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Xylan is the most common hemicellulose in plant cell walls, though the structure of xylan polymers differs between plant species. Here, to gain a better understanding of fungal xylan degradation systems, which can enhance enzymatic saccharification of plant cell walls in industrial processes, we conducted a comparative study of two glycoside hydrolase family 3 (GH3) β-xylosidases (Bxls), one from the basidiomycete Phanerochaete chrysosporium (PcBxl3), and the other from the ascomycete Trichoderma reesei (TrXyl3A). A comparison of the crystal structures of the two enzymes, both with saccharide bound at the catalytic center, provided insight into the basis of substrate binding at each subsite. PcBxl3 has a substratebinding pocket at subsite -1, while TrXyl3A has an extra loop that contains additional binding subsites. Furthermore, kinetic experiments revealed that PcBxl3 degraded xylooligosaccharides faster than TrXyl3A, while the KM values of TrXyl3A were lower than those of PcBxl3. The relationship between substrate specificity and degree of polymerization of substrates suggested that PcBxl3 preferentially degrades xylobiose (X2), while TrXyl3A degrades longer xylooligosaccharides. Moreover, docking simulation supported the existence of extended positive subsites of TrXyl3A in the extra loop located at the N-terminus of the protein. Finally, phylogenetic analysis suggests that wood-decaying basidiomycetes use Bxls such as PcBxl3 that act efficiently on xylan structures from woody plants, whereas molds use instead Bxls that efficiently degrade xylan from grass. Our results provide added insights into fungal efficient xylan degradation systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cellulase mixtures from Hypocrea jecorina are commonly used for the saccharification of cellulose in biotechnical applications. The most abundant β-glucosidase in the mesophilic fungus Hypocrea jecorina is HjCel3A, which hydrolyzes the β-linkage between two adjacent molecules in dimers and short oligomers of glucose. It has been shown that enhanced levels of HjCel3AinH. jecorina cellulase mixtures benefit the conversion of cellulose to glucose. Biochemical characterization of HjCel3A shows that the enzyme efficiently hydrolyzes (1,4)- as well as (1,2)-, (1,3)-, and (1,6)β-D-linked disaccharides. For crystallization studies, HjCel3A was produced in both H. jecorina (HjCel3A) and Pichia pastoris (Pp-HjCel3A).Whereas the thermostabilities of HjCel3A and Pp-HjCel3A are the same, Pp-HjCel3A has a higher degree of N-linked glycosylation. Here, we present x-ray structures of HjCel3A with and without glucose bound in the active site. The structures have a three-domain architecture as observed previously for other glycoside hydrolase family 3 β-glucosidases. Both production hosts resulted in HjCel3A structures that have N-linked glycosylations at Asn208 and Asn310. In H. jecorina-produced HjCel3A, a single N-acetylglucosamine is present at both sites, whereas in Pp-HjCel3A, the P. pastoris-produced HjCel3A enzyme, the glycan chains consist of 8 or 4 saccharides. The glycosylations are involved in intermolecular contacts in the structures derived fromeither host. Due to the different sizes of the glycosylations, the interactions result in different crystal forms for the two protein forms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cellobiohydrolases (CBHs) are typically major components of natural enzyme cocktails for biomass degradation. Their active sites are enclosed in a tunnel, enabling processive hydrolysis of cellulose chains. Glycoside hydrolase Family 6 (GH6) CBHs act from nonreducing ends by an inverting mechanism and are present in many cellulolytic fungi and bacteria. The bacterial Thermobifida fusca Cel6B (TfuCel6B) exhibits a longer and more enclosed active site tunnel than its fungal counterparts. Here, we determine the structures of two TfuCel6B mutants co-crystallized with cellobiose, D274A (catalytic acid), and the double mutant D226A/S232A, which targets the putative catalytic base and a conserved serine that binds the nucleophilic water. The ligand binding and the structure of the active site are retained when compared with the wild type structure, supporting the hypothesis that these residues are directly involved in catalysis. One structure exhibits crystallographic waters that enable construction of a model of the α-anomer product after hydrolysis. Interestingly, the product sites of TfuCel6B are completely enclosed by an "exit loop" not present in fungal GH6 CBHs and by an extended "bottom loop". From the structures, we hypothesize that either of the loops enclosing the product subsites in the TfuCel6B active site tunnel must open substantially for product release. With simulation, we demonstrate that both loops can readily open to allow product release with equal probability in solution or when the enzyme is engaged on cellulose. Overall, this study reveals new structural details of GH6 CBHs likely important for functional differences among enzymes from this important family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbohydrate structures are modified and degraded in the biosphere by a myriad of mostly hydrolytic enzymes. Recently, lytic polysaccharide mono-oxygenases (LPMOs) were discovered as a new class of enzymes for cleavage of recalcitrant polysaccharides that instead employ an oxidative mechanism. LPMOs employ copper as the catalytic metal and are dependent on oxygen and reducing agents for activity. LPMOs are found in many fungi and bacteria, but to date no basidiomycete LPMO has been structurally characterized. Here we present the three-dimensional crystal structure of the basidiomycete Phanerochaete chrysosporium GH61D LPMO, and, for the first time, measure the product distribution of LPMO action on a lignocellulosic substrate. The structure reveals a copper-bound active site common to LPMOs, a collection of aromatic and polar residues near the binding surface that may be responsible for regio-selectivity, and substantial differences in loop structures near the binding face compared with other LPMO structures. The activity assays indicate that this LPMO primarily produces aldonic acids. Last, molecular simulations reveal conformational changes, including the binding of several regions to the cellulose surface, leading to alignment of three tyrosine residues on the binding face of the enzyme with individual cellulose chains, similar to what has been observed for family 1 carbohydrate-binding modules. A calculated potential energy surface for surface translation indicates that P. chrysosporium GH61D exhibits energy wells whose spacing seems adapted to the spacing of cellobiose units along a cellulose chain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]