Affinity Electrophoresis Research Articles

Increase in constitutively active MEK1 species by introduction of MEK1 mutations identified in cancers

The kinase MEK1 is an essential component of the mitogen-activated protein kinase cascades. Somatic mutations that have been identified in the MEK1-coding gene generally enhance kinase activity. Consequently, MEK1 has attracted much interest as a target for cancer therapy to block the aberrant activity. By using Phos-tag affinity electrophoresis, we found that the introduction of mutations detected in certain sporadic cancers or in MEK-inhibitor-resistant cancer cells produced constitutively active MEK1 species containing phosphorylated Ser-218 and Ser-222 residues; it also enhanced the constitutive activity of the kinase. Phosphorylation profiling of the mutants in the presence of inhibitors of RAF/MEK demonstrated that several mutations conferred resistance to multiple inhibitors as a result of an increase in the quantity of active MEK1 species containing the two phosphorylated Ser-218 and Ser-222 residues. Phos-tag-based phosphorylation profiling of MEK1 can therefore provide clinical insights into characteristics of individual mutations in the MEK1-coding gene.

Improved Boronate Affinity Electrophoresis by Optimization of the Running Buffer for a Single-step Separation of piRNA from Mouse Testis Total RNA.

Here we examined optimization of the running buffer in boronate affinity electrophoresis for improved separation of PIWI-interacting RNA (piRNA) with 2'-O-methylated ribose in 3'-terminal nucleotide. The use of Good's buffer, such as HEPES, significantly increased the separation efficiency for piRNA over normal RNA with free 3'-terminal ribose, and retained an ability to resolve the difference by at least 4-nucleotide lengths in the target piRNAs. We also demonstrated a single-step separation of piRNA from mouse testis total RNA.

Supramolecular gel electrophoresis

Amphiphilic C3-symmetric tris-ureas self-assemble into supramolecular hydrogels in aqueous solution. These supramolecular hydrogels were used as matrices for the electrophoresis of biopolymers such as proteins and nucleic acids. A unique separation mode in comparison to that of typical sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS–PAGE) was found during the electrophoresis of denatured proteins. Native proteins were separated on the basis of their isoelectric points and retained their activities. Affinity electrophoresis was realized by exploiting interactions between gelator glucosides and carbohydrate-binding proteins. Protein samples were efficiently recovered through an extremely simple operation, and up to 50% of the protein was extracted by centrifugation, which is a remarkable feature of electrophoresis using supramolecular hydrogels. Large DNA fragments that previously had been separated only by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis were separated using a supramolecular hydrogel matrix and a typical continuous-field electrophoresis apparatus. In this focus review, the author summarizes the electrophoresis of proteins and nucleic acids using our developed supramolecular hydrogel matrix. Amphiphilic C3-symmetric tris-ureas self-assemble into supramolecular hydrogels in aqueous solution. These supramolecular hydrogels were used as matrices for the electrophoresis of biopolymers (SUGE: SupramolecularGelElectrophoresis). A unique separation mode in comparison to that of SDS–PAGE was found during the electrophoresis of denatured proteins. Native proteins were separated on the basis of their isoelectric points and retained their activities. Large DNA fragments that previously had been separated only by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis were separated using a supramolecular hydrogel matrix and a typical continuous-field electrophoresis apparatus.

Recent developments in capillary and microchip electroseparations of peptides (2015-mid 2017).

The review brings a comprehensive overview of recent developments and applications of high performance capillary and microchip electroseparation methods (zone electrophoresis, isotachophoresis, isoelectric focusing, affinity electrophoresis, electrokinetic chromatography, and electrochromatography) to analysis, microscale isolation, purification, and physicochemical and biochemical characterization of peptides in the years 2015, 2016, and ca. up to the middle of 2017. Advances in the investigation of electromigration properties of peptides and in the methodology of their analysis (sample preseparation, preconcentration and derivatization, adsorption suppression and EOF control, and detection) are described. New developments in particular CE and CEC methods are presented and several types of their applications to peptide analysis are reported: qualitative and quantitative analysis, determination in complex (bio)matrices, monitoring of chemical and enzymatical reactions and physical changes, amino acid, sequence and chiral analysis, and peptide mapping of proteins. Some micropreparative peptide separations are shown and capabilities of CE and CEC methods to provide important physicochemical characteristics of peptides are demonstrated.

Abstract 69: Cardiac Fibrosis Induced by Mkk6-p38 Activation Alters Myocardial Stiffness and Myofilament Function

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) accounts for at least half of the patients with heart failure, but to date there are no proven therapies for these patients. Cardiac fibrosis and increased collagen content plays an important role in the pathophysiology of HFpEF. Studies in human HFpEF patients have indicated increased cardiac fibrosis, myocardial stiffness and myofilament calcium sensitivity. However, it is unclear how and if cardiac fibrosis directly alters myofilament function. In this study we used a new model of cardiac fibrosis genetically induced by the constitutive activation of MKK6-p38 (MKK6-Tg) signaling specifically in resident cardiac fibroblasts to determine the effect of fibrosis on myofilament stiffness and function. The MKK6-Tg mice develop interstitial and perivascular fibrosis in the heart accompanied with severe diastolic dysfunction, although systolic function remains normal. We measured the passive stiffness and isometric contractile properties of demembranated papillary muscle preparations. Our results show an increase in passive stiffness in demembranated papillary muscles from MKK6-Tg mice compared to NTG littermates when stretched to 24% from sarcomere length of 2.0 μM. Passive tension at SL=2.3 was significantly increased in MKK6-Tg mice (28±4 vs. 13±3 mN/mm 2 , P<0.05) compared to NTG mice, which was ascribed to changes in Titin isoform as well as extracellular matrix composition. The MKK6-Tg mice also show an increase in Ca 2+ sensitivity (pCa 50 =5.72±0.05 vs. 5.56±0.02, P<0.05). This was associated with an increased rate of force redevelopment in MKK6-Tg mice compared to NTG littermates (k TR =35±8 vs. 22±3 s -1 ). Towards understanding the mechanism of these myofilament changes we performed phosphate affinity electrophoresis and saw decreased phosphorylation of both Troponin I and Troponin T in MKK6-Tg hearts. There was no change in troponin I phosphorylation level at Ser23/24, indicating role of none-PKA mediated phosphorylation in mechanical changes seen in this model.

234 - An electromagnetic homology patternings-based scoring retrosyntesis method on microbial transfected defined hybrids for the assessment of drug-like molecules and a accessible synthetically (AMPs) peptidomimetic-similar as a promising enhanced therapeutic antimicrobial agent

Anti-infective drugs have had a key role in the contemporary world, contributing to dramatically decrease mortality rates caused by infectious diseases worldwide. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are multifunctional effectors of the innate immune system of mucosal surfaces and present antimicrobial activity against a range of pathogenic viruses, bacteria, and fungi. However, the discovery and development of new antibacterial drugs is a crucial step to overcome the great challenge posed by the emergence of antibiotic resistance. In this review, we outline recent advances in the development of novel AMPs with improved antimicrobial activities that were achieved through characteristic structural design. In addition, we describe recent progress made to overcome some of the major limitations that have hindered peptide biosynthesis. Microbial Mutagenesis assays indicate that these residues are essential for the enzymatic activities. Gel affinity electrophoresis shows that these tryptophan residues are involved in the polysaccharide substrate binding. Also, electrostatic potential analysis indicates that almost the entire solvent accessible surface of CelB is negatively charged, which is consistent with the halophilic nature of this enzyme. A retrosynthesis-based scoring method based electromagnetic homology patternings on microbial transfected defined hybrids for the assessment of drug-like molecules on an accessible synthetically (AMPs) peptidomimetic-similar has been generated in this scientific article as a promising enhanced therapeutic antimicrobial agent. In this scientific article we annotated microbial transfected defined hybrids based on electromagnetic homology cell culturing patternings for the estimation and use of synthetic accessibility in a drug discovery rapid retrosynthesis-based scoring method for the assessment of synthetic accessibility of drug-like molecules where rational elaborated common strategies employed for the efficient in silico optimization of an accessible synthetically (AMPs) peptidomimetic-similar to an amphiphile-based pharmacophoric agent as a promising enhanced therapeutic antimicrobial agent.

Affinity Electrophoresis for Analysis of Catalytic Module-Carbohydrate Interactions.

Affinity electrophoresis has long been used to study the interaction between proteins and large soluble ligands. The technique has been found to have great utility for the examination of polysaccharide binding by proteins, particularly carbohydrate binding modules (CBMs). In recent years, carbohydrate surface binding sites of proteins mostly enzymes have also been investigated by this method. Here, we describe a protocol for identifying binding interactions between enzyme catalytic modules and a variety of carbohydrate ligands.

Galactomannan Catabolism Conferred by a Polysaccharide Utilization Locus of Bacteroides ovatus: ENZYME SYNERGY AND CRYSTAL STRUCTURE OF A β-MANNANASE

A recently identified polysaccharide utilization locus (PUL) from Bacteroides ovatus ATCC 8483 is transcriptionally up-regulated during growth on galacto- and glucomannans. It encodes two glycoside hydrolase family 26 (GH26) β-mannanases, BoMan26A and BoMan26B, and a GH36 α-galactosidase, BoGal36A. The PUL also includes two glycan-binding proteins, confirmed by β-mannan affinity electrophoresis. When this PUL was deleted, B. ovatus was no longer able to grow on locust bean galactomannan. BoMan26A primarily formed mannobiose from mannan polysaccharides. BoMan26B had higher activity on galactomannan with a high degree of galactosyl substitution and was shown to be endo-acting generating a more diverse mixture of oligosaccharides, including mannobiose. Of the two β-mannanases, only BoMan26B hydrolyzed galactoglucomannan. A crystal structure of BoMan26A revealed a similar structure to the exo-mannobiohydrolase CjMan26C from Cellvibrio japonicus, with a conserved glycone region (−1 and −2 subsites), including a conserved loop closing the active site beyond subsite −2. Analysis of cellular location by immunolabeling and fluorescence microscopy suggests that BoMan26B is surface-exposed and associated with the outer membrane, although BoMan26A and BoGal36A are likely periplasmic. In light of the cellular location and the biochemical properties of the two characterized β-mannanases, we propose a scheme of sequential action by the glycoside hydrolases encoded by the β-mannan PUL and involved in the β-mannan utilization pathway in B. ovatus. The outer membrane-associated BoMan26B initially acts on the polysaccharide galactomannan, producing comparably large oligosaccharide fragments. Galactomanno-oligosaccharides are further processed in the periplasm, degalactosylated by BoGal36A, and subsequently hydrolyzed into mainly mannobiose by the β-mannanase BoMan26A.

Determination of equilibrium dissociation constants for recombinant antibodies by high-throughput affinity electrophoresis.

High-quality immunoreagents enhance the performance and reproducibility of immunoassays and, in turn, the quality of both biological and clinical measurements. High quality recombinant immunoreagents are generated using antibody-phage display. One metric of antibody quality – the binding affinity – is quantified through the dissociation constant (KD) of each recombinant antibody and the target antigen. To characterize the KD of recombinant antibodies and target antigen, we introduce affinity electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSAs) in a high-throughput format suitable for small volume samples. A microfluidic card comprised of free-standing polyacrylamide gel (fsPAG) separation lanes supports 384 concurrent EMSAs in 30 s using a single power source. Sample is dispensed onto the microfluidic EMSA card by acoustic droplet ejection (ADE), which reduces EMSA variability compared to sample dispensing using manual or pin tools. The KD for each of a six-member fragment antigen-binding fragment library is reported using ~25-fold less sample mass and ~5-fold less time than conventional heterogeneous assays. Given the form factor and performance of this micro- and mesofluidic workflow, we have developed a sample-sparing, high-throughput, solution-phase alternative for biomolecular affinity characterization.

Analysis of proteins and peptides by electromigration methods in microchips

This review presents the developments and applications of microchip electromigration methods in the separation and analysis of peptides and proteins in the period 2011-mid-2016. The developments in sample preparation and preconcentration, microchannel material, and surface treatment are described. Separations by various microchip electromigration methods (zone electrophoresis in free and sieving media, affinity electrophoresis, isotachophoresis, isoelectric focusing, electrokinetic chromatography, and electrochromatography) are demonstrated. Advances in detection methods are reported and novel applications in the areas of proteomics and peptidomics, quality control of peptide and protein pharmaceuticals, analysis of proteins and peptides in biomatrices, and determination of physicochemical parameters are shown.

Boronate affinity electrophoresis for the purification and analysis of cofactor-modified RNAs

RNA modifications are widely distributed in Nature, and their thorough analysis helps answering fundamental biological questions. Nowadays, mass spectrometry or deep-sequencing methods are often used for the analysis. With the raising number of newly discovered RNA modifications, such as the 5'-NAD cap in Escherichia coli, there is an important need for new, less complex and fast analytical tools to analyze the occurrence, amount, and distribution of modified RNAs in cells. To accomplish this task, we have revisited the previously developed affinity gel electrophoresis principles and copolymerized acryloylaminophenyl boronic acid (APB) in standard denaturing polyacrylamide gels to retard the NAD- or FAD-modified RNAs compared to the unmodified RNAs in the gels. The boronyl groups inside the gel form relatively stable complexes with 1,2-cis diols, occurring naturally at the 3'-end of RNA, and also in the nicotinamide riboside of NAD-modified RNA at the 5'-end. The transient formation of diesters between the immobilized boronic acid and the diols causes lower mobility of the modified RNAs, compared to unmodified RNAs, resulting in two distinct bands for one RNA sequence. We used APB affinity gel electrophoresis to preparatively purify in vitro transcribed NAD-RNA from triphosphorylated RNA, to study the enzyme kinetics of the NAD-RNA decapping enzyme NudC, and to determine the NAD modification ratios of various cellular sRNAs. In summary, APB affinity gels can be used to study cofactor-modified RNAs with low amounts of material, and to rapidly screen for their occurrence in total RNA while avoiding complex sample treatments.

Development of on-chip fully automated immunoassay system "μTASWako i30" to measure the changes in glycosylation profiles of alpha-fetoprotein in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Glycosylation profiles significantly change during oncogenesis. Aberrant glycosylation can be used as a cancer biomarker in clinical settings. Different glycoforms can be separately detected using lectin affinity electrophoresis and lectin array-based methods. However, most methodologies and procedures need experienced technique to perform the assays and expertise to interpret the results. To apply glycomarkers for clinical practice, a robust assay system with an easy-to-use workflow is required. Wako's μTASWako i30, a fully automated immunoanalyzer, was developed for in vitro diagnostics based on microfluidic technology. It utilizes the principles of liquid-phase binding assay, where immunoreactions are performed in a liquid phase, and electrokinetic analyte transport assay. Capillary electrophoresis on microfluidic chip has enabled the detection of different glycoform types of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), a serum biomarker for hepatocellular carcinoma. AFP with altered glycosylation can be separated based on the reactivity to Lens culinaris agglutinin on electrophoresis. The glycoform AFP-L3 was reportedly more specific in hepatocellular carcinoma. This assay system can provide a high sensitivity and rapid results in 9 min. The test results for ratio of AFP-L3 to total AFP using μTASWako i30 are correlated with those of conventional methodology. The μTASWako assay system and the technology can be utilized for glycosylation analysis in the postgenomic era.

Using Carbohydrate Interaction Assays to Reveal Novel Binding Sites in Carbohydrate Active Enzymes.

Carbohydrate active enzymes often contain auxiliary binding sites located either on independent domains termed carbohydrate binding modules (CBMs) or as so-called surface binding sites (SBSs) on the catalytic module at a certain distance from the active site. The SBSs are usually critical for the activity of their cognate enzyme, though they are not readily detected in the sequence of a protein, but normally require a crystal structure of a complex for their identification. A variety of methods, including affinity electrophoresis (AE), insoluble polysaccharide pulldown (IPP) and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) have been used to study auxiliary binding sites. These techniques are complementary as AE allows monitoring of binding to soluble polysaccharides, IPP to insoluble polysaccharides and SPR to oligosaccharides. Here we show that these methods are useful not only for analyzing known binding sites, but also for identifying new ones, even without structural data available. We further verify the chosen assays discriminate between known SBS/CBM containing enzymes and negative controls. Altogether 35 enzymes are screened for the presence of SBSs or CBMs and several novel binding sites are identified, including the first SBS ever reported in a cellulase. This work demonstrates that combinations of these methods can be used as a part of routine enzyme characterization to identify new binding sites and advance the study of SBSs and CBMs, allowing them to be detected in the absence of structural data.

Polysaccharide of Dendrobium huoshanense activates macrophages via toll-like receptor 4-mediated signaling pathways

The present work aimed at investigating the pattern recognition receptor (PRR) and immunostimulatory mechanism of a purified Dendrobium huoshanense polysaccharide (DHP). We found that DHP could bind to the surface of macrophages and stimulate macrophages to secrete NO, TNF-α and IL-1β. To unravel the mechanism for the binding of DHP to macrophages, flow cytometry, confocal laser-scanning microscopy, affinity electrophoresis, SDS-PAGE and western blotting were employed to verify the type of PRR responsible for the recognition of DHP by RAW264.7 macrophages and peritoneal macrophages of C3H/HeN and C3H/HeJ macrophages. Results showed that toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) was an essential receptor for macrophages to directly bind DHP. Further, the phosphorylation of ERK, JNK, Akt and p38 were observed to be time-dependently promoted by DHP, as well as the nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65. These results suggest that DHP activates macrophages via its direct binding to TLR4 to trigger TLR4 signaling pathways.

An efficient arabinoxylan-debranching α-L-arabinofuranosidase of family GH62 from Aspergillus nidulans contains a secondary carbohydrate binding site.

An α-L-arabinofuranosidase of GH62 from Aspergillus nidulans FGSC A4 (AnAbf62A-m2,3) has an unusually high activity towards wheat arabinoxylan (WAX) (67U/mg; k cat=178/s, K m=4.90mg/ml) and arabinoxylooligosaccharides (AXOS) with degrees of polymerisation (DP) 3-5 (37-80U/mg), but about 50 times lower activity for sugar beet arabinan and 4-nitrophenyl-α-L-arabinofuranoside. α-1,2- and α-1,3-linked arabinofuranoses are released from monosubstituted, but not from disubstituted, xylose in WAX and different AXOS as demonstrated by NMR and polysaccharide analysis by carbohydrate gel electrophoresis (PACE). Mutants of the predicted general acid (Glu(188)) and base (Asp(28)) catalysts, and the general acid pK a modulator (Asp(136)) lost 1700-, 165- and 130-fold activities for WAX. WAX, oat spelt xylan, birchwood xylan and barley β-glucan retarded migration of AnAbf62A-m2,3 in affinity electrophoresis (AE) although the latter two are neither substrates nor inhibitors. Trp(23) and Tyr(44), situated about 30Å from the catalytic site as seen in an AnAbf62A-m2,3 homology model generated using Streptomyces thermoviolaceus SthAbf62A as template, participate in carbohydrate binding. Compared to wild-type, W23A and W23A/Y44A mutants are less retarded in AE, maintain about 70% activity towards WAX with K i of WAX substrate inhibition increasing 4-7-folds, but lost 77-96 % activity for the AXOS. The Y44A single mutant had less effect, suggesting Trp(23) is a key determinant. AnAbf62A-m2,3 seems to apply different polysaccharide-dependent binding modes, and Trp(23) and Tyr(44) belong to a putative surface binding site which is situated at a distance of the active site and has to be occupied to achieve full activity.

Increased level of phosphorylated desmin and its degradation products in heart failure

Although several risk factors such as infarct size have been identified, the progression/severity of heart failure (HF) remains difficult to predict in clinical practice. Using an experimental rat model of ischemic HF and phosphoproteomic technology, we found an increased level of phosphorylated desmin in the left ventricle (LV) of HF-rats. The purpose of the present work is to assess whether desmin is a circulating or only a tissue biomarker of HF. We used several antibodies in order to detect desmin, its proteolytic fragments and its phosphorylated form in LV and plasma by western blot, phosphate affinity electrophoresis, mass spectrometry and immunofluorescence. Plasma was treated with combinatorial peptide ligand library or depleted for albumin and immunoglobulins to increase the sensitivity of detection. We found a 2-fold increased serine-desmin phosphorylation in the LV of HF-rats, mainly in the insoluble fraction, suggesting the formation of desmin aggregates. Desmin cleavage products were also detected in the LV of HF rats, indicating that the increased phosphorylation of desmin results in more susceptibility to proteolytic activity, likely mediated by calpain activity. The native desmin and its degradation products were undetectable in the plasma of rat, mouse or human. These data suggest the potential of serine-phosphorylated form of desmin and its degradation products, but not of desmin itself, as tissue but not circulating biomarkers of HF.

Recent developments in capillary and microchip electroseparations of peptides (2013-middle 2015).

The review brings a comprehensive survey of recent developments and applications of high performance capillary and microchip electroseparation methods (zone electrophoresis, isotachophoresis, isoelectric focusing, affinity electrophoresis, electrokinetic chromatography, and electrochromatography) to analysis, micropreparation, purification, and physicochemical and biochemical characterization of peptides in the years 2013, 2014, and ca. up to the middle of 2015. Advances in the investigation of electromigration properties of peptides, in the methodology of their analysis, including sample preseparation, preconcentration and derivatization, adsorption suppression and EOF control, as well as in detection of peptides, are described. New developments in particular CE and CEC modes are presented and several types of their applications to peptide analysis are reported: conventional qualitative and quantitative analysis, determination in complex (bio)matrices, monitoring of chemical and enzymatical reactions and physical changes, amino acid, sequence, and chiral analysis, and peptide mapping of proteins. Some micropreparative peptide separations are shown and capabilities of CE and CEC techniques to provide important physicochemical characteristics of peptides are demonstrated.

Structural Insight of a Trimodular Halophilic Cellulase with a Family 46 Carbohydrate-Binding Module.

Cellulases are the key enzymes used in the biofuel industry. A typical cellulase contains a catalytic domain connected to a carbohydrate-binding module (CBM) through a flexible linker. Here we report the structure of an atypical trimodular cellulase which harbors a catalytic domain, a CBM46 domain and a rigid CBM_X domain between them. The catalytic domain shows the features of GH5 family, while the CBM46 domain has a sandwich-like structure. The catalytic domain and the CBM46 domain form an extended substrate binding cleft, within which several tryptophan residues are well exposed. Mutagenesis assays indicate that these residues are essential for the enzymatic activities. Gel affinity electrophoresis shows that these tryptophan residues are involved in the polysaccharide substrate binding. Also, electrostatic potential analysis indicates that almost the entire solvent accessible surface of CelB is negatively charged, which is consistent with the halophilic nature of this enzyme.

The GH5 1,4-β-mannanase from Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis Bl-04 possesses a low-affinity mannan-binding module and highlights the diversity of mannanolytic enzymes.

Backgroundβ-Mannans are abundant and diverse plant structural and storage polysaccharides. Certain human gut microbiota members including health-promoting Bifidobacterium spp. catabolize dietary mannans. Little insight is available on the enzymology of mannan deconstruction in the gut ecological niche. Here, we report the biochemical properties of the first family 5 subfamily 8 glycoside hydrolase (GH5_8) mannanase from the probiotic bacterium Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis Bl-04 (BlMan5_8).ResultsBlMan5_8 possesses a novel low affinity carbohydrate binding module (CBM) specific for soluble mannan and displays the highest catalytic efficiency reported to date for a GH5 mannanase owing to a very high kcat (1828 ± 87 s-1) and a low Km (1.58 ± 0.23 g · L-1) using locust bean galactomannan as substrate. The novel CBM of BlMan5_8 mediates increased binding to soluble mannan based on affinity electrophoresis. Surface plasmon resonance analysis confirmed the binding of the CBM10 to manno-oligosaccharides, albeit with slightly lower affinity than the catalytic module of the enzyme. This is the first example of a low-affinity mannan-specific CBM, which forms a subfamily of CBM10 together with close homologs present only in mannanases. Members of this new subfamily lack an aromatic residue mediating binding to insoluble cellulose in canonical CBM10 members consistent with the observed low mannan affinity.ConclusionBlMan5_8 is evolved for efficient deconstruction of soluble mannans, which is reflected by an exceptionally low Km and the presence of an atypical low affinity CBM, which increases binding to specifically to soluble mannan while causing minimal decrease in catalytic efficiency as opposed to enzymes with canonical mannan binding modules. These features highlight fine tuning of catalytic and binding properties to support specialization towards a preferred substrate, which is likely to confer an advantage in the adaptation to competitive ecological niches.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12858-015-0055-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Exploring Multimodularity in Plant Cell Wall Deconstruction: STRUCTURAL AND FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS OF Xyn10C CONTAINING THE CBM22-1–CBM22-2 TANDEM

Elucidating the molecular mechanisms regulating multimodularity is a challenging task. Paenibacillus barcinonensis Xyn10C is a 120-kDa modular enzyme that presents the CBM22/GH10/CBM9 architecture found in a subset of large xylanases. We report here the three-dimensional structure of the Xyn10C N-terminal region, containing the xylan-binding CBM22-1-CBM22-2 tandem (Xyn10C-XBD), which represents the first solved crystal structure of two contiguous CBM22 modules. Xyn10C-XBD is folded into two separate CBM22 modules linked by a flexible segment that endows the tandem with extraordinary plasticity. Each isolated domain has been expressed and crystallized, and their binding abilities have been investigated. Both domains contain the R(W/Y)YYE motif required for xylan binding. However, crystallographic analysis of CBM22-2 complexes shows Trp-308 as an additional binding determinant. The long loop containing Trp-308 creates a platform that possibly contributes to the recognition of precise decorations at subsite S2. CBM22-2 may thus define a subset of xylan-binding CBM22 modules directed to particular regions of the polysaccharide. Affinity electrophoresis reveals that Xyn10C-XBD binds arabinoxylans more tightly, which is more apparent when CBM22-2 is tested against highly substituted xylan. The crystal structure of the catalytic domain, also reported, shows the capacity of the active site to accommodate xylan substitutions at almost all subsites. The structural differences found at both Xyn10C-XBD domains are consistent with the isothermal titration calorimetry experiments showing two sites with different affinities in the tandem. On the basis of the distinct characteristics of CBM22, a delivery strategy of Xyn10C mediated by Xyn10C-XBD is proposed.