1. |
- Costa, Thales H.F., et al.
(author)
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Demonstration-scale enzymatic saccharification of sulfite-pulped spruce with addition of hydrogen peroxide for LPMO activation
- 2020
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In: Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining. - : Wiley. - 1932-104X .- 1932-1031. ; 14:4, s. 734-745
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The saccharification of lignocellulosic materials like Norway spruce is challenging due to the recalcitrant nature of the biomass, and it requires optimized and efficient pretreatment and enzymatic hydrolysis processes to make it industrially feasible. In this study, we report successful enzymatic saccharification of sulfite-pulped spruce (Borregaard's BALI™ process) at demonstration scale, achieved through the controlled delivery of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) for the activation of lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) present in the cellulolytic enzyme preparation. We achieved 85% saccharification yield in 4 days using industrially relevant conditions – that is, an enzyme dose of 4% (w/w dry matter of substrate) of the commercial cellulase cocktail Cellic CTec3 and a substrate loading of 12% (w/w). Addition of H2O2 and the resulting controlled and high LPMO activity had a positive effect on the rate of saccharification and the final sugar titer. Clearly, the high LPMO activity was dependent on feeding the reactors with the LPMO co-substrate H2O2, as in situ generation of H2O2 from molecular oxygen was limited. These demonstration-scale experiments provide a solid basis for the use of H2O2 to improve enzymatic saccharification of lignocellulosic biomass at large industrial scale.
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2. |
- Courtade, Gaston, et al.
(author)
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The carbohydrate-binding module and linker of a modular lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase promote localized cellulose oxidation
- 2018
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In: Journal of Biological Chemistry. - 0021-9258 .- 1083-351X. ; 293:34, s. 13006-13015
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) are copper-dependent enzymes that catalyze the oxidative cleavage of polysaccharides such as cellulose and chitin, a feature that makes them key tools in industrial biomass conversion processes. The catalytic domains of a considerable fraction of LPMOs and other carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) are tethered to carbohydrate-binding modules (CBMs) by flexible linkers. These linkers preclude X-ray crystallographic studies, and the functional implications of these modular assemblies remain partly unknown. Here, we used NMR spectroscopy to characterize structural and dynamic features of full-length modular ScLPMO10C from Streptomyces coelicolor We observed that the linker is disordered and extended, creating distance between the CBM and the catalytic domain and allowing these domains to move independently of each other. Functional studies with cellulose nanofibrils revealed that most of the substrate-binding affinity of full-length ScLPMO10C resides in the CBM. Comparison of the catalytic performance of full-length ScLPMO10C and its isolated catalytic domain revealed that the CBM is beneficial for LPMO activity at lower substrate concentrations and promotes localized and repeated oxidation of the substrate. Taken together, these results provide a mechanistic basis for understanding the interplay between catalytic domains linked to CBMs in LPMOs and CAZymes in general.
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3. |
- Hegnar, Olav A., et al.
(author)
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Quantifying Oxidation of Cellulose-Associated Glucuronoxylan by Two Lytic Polysaccharide Monooxygenases from Neurospora crassa
- 2021
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In: Applied and Environmental Microbiology. - 1098-5336 .- 0099-2240. ; 87:24
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Family AA9 lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) are abundant in fungi, where they catalyze oxidative depolymerization of recalcitrant plant biomass. These AA9 LPMOs cleave cellulose and some also act on hemicelluloses, primarily other (substituted) beta-(1 -> 4)-glucans. Oxidative cleavage of xylan has been shown for only a few AA9 LPMOs, and it remains unclear whether this activity is a minor side reaction or primary function. Here, we show that Neurospora crassa LPMO9F (NcLPMO9F) and the phylogenetically related, hitherto uncharacterized NcLPMO9L from N. crassa are active on both cellulose and cellulose-associated glucuronoxylan but not on glucuronoxylan alone. A newly developed method for simultaneous quantification of xylan-derived and cellulose-derived oxidized products showed that NcLPMO9F preferentially cleaves xylan when acting on a cellulosebeechwood glucuronoxylan mixture, yielding about three times more xylan-derived than cellulose-derived oxidized products. Interestingly, under similar conditions, NcLPMO9L and the previously characterized McLPMO9H, from Malbranchea cinnamomea, showed different xylan-to-cellulose preferences, giving oxidized product ratios of about 0.5:1 and 1:1, respectively, indicative of functional variation among xylanactive LPMOs. Phylogenetic and structural analysis of xylan-active AA9 LPMOs led to the identification of characteristic structural features, including unique features that do not occur in phylogenetically remote AA9 LPMOs, such as four AA9 LPMOs whose lack of activity toward glucuronoxylan was demonstrated in the present study. Taken together, the results provide a path toward discovery of additional xylanactive LPMOs and show that the huge family of AA9 LPMOs has members that preferentially act on xylan. These findings shed new light on the biological role and industrial potential of these fascinating enzymes. IMPORTANCE Plant cell wall polysaccharides are highly resilient to depolymerization by hydrolytic enzymes, partly due to cellulose chains being tightly packed in microfibrils that are covered by hemicelluloses. Lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) seem well suited to attack these resilient copolymeric structures, but the occurrence and importance of hemicellulolytic activity among LPMOs remain unclear. Here, we show that certain AA9 LPMOs preferentially cleave xylan when acting on a cellulose-glucuronoxylan mixture, and that this ability is the result of protein evolution that has resulted in a clade of AA9 LPMOs with specific structural features. Our findings strengthen the notion that the vast arsenal of AA9 LPMOs in certain fungal species provides functional versatility and that AA9 LPMOs may have evolved to promote oxidative depolymerization of a wide variety of recalcitrant, copolymeric plant polysaccharide structures. These findings have implications for understanding the biological roles and industrial potential of LPMOs.
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4. |
- Hüttner, Silvia, 1984, et al.
(author)
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Specific xylan activity revealed for AA9 Lytic Polysaccharide Monooxygenases of the thermophilic fungus Malbranchea cinnamomea by functional characterization
- 2019
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In: Applied and Environmental Microbiology. - 1098-5336 .- 0099-2240. ; 85:23
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The thermophilic biomass-degrader Malbranchea cinnamomea exhibits poor growth on cellulose but excellent growth on hemicelluloses as the sole carbon source. This is surprising considering that its genome encodes eight lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) from auxiliary activity family 9 (AA9), enzymes known for their high potential in accelerating cellulose depolymerization. We characterized four of the eight ( M. cinnamomea AA9s) Mc AA9s, namely, Mc AA9A, Mc AA9B, Mc AA9F, and Mc AA9H, to gain a deeper understanding about their roles in the fungus. The characterized Mc AA9s were active on hemicelluloses, including xylan, glucomannan, and xyloglucan, and furthermore, in accordance with transcriptomics data, differed in substrate specificity. Of the Mc AA9s, Mc AA9H is unique, as it preferentially cleaves residual xylan in phosphoric acid-swollen cellulose (PASC). Moreover, when exposed to cellulose-xylan blends, Mc AA9H shows a preference for xylan and for releasing (oxidized) xylooligosaccharides. The cellulose dependence of the xylan activity suggests that a flat conformation, with rigidity similar to that of cellulose microfibrils, is a prerequisite for productive interaction between xylan and the catalytic surface of the LPMO. Mc AA9H showed a similar trend on xyloglucan, underpinning the suggestion that LPMO activity on hemicelluloses strongly depends on the polymers’ physicochemical context and conformation. Our results support the notion that LPMO multiplicity in fungal genomes relates to the large variety of copolymeric polysaccharide arrangements occurring in the plant cell wall.
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5. |
- Kadić, Adnan, et al.
(author)
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In situ measurements of oxidation–reduction potential and hydrogen peroxide concentration as tools for revealing LPMO inactivation during enzymatic saccharification of cellulose
- 2021
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In: Biotechnology for Biofuels. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1754-6834. ; 14:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Biochemical conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to simple sugars at commercial scale is hampered by the high cost of saccharifying enzymes. Lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) may hold the key to overcome economic barriers. Recent studies have shown that controlled activation of LPMOs by a continuous H2O2 supply can boost saccharification yields, while overdosing H2O2 may lead to enzyme inactivation and reduce overall sugar yields. While following LPMO action by ex situ analysis of LPMO products confirms enzyme inactivation, currently no preventive measures are available to intervene before complete inactivation. Results: Here, we carried out enzymatic saccharification of the model cellulose Avicel with an LPMO-containing enzyme preparation (Cellic CTec3) and H2O2 feed at 1 L bioreactor scale and followed the oxidation–reduction potential and H2O2 concentration in situ with corresponding electrode probes. The rate of oxidation of the reductant as well as the estimation of the amount of H2O2 consumed by LPMOs indicate that, in addition to oxidative depolymerization of cellulose, LPMOs consume H2O2 in a futile non-catalytic cycle, and that inactivation of LPMOs happens gradually and starts long before the accumulation of LPMO-generated oxidative products comes to a halt. Conclusion: Our results indicate that, in this model system, the collapse of the LPMO-catalyzed reaction may be predicted by the rate of oxidation of the reductant, the accumulation of H2O2 in the reactor or, indirectly, by a clear increase in the oxidation–reduction potential. Being able to monitor the state of the LPMO activity in situ may help maximizing the benefit of LPMO action during saccharification. Overcoming enzyme inactivation could allow improving overall saccharification yields beyond the state of the art while lowering LPMO and, potentially, cellulase loads, both of which would have beneficial consequences on process economics.
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6. |
- Kadić, A., et al.
(author)
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Oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) as a tool for process monitoring of H2O2/LPMO assisted enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose
- 2019
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In: Process Biochemistry. - : Elsevier BV. - 1359-5113. ; 86, s. 89-97
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) is an environmental factor of importance in several biological conversion processes. Lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) catalyze oxidative disruption of the cellulose chain in the presence of oxygen or hydrogen peroxide and increase enzymatic hydrolysis yields. However, the enzymes are also sensitive to oxidative damage and the level of oxidative agent needs to be controlled to avoid inactivation of the LPMOs. In the current study, enzymatic hydrolysis of sulfite-pretreated softwood (12% DM loading) was carried out in lab scale reactors with gradual addition of hydrogen peroxide using an LPMO-containing commercial enzyme cocktail. The ORP was measured during enzymatic hydrolysis together with released glucose and the level of C4-oxidized dimer as a marker for LPMO activity. Arrests in LPMO activity coincided with a markedly changed ORP signal and this was utilized in subsequent experiments in which the feed rate of hydrogen peroxide was controlled by keeping the ORP at predetermined set-points of -40 mV, -80 mV and -120 mV. Under anaerobic conditions, the highest hydrolysis yield (78% after 72 h) was found for the ORP set-point of -80 mV. The results show that ORP can serve as an indicator of LPMO activity and may help optimizing overall process efficiency.
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7. |
- La Rosa, Sabina Leanti, et al.
(author)
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Glycan processing in gut microbiomes
- 2022
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In: Current Opinion in Microbiology. - : Elsevier BV. - 1369-5274 .- 1879-0364. ; 67
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Microbiomes and their enzymes process many of the nutrients accessible in the gastrointestinal tract of bilaterians and play an essential role in host health and nutrition. In this review, we describe recent insights into nutrient processing in microbiomes across three exemplary yet contrasting gastrointestinal ecosystems (humans, ruminants and insects), with focus on bacterial mechanisms for the utilization of common and atypical dietary glycans as well as host-derived mucus glycans. In parallel, we discuss findings from multi-omic studies that have provided new perspectives on understanding glycan-dependent interactions and the complex food-webs of microbial populations in their natural habitat. Using key examples, we emphasize how increasing understanding of glycan processing by gut microbiomes can provide critical insights to assist ‘microbiome reprogramming’, a growing field that seeks to leverage diet to improve animal growth and host health.
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8. |
- Larsbrink, Johan, 1982, et al.
(author)
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A polysaccharide utilization locus from Flavobacterium johnsoniae enables conversion of recalcitrant chitin
- 2016
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In: Biotechnology for Biofuels. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1754-6834 .- 1754-6834. ; 9:260
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Chitin is the second most abundant polysaccharide on earth and as such a great target for bioconversion applications. The phylum Bacteroidetes is one of nature’s most ubiquitous bacterial lineages and is essential in the global carbon cycle with many members being highly efficient degraders of complex carbohydrates. However, despite their specialist reputation in carbohydrate conversion, mechanisms for degrading recalcitrant crystalline polysaccharides such as chitin and cellulose are hitherto unknown.ResultsHere we describe a complete functional analysis of a novel polysaccharide utilization locus (PUL) in the soil Bacteroidete Flavobacterium johnsoniae, tailored for conversion of chitin. The F. johnsoniae chitin utilization locus (ChiUL) consists of eleven contiguous genes encoding carbohydrate capture and transport proteins, enzymes, and a two-component sensor–regulator system. The key chitinase (ChiA) encoded by ChiUL is atypical in terms of known Bacteroidetes-affiliated PUL mechanisms as it is not anchored to the outer cell membrane and consists of multiple catalytic domains. We demonstrate how the extraordinary hydrolytic efficiency of ChiA derives from synergy between its multiple chitinolytic (endo- and exo-acting) and previously unidentified chitin-binding domains. Reverse genetics show that ChiA and PUL-encoded proteins involved in sugar binding, import, and chitin sensing are essential for efficient chitin utilization. Surprisingly, the ChiUL encodes two pairs of SusC/D-like outer membrane proteins. Ligand-binding and structural studies revealed functional differences between the two SusD-like proteins that enhance scavenging of chitin from the environment. The combined results from this study provide insight into the mechanisms employed by Bacteroidetes to degrade recalcitrant polysaccharides and reveal important novel aspects of the PUL paradigm.ConclusionsBy combining reverse genetics to map essential PUL genes, structural studies on outer membrane chitin-binding proteins, and enzymology, we provide insight into the mechanisms employed by Bacteroidetes to degrade recalcitrant polysaccharides and introduce a new saccharolytic mechanism used by the phylum Bacteroidetes. The presented discovery and analysis of the ChiUL will greatly benefit future enzyme discovery efforts as well as studies regarding enzymatic intramolecular synergism.
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9. |
- Mazurkewich, Scott, 1982, et al.
(author)
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Structural insights of the enzymes from the chitin utilization locus of Flavobacterium johnsoniae
- 2020
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In: Scientific Reports. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2045-2322 .- 2045-2322. ; 10:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Chitin is one of the most abundant renewable organic materials found on earth. The chitin utilization locus in Flavobacterium johnsoniae, which encodes necessary proteins for complete enzymatic depolymerization of crystalline chitin, has recently been characterized but no detailed structural information on the enzymes was provided. Here we present protein structures of the F. johnsoniae chitobiase (FjGH20) and chitinase B (FjChiB). FjGH20 is a multi-domain enzyme with a helical domain not before observed in other chitobiases and a domain organization reminiscent of GH84 (beta -N-acetylglucosaminidase) family members. The structure of FjChiB reveals that the protein lacks loops and regions associated with exo-acting activity in other chitinases and instead has a more solvent accessible substrate binding cleft, which is consistent with its endo-chitinase activity. Additionally, small angle X-ray scattering data were collected for the internal 70 kDa region that connects the N- and C-terminal chitinase domains of the unique 158 kDa multi-domain chitinase A (FjChiA). The resulting model of the molecular envelope supports bioinformatic predictions of the region comprising six domains, each with similarities to either Fn3-like or Ig-like domains. Taken together, the results provide insights into chitin utilization by F. johnsoniae and reveal structural diversity in bacterial chitin metabolism.
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10. |
- Sörensen Ristinmaa, Amanda, 1992, et al.
(author)
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Analyses of long-term fungal degradation of spruce bark reveals varying potential for catabolism of polysaccharides and extractive compounds
- 2024
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In: Bioresource technology. - 0960-8524 .- 1873-2976. ; 402
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The bark represents the outer protective layer of trees. It contains high concentrations of antimicrobial extractives, in addition to regular wood polymers. It represents a huge underutilized side stream in forestry, but biotechnological valorization is hampered by a lack of knowledge on microbial bark degradation. Many fungi are efficient lignocellulose degraders, and here, spruce bark degradation by five species, Dichomitus squalens, Rhodonia placenta, Penicillium crustosum, Trichoderma sp. B1, and Trichoderma reesei, was mapped, by continuously analyzing chemical changes in the bark over six months. The study reveals how fungi from different phyla degrade bark using diverse strategies, regarding both wood polymers and extractives, where toxic resin acids were degraded by Basidiomycetes but unmodified/tolerated by Ascomycetes. Proteome analyses of the white-rot D. squalens revealed several proteins, with both known and unknown functions, that were specifically upregulated during growth on bark. This knowledge can accelerate improved utilization of an abundant renewable resource.
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