Production and characterization of unique hemicellulose-degrading enzymes obtained from the symbiotic protists of termites

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25660052
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Applied microbiology
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: Arioka Manabu 東京大学, 農学生命科学研究科, 准教授 (20242159)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: マンナナーゼ / シロアリ共生原生生物 / ヘミセルロース

Outline of Final Research Achievements

GHF26 mannanases named RsMan26A, B, C, and H found in the symbiotic protists of termites were heterologously produced, purified, and characterized in this study. Subsequently the substrate specificities of these enzymes were analyzed. Interestingly, RsMan26H was found to display endo-processive mannobiohydrolase activity producing mannobiose from oligo- and polysaccharides. The crystal structure of RsMan26C demonstrated that the enzyme has the typical (beta/alpha)8 TIM barrel structure. RsMan26C complexed with gluco-manno-oligosaccharide(s) explained its specificities for glucose and mannose at subsites -5 and -2, respectively, in addition to accommodation of both glucose and mannose at subsites -3 and -4.

Free Research Field

微生物学