking, sorting and post-translational modifications of proteins and lipids. Golgi reassembly and stacking proteins (GRASPs) are somehow involved in Golgi stacking, which is relevant for its proper function, and also in unconventional protein secretion. However, the structural details on how GRASPs accomplish those tasks are still elusive. Here, we have explored the biochemical and biophysical properties of human full-length GRASP55 in solution. Sequence-based analyses and circular dichroism spectroscopy suggest that GRASP55 presents multiple intrinsically disordered sites, although keeping considerable contents of regular secondary structure. Size exclusion chromatography and multiple-angle light scattering show that GRASP55 are monomers in solution. Urea denaturation of GRASP55 suggests the transition to the unfolded state is a cooperative process. Differential scanning calorimetry analysis displays two endothermic transitions for GRASP55, indicating the existence of an intermediate state prior to unfolding. Thioflavin T fluorescence suggests GRASP55 intermediate can be aggregates/fibrils. Transmission electron microscopy and fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy prove GRASP55 forms large amorphous aggregates but not amyloid-like fibrils in the intermediate state. These results could be helpful in discussing the proper function of human GRASP55 in the Golgi organization as well as unconventional secretion of proteins.