Enzyme systems involved in glucosinolate metabolism in Companilactobacillus farciminis KB1089.

Cruciferous vegetables are rich sources of glucosinolates (GSLs). GSLs are degraded into isothiocyanates, which are potent anticarcinogens, by human gut bacteria. However, the mechanisms and enzymes involved in gut bacteria-mediated GSL metabolism are currently unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the enzymes involved in GSL metabolism in lactic acid bacteria, a type of gut bacteria. Companilactobacillus farciminis KB1089 was selected as a lactic acid bacteria strain model that metabolizes sinigrin, which is a GSL, into allylisothiocyanate. The sinigrin-metabolizing activity of this strain is induced under glucose-absent and sinigrin-present conditions. A quantitative comparative proteomic analysis was conducted and a total of 20 proteins that were specifically expressed in the induced cells were identified. Three candidate proteins, ß-glucoside-specific IIB, IIC, IIA phosphotransferase system (PTS) components (CfPttS), 6-phospho-ß-glucosidase (CfPbgS) and a hypothetical protein (CfNukS), were suspected to be involved in sinigrin-metabolism and were thus investigated further. We hypothesize a pathway for sinigrin degradation, wherein sinigrin is taken up and phosphorylated by CfPttS, and subsequently, the phosphorylated entity is degraded by CfPbgS. As expression of both pttS and pbgS genes clearly gave Escherichia coli host strain sinigrin converting activity, these genes were suggested to be responsible for sinigrin degradation. Furthermore, heterologous expression analysis using Lactococcus lactis suggested that CfPttS was important for sinigrin degradation and CfPbgS degraded phosphorylated sinigrin.

Comparative Secretome and Functional Analyses Reveal Glycoside Hydrolase Family 30 and Cysteine Peptidase as Virulence Determinants in the Pinewood Nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus.

Pine wilt disease, caused by the pinewood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, is one of the world's most serious tree diseases. Although the B. xylophilus whole-genome sequence and comprehensive secretome profile have been determined over the past decade, it remains unclear what molecules are critical in pine wilt disease and govern B. xylophilus virulence in host pine trees. Here, a comparative secretome analysis among four isolates of B. xylophilus with distinct virulence levels was performed to identify virulence determinants. The four candidate virulence determinants of B. xylophilus highly secreted in virulent isolates included lipase (Bx-lip1), glycoside hydrolase family 30 (Bx-GH30), and two C1A family cysteine peptidases (Bx-CAT1 and Bx-CAT2). To validate the quantitative differences in the four potential virulence determinants among virulence groups at the protein level, we used real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis to investigate these determinants at the transcript level at three time points: pre-inoculation, 3 days after inoculation (dai), and 7 dai into pine seedlings. The transcript levels of Bx-CAT1, Bx-CAT2, and Bx-GH30 were significantly higher in virulent isolates than in avirulent isolates at pre-inoculation and 3 dai. A subsequent leaf-disk assay based on transient overexpression in Nicotiana benthamiana revealed that the GH30 candidate virulent factor caused cell death in the plant. Furthermore, we demonstrated that Bx-CAT2 was involved in nutrient uptake for fungal feeding via soaking-mediated RNA interference. These findings indicate that the secreted proteins Bx-GH30 and Bx-CAT2 contribute to B. xylophilus virulence in host pine trees and may be involved in pine wilt disease.

Molecular characterization of a prolyl endopeptidase from a feather-degrading thermophile Meiothermus ruber H328.

Prolyl endopeptidase from an aerobic and Gram-negative thermophile Meiothermus ruber H328 (MrPEP) was purified in native and recombinant forms, but both preparations had comparable characteristics. Production of the native MrPEP was increased 10-fold by adding intact chicken feathers. The gene for MrPEP (mrH_2860) was cloned from the genome of strain H328 and found to have no signal sequence at the N-terminus. MrPEP is composed of two major domains: the ß-propeller domain and the peptidase domain with a typical active site motif and catalytic triad. Based on extensive investigations with different types of peptide substrates and FRETS-25Xaa libraries, MrPEP showed strict preferences for Pro residue at the P1 position but broader preferences at the P2 and P3 positions in substrate specificity with stronger affinity for residues at the P3 position of substrate peptides that are longer than four residues in length. In conclusion, the molecular characterization of MrPEP resembles its animal counterparts more closely than bacterial counterparts in function and structure.

Metabolite profiling of the fermentation process of "yamahai-ginjo-shikomi" Japanese sake.

Sake is a traditional Japanese alcoholic beverage prepared by multiple parallel fermentation of rice. The fermentation process of "yamahai-ginjo-shikomi" sake is mainly performed by three microbes, Aspergillus oryzae, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Lactobacilli; the levels of various metabolites fluctuate during the fermentation of sake. For evaluation of the fermentation process, we monitored the concentration of moderate-sized molecules (m/z: 200-1000) dynamically changed during the fermentation process of "yamahai-ginjo-shikomi" Japanese sake. This analysis revealed that six compounds were the main factors with characteristic differences in the fermentation process. Among the six compounds, four were leucine- or isoleucine-containing peptides and the remaining two were predicted to be small molecules. Quantification of these compounds revealed that their quantities changed during the month of fermentation process. Our metabolomic approach revealed the dynamic changes observed in moderate-sized molecules during the fermentation process of sake, and the factors found in this analysis will be candidate molecules that indicate the progress of "yamahai-ginjo-shikomi" sake fermentation.

Characteristic strategy of assimilation of various saccharides by Clostridium cellulovorans.

Clostridium cellulovorans can effectively assimilate not only cellulose but also hemicellulose by producing cellulosomal and non-cellulosomal enzymes. However, little is known about how C. cellulovorans assimilates various saccharides in media containing polysaccharides and oligosaccharides. In this research, we investigated the property of saccharide incorporation and assimilation by C. cellulovorans. Faster growth in media containing xylan and cellulose was achieved by switching polysaccharides, in which xylan was first assimilated, followed by cellulose. Furthermore, the presence of polysaccharides that can be easily degraded might increase the assimilation rate of lignocellulose by promoting growth. These properties of C. cellulovorans could be suitable for the effective utilization of lignocellulosic biomass.

A comparative proteomics study of a synovial cell line stimulated with TNF-α.

To elucidate the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), we used proteomic analysis to determine the protein profile in a synovial cell line, MH7A, established from patients with RA. Proteins were extracted from MH7A cells that were or were not stimulated with tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and then analyzed on a liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry system equipped with a unique long monolithic silica capillary. On the basis of the results of this proteomic analysis, we identified 2650 proteins from untreated MH7A cells and 2688 proteins from MH7A cells stimulated with TNF-α. Next, we selected 269 differentially produced proteins that were detected only under TNF-α stimulation, and classified these proteins by performing gene ontology analysis by using DAVID as a functional annotation tool. In TNF-α-stimulated MH7A cells, we observed substantial production of plasminogen-activator inhibitor 2 and apoptosis-regulating proteins such as BH3-interacting domain death agonist, autophagy protein 5, apolipoprotein E, and caspase-3. These results indicate that the upregulation of plasminogen-activator inhibitor 2 and apoptosis-regulating proteins in synovial cells in response to TNF-α stimulation might represent a predominant factor that contributes to the pathogenesis of RA.

Engineered yeast whole-cell biocatalyst for direct degradation of alginate from macroalgae and production of non-commercialized useful monosaccharide from alginate.

Alginate is a major component of brown macroalgae. In macroalgae, an endolytic alginate lyase first degrades alginate into oligosaccharides. These oligosaccharides are further broken down into monosaccharides by an exolytic alginate lyase. In this study, genes encoding various alginate lyases derived from alginate-assimilating marine bacterium Saccharophagus degradans were isolated, and their enzymes were displayed using the yeast cell surface display system. Alg7A-, Alg7D-, and Alg18J-displaying yeasts showed endolytic alginate lyase activity. On the other hand, Alg7K-displaying yeast showed exolytic alginate lyase activity. Alg7A, Alg7D, Alg7K, and Alg18J, when displayed on yeast cell surface, demonstrated both polyguluronate lyase and polymannuronate lyase activities. Additionally, polyguluronic acid could be much easily degraded by Alg7A, Alg7K, and Alg7D than polymannuronic acid. In contrast, polymannuronic acid could be much easily degraded by Alg18J than polyguluronic acid. We further constructed yeasts co-displaying endolytic and exolytic alginate lyases. Degradation efficiency by the co-displaying yeasts were significantly higher than single alginate lyase-displaying yeasts. Alg7A/Alg7K co-displaying yeast had maximum alginate degrading activity, with production of 1.98 g/L of reducing sugars in a 60-min reaction. This system developed, along with our findings, will contribute to the efficient utilization and production of useful and non-commercialized monosaccharides from alginate by Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Putative Alginate Assimilation Process of the Marine Bacterium Saccharophagus degradans 2-40 Based on Quantitative Proteomic Analysis.

Quantitative proteomic analysis was conducted to assess the assimilation processes of Saccharophagus degradans cultured with glucose, pectin, and alginate as carbon sources. A liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry approach was used, employing our unique, long monolithic silica capillary column. In an attempt to select candidate proteins that correlated to alginate assimilation, the production of 23 alginate-specific proteins was identified by statistical analyses of the quantitative proteomic data. Based on the analysis, we propose that S. degradans has an alginate-specific gene cluster for efficient alginate utilization. The alginate-specific proteins of S. degradans were comprised of alginate lyases, enzymes related to carbohydrate metabolism, membrane transporters, and transcription factors. Among them, the short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase Sde_3281 annotated in the alginate-specific cluster showed 4-deoxy-L-erythro-5-hexoseulose uronic acid reductase (DehR) activity. Furthermore, we found two different genes (Sde_3280 and Sde_0939) encoding 2-keto-3-deoxy-D-gluconic acid (KDG) kinases (KdgK) that metabolize the KDG derived from alginate and pectin in S. degradans. S. degradans used Sde_3280 to phosphorylate the KDG derived from alginate and Sde_0939 to phosphorylate the KDG derived from pectin. The distinct selection of KdgKs provides an important clue toward the elucidation of how S. degradans recognizes and processes polysaccharides.

Description of the interaction between Candida albicans and macrophages by mixed and quantitative proteome analysis without isolation.

Candida albicans is an opportunistic pathogen that causes fatal diseases in immunocompromised hosts. Host resistance against C. albicans relies on ingestion of the pathogen by macrophages. Analysis of the escaping behavior of C. albicans from macrophages is required to understand the onset of systemic candidiasis. In this study, native interactions of C. albicans with macrophages were investigated by proteome analysis using high efficiency of long monolithic silica capillary column. Using this system, we developed a method of "mixed and quantitative proteome analysis" in which C. albicans and macrophages were simultaneously analyzed by nanoLC-MS/MS without the need to isolate the two individual living cells. Two hundred twenty-seven proteins from C. albicans and five proteins from macrophages were identified as candidate interaction-specific molecules. C. albicans seemed to produce glucose through a ß-oxidation pathway, a glyoxylate cycle, and gluconeogenesis for escape from macrophages. Up-regulation of stress-related and candidate pathogenic proteins in C. albicans indicated how C. albicans endured the harsh environment inside the macrophages. Down-regulation of apoptosis-associated protein NOA1- and chaperone HSPA1A-syntheses in macrophage indicated that C. albicans was able to escape from macrophages in part by suppressing the production of these macrophage proteins.

Elucidation of the recognition mechanisms for hemicellulose and pectin in Clostridium cellulovorans using intracellular quantitative proteome analysis.

Clostridium cellulovorans is an anaerobic, cellulolytic bacterium, capable of effectively degrading and metabolizing various types of substrates, including cellulose, hemicellulose (xylan and galactomannan), and pectin. Among Clostridia, this ability to degrade and metabolize a wide range of hemicellulose and pectin substrates is a unique feature; however, the mechanisms are currently unknown. To clarify the mechanisms of hemicelluloses and pectin recognition and metabolism, we carried out a quantitative proteome analysis of C. cellulovorans cultured with these substrates. C. cellulovorans was cultured in the medium of glucose (control), xylan, galactomannan (Locus bean gum, LBG), or pectin for 36 h. Xylan and galactomannan were used to search for the common recognition mechanisms of hemicellulose, and pectin was used to search for unique recognition systems in C. cellulovorans. Using an isobaric tag method and liquid chromatograph/mass spectrometer equipped with a long monolithic silica capillary column, we identified 734 intracellular proteins from all substrates. We performed KEGG analyses and cluster analyses of the resulting proteins. In the KEGG analyses, we found common degradation mechanisms for hemicellulose and pectin. In the cluster analysis corresponding to the genome analysis, we detected substrate-specific clusters that include genes involved in substrate recognition, substrate degradation, and metabolism. Combining the results of the KEGG analyses and cluster analyses, we propose the mechanisms involved in the recognition and metabolism of hemicellulose and pectin in C. cellulovorans.

Identification of the Binding Position of Amilorides in the Quinone Binding Pocket of Mitochondrial Complex I.

We previously demonstrated that amilorides bind to the quinone binding pocket of bovine mitochondrial complex I, not to the hitherto suspected Na⁺/H⁺ antiporter-like subunits (ND2, ND4, and ND5) [Murai, M., et al. (2015) Biochemistry 54, 2739-2746]. To characterize the binding position of amilorides within the pocket in more detail, we conducted specific chemical labeling [alkynylation (-C≡CH)] of complex I via ligand-directed tosyl (LDT) chemistry using a newly synthesized amide-type amiloride AAT as a LDT chemistry reagent. The inhibitory potency of AAT, in terms of its IC50 value, was markedly higher (∼1000-fold) than that of prototypical guanidine-type amilorides such as commercially available EIPA and benzamil. Detailed proteomic analyses in combination with click chemistry revealed that the chemical labeling occurred at Asp160 of the 49 kDa subunit (49 kDa Asp160). This labeling was significantly suppressed in the presence of an excess amount of other amilorides or ordinary inhibitors such as quinazoline and acetogenin. Taking into consideration the fact that 49 kDa Asp160 was also specifically labeled by LDT chemistry reagents derived from acetogenin [Masuya, T., et al. (2014) Biochemistry 53, 2307-2317, 7816-7823], we found this aspartic acid to elicit very strong nucleophilicity in the local protein environment. The structural features of the quinone binding pocket in bovine complex I are discussed on the basis of this finding.

Quantitative time-course proteome analysis of Mesorhizobium loti during nodule maturation.

Rhizobia are nitrogen-fixing bacteria that establish a symbiotic relationship with leguminous plants. To understand the mechanism by which rhizobia alter their metabolism to establish successful nitrogen-fixing symbiotic relationship with hosts, Lotus japonicus were inoculated with Mesorhizobium loti. Bacteroids were isolated from nodules harvested at 2weeks (the early stage of nodule development), and at 3 and 4weeks (the intermediate stage of nodule development) post-inoculation. Using a quantitative time-course proteome analysis, we quantified the variations in the production of 537 proteins in M. loti bacteroids during the course of nodule maturation. The results revealed significant changes in the carbon and amino acid metabolisms by M. loti upon differentiating into bacteroids. Furthermore, our findings suggested that M. loti enters a nitrogen-deficient condition during the early stages of nodule development, and then a nitrogen-rich condition during the intermediate stages of nodule development. In addition, our data indicated that M. loti assimilated ammonia during the intermediate stages of nodule development. Our results provide new insights into the course of physiological transitions undergone by M. loti during nodule maturation.

Exoproteome analysis of Clostridium cellulovorans in natural soft-biomass degradation.

Clostridium cellulovorans is an anaerobic, cellulolytic bacterium, capable of effectively degrading various types of soft biomass. Its excellent capacity for degradation results from optimization of the composition of the protein complex (cellulosome) and production of non-cellulosomal proteins according to the type of substrates. In this study, we performed a quantitative proteome analysis to determine changes in the extracellular proteins produced by C. cellulovorans for degradation of several types of natural soft biomass. C. cellulovorans was cultured in media containing bagasse, corn germ, rice straw (natural soft biomass), or cellobiose (control). Using an isobaric tag method and a liquid chromatograph equipped with a long monolithic silica capillary column/mass spectrometer, we identified 372 proteins in the culture supernatant. Of these, we focused on 77 saccharification-related proteins of both cellulosomal and non-cellulosomal origins. Statistical analysis showed that 18 of the proteins were specifically produced during degradation of types of natural soft biomass. Interestingly, the protein Clocel_3197 was found and commonly involved in the degradation of every natural soft biomass studied. This protein may perform functions, in addition to its known metabolic functions, that contribute to effective degradation of natural soft biomass.

Enhanced butanol production by eukaryotic Saccharomyces cerevisiae engineered to contain an improved pathway.

Compared with ethanol, butanol has more advantageous physical properties as a fuel, and biobutanol is thus considered a promising biofuel material. Biobutanol has often been produced by Clostridium species; however, because they are strictly anaerobic microorganisms, these species are challenging to work with. We attempted to introduce the butanol production pathway into yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which is a well-known microorganism that is tolerant to organic solvents. 1-Butanol was found to be produced at very low levels when the butanol production pathway of Clostridium acetobutylicum was simply introduced into S. cerevisiae. The elimination of glycerol production pathway in the yeast contributed to the enhancement of 1-butanol production. In addition, by the use of trans-enoyl-CoA reductase in the engineered pathway, 1-butanol production was markedly enhanced to yield 14.1 mg/L after 48 h of cultivation.

Pinpoint chemical modification of Asp160 in the 49 kDa subunit of bovine mitochondrial complex I via a combination of ligand-directed tosyl chemistry and click chemistry.

Through a ligand-directed tosyl (LDT) chemistry strategy using the synthetic acetogenin ligand AL1, we succeeded in the pinpoint alkynylation (-C≡CH) of Asp160 in the 49 kDa subunit of bovine complex I, which may be located in the inner part of the putative quinone binding cavity of the enzyme [Masuya, T., et al. (2014) Biochemistry, 53, 2307-2317]. This study provided a promising technique for diverse chemical modifications of complex I. To further improve this technique for its adaptation to intact complex I, we here synthesized the new acetogenin ligand AL2, possessing an azido (-N3) group in place of the terminal alkyne in AL1, and attempted the pinpoint azidation of complex I in bovine heart submitochondrial particles. Careful proteomic analyses revealed that, just as in the case of AL1, azidation occurred at 49 kDa Asp160 with a reaction yield of ∼50%, verifying the high site specificity of our LDT chemistry using acetogenin ligands. This finding prompted us to speculate that a reactivity of the azido group incorporated into Asp160 (Asp160-N3) against externally added chemicals can be employed to characterize the structural features of the quinone/inhibitor binding cavity. Consequently, we used a ring-strained cycloalkyne possessing a rhodamine fluorophore (TAMRA-DIBO), which can covalently attach to an azido group via so-called click chemistry without Cu¹âº catalysis, as the reaction partner of Asp160-N3. We found that bulky TAMRA-DIBO is capable of reacting directly with Asp160-N3 in intact complex I. Unexpectedly, the presence of an excess amount of short-chain ubiquinones as well as some strong inhibitors (e.g., quinazoline and fenpyroximate) did not interfere with the reaction between TAMRA-DIBO and Asp160-N3; nevertheless, bullatacin, a member of the natural acetogenins, markedly interfered with this reaction. Taking the marked bulkiness of TAMRA-DIBO into consideration, it appears to be difficult to reconcile these results with the proposal that only a narrow entry point accessing to the quinone/inhibitor binding cavity exists in complex I [Baradaran, R., et al. (2013) Nature, 494, 443-448]; rather, they suggest that there may be another access path for TAMRA-DIBO to the cavity.

Evaluation of chitosan-binding amino acid residues of chitosanase from Paenibacillus fukuinensis.

Chitosan oligosaccharides longer than a hexamer have higher bioactivity than polymer or shorter oligosaccharides, such as the monomer or dimer. In our previous work, we generated Paenibacillus fukuinensis chitosanase-displaying yeast using yeast cell surface displaying system and demonstrated the catalytic base. Here we investigated the specific function of putative four amino acid residues Trp159, Trp228, Tyr311, and Phe406 engaged in substrate binding. Using this system, we generated chitosanase mutants in which the four amino acid residues were substituted with Ala and the chitosanase activity assay and HPLC analysis were performed. Based on these results, we demonstrated that Trp159 and Phe406 were critical for hydrolyzing both polymer and oligosaccharide, and Trp228 and Tyr311 were especially important for binding to oligosaccharide, such as the chitosan-hexamer, not to the chitosan polymer. From the results, we suggested the possibility of the effective strategy for designing useful mutants that produce chitosan oligosaccharides holding higher bioactivity.

Insect-induced daidzein, formononetin and their conjugates in soybean leaves.

In response to attack by bacterial pathogens, soybean (Gylcine max) leaves accumulate isoflavone aglucones, isoflavone glucosides, and glyceollins. In contrast to pathogens, the dynamics of related insect-inducible metabolites in soybean leaves remain poorly understood. In this study, we analyzed the biochemical responses of soybean leaves to Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) herbivory and also S. litura gut contents, which contain oral secretion elicitors. Following S. litura herbivory, soybean leaves displayed an induced accumulation of the flavone and isoflavone aglycones 4',7-dihyroxyflavone, daidzein, and formononetin, and also the isoflavone glucoside daidzin. Interestingly, foliar application of S. litura oral secretions also elicited the accumulation of isoflavone aglycones (daidzein and formononetin), isoflavone 7-O-glucosides (daidzin, ononin), and isoflavone 7-O-(6'-O-malonyl-ß-glucosides) (malonyldaidzin, malonylononin). Consistent with the up-regulation of the isoflavonoid biosynthetic pathway, folair phenylalanine levels also increased following oral secretion treatment. To establish that these metabolitic changes were the result of de novo biosynthesis, we demonstrated that labeled (13C9) phenylalanine was incorporated into the isoflavone aglucones. These results are consistent with the presence of soybean defense elicitors in S. litura oral secretions. We demonstrate that isoflavone aglycones and isoflavone conjugates are induced in soybean leaves, not only by pathogens as previously demonstrated, but also by foliar insect herbivory.

Site-specific chemical labeling of mitochondrial respiratory complex I through ligand-directed tosylate chemistry.

The site-specific chemical modification of NADH-quinone oxidoreductase (complex I) by various functional probes such as fluorophores and microbeads, without affecting the enzyme activity, may allow single-molecule analyses of putative dynamic conformational changes in the enzyme. In an attempt to address this challenge, we performed site-specific alkynylation of complex I in bovine heart submitochondrial particles by means of a ligand-directed tosylate (LDT) chemistry strategy with synthetic acetogenin ligand 1, which has an alkynylated tosylate in the tail moiety, as a high-affinity ligand against the enzyme. The terminal alkyne was chosen as the tag to be incorporated into the enzyme because this functional group can serve as a "footing" for subsequent diverse chemical modifications via so-called click chemistry (i.e., azide-alkyne [3+2] cycloaddition in water). To identify the position alkynylated by ligand 1, fluorescent tetramethylrhodamine was covalently attached to the incorporated alkyne by click chemistry after the solubilization of complex I. Detailed proteomic analyses revealed that alkynylation occurred at Asp160 in the 49 kDa subunit, which may be located in the inner part of the putative quinone-binding cavity. The alkynylation was completely suppressed in the presence of an excess of other inhibitors such as bullatacin and quinazoline. While the reaction yield of the alkynylation step via LDT chemistry was estimated to be ~50%, the alkynylation unfortunately resulted in the almost complete inhibition of enzyme activity. Nevertheless, the results of this study demonstrate that complex I can be site-specifically alkynylated through LDT chemistry, providing a clue about the diverse chemical modifications of the enzyme in combination with click chemistry.

Fixation of CO2 in Clostridium cellulovorans analyzed by 13C-isotopomer-based target metabolomics.

Clostridium cellulovorans has been one of promising microorganisms to use biomass efficiently; however the basic metabolic pathways have not been completely known. We carried out 13C-isotopomer-based target metabolome analysis, or carbohydrate conversion process analysis, for more profound understanding of metabolic pathways of the bacterium. Our findings that pyruvate + oxaloacetate, fumarate, and malate inside and outside cells exhibited 13C incorporation suggest that C. cellulovorans exactly fixed CO2 and partly operated the TCA cycle in a reductive manner. Accompanied with CO2 fixation, the microorganism was also found to produce and secrete lactate. Overall, our study demonstrates that a part of C. cellulovorans metabolic pathways related to glycolysis and the TCA cycle are involved in CO2 fixation.

Exoproteome profiles of Clostridium cellulovorans grown on various carbon sources.

The cellulosome is a complex of cellulosomal proteins bound to scaffolding proteins. This complex is considered the most efficient system for cellulose degradation. Clostridium cellulovorans, which is known to produce cellulosomes, changes the composition of its cellulosomes depending on the growth substrates. However, studies have investigated only cellulosomal proteins; profile changes in noncellulosomal proteins have rarely been examined. In this study, we performed a quantitative proteome analysis of the whole exoproteome of C. cellulovorans, including cellulosomal and noncellulosomal proteins, to illustrate how various substrates are efficiently degraded. C. cellulovorans was cultured with cellobiose, xylan, pectin, or phosphoric acid-swollen cellulose (PASC) as the sole carbon source. PASC was used as a cellulose substrate for more accurate quantitative analysis. Using an isobaric tag method and a liquid chromatography mass spectrometer equipped with a long monolithic silica capillary column, 639 proteins were identified and quantified in all 4 samples. Among these, 79 proteins were involved in saccharification, including 35 cellulosomal and 44 noncellulosomal proteins. We compared protein abundance by spectral count and found that cellulosomal proteins were more abundant than noncellulosomal proteins. Next, we focused on the fold change of the proteins depending on the growth substrates. Drastic changes were observed mainly among the noncellulosomal proteins. These results indicate that cellulosomal proteins were primarily produced to efficiently degrade any substrate and that noncellulosomal proteins were specifically produced to optimize the degradation of a particular substrate. This study highlights the importance of noncellulosomal proteins as well as cellulosomes for the efficient degradation of various substrates.