Agarase Activity Research Articles

Biochemical characterization of a novel cold-adapted GH39 β-agarase, AgaJ9, from an agar-degrading marine bacterium Gayadomonas joobiniege G7.

Gayadomonas joobiniege G7 is an agar-degrading marine bacterium belonging to a novel genus. Genomic sequencing of G. joobiniege revealed that AgaJ9 (formerly YjdB) belonging to the glycoside hydrolase (GH) 39 family. It showed the highest similarity (47% identity) to a putative β-agarase from Catenovulum agarivorans DS-2, an agar-degrading marine bacterium sharing the highest similarity in the nucleotide sequence of 16s rRNA gene with G. joobiniege G7. The agaJ9 gene encodes a protein (134kDa) of 1205 amino acids, including a 23-amino acid signal peptide. The agarase activity of purified AgaJ9 was confirmed by zymogram analysis. The optimum pH and temperature for AgaJ9 activity were determined as 5 and 25°C, respectively. Notably, AgaJ9 is a cold-adapted β-agarase retaining more than 80% of its activity even at a temperature of 5°C. In addition, gel filtration chromatography revealed that AgaJ9 exists as two forms, dimer and monomer. Although the two forms had similar enzymatic properties, their kinetic parameters were different. The K m and V max of dimeric AgaJ9 for agarose was 0.68mg/ml (5.7×10-6M) and 17.2U/mg, respectively, whereas the monomeric form had a K m of 1.43mg/ml (1.2×10-5M) and V max of 10.7U/mg. Thin-layer chromatography and agarose-liquefying analyses revealed that AgaJ9 is an endo-type β-agarase that hydrolyzes agarose into neoagarotetraose and neoagarobiose. This study is the first report of a GH39 β-agarase with a cold-adapted enzymatic feature, a unique attribute, which may be useful for industrial applications.

Cloning, Expression, and Biochemical Characterization of a Novel Acidic GH16 β-Agarase, AgaJ11, from Gayadomonas joobiniege G7.

A novel β-agarase AgaJ11 belonging to the glycoside hydrolase (GH) 16 family was identified from an agar-degrading bacterium Gayadomonas joobiniege G7. AgaJ11 was composed of 317 amino acids (35kDa), including a 26-amino acid signal peptide, and had the highest similarity (44% identity) to a putative β-agarase from an agarolytic marine bacterium Agarivorans albus MKT 106. The agarase activity of purified AgaJ11 was confirmed by zymogram analysis. The optimum pH and temperature for AgaJ11 activity were determined to be 4.5 and 40°C, respectively. Notably, AgaJ11 is an acidic β-agarase that was active only at a narrow pH range from 4 to 5, and less than 30% of its enzymatic activity was retained at other pH conditions. The K m and V max of AgaJ11 for agarose were 21.42mg/ml and 25U/mg, respectively. AgaJ11 did not require metal ions for its activity, but severe inhibition by several metal ions was observed. Thin layer chromatography and agarose-liquefying analyses revealed that AgaJ11 is an endo-type β-agarase that hydrolyzes agarose into neoagarohexaose, neoagarotetraose, and neoagarobiose. Therefore, this study shows that AgaJ11 from G. joobiniege G7 is a novel GH16 β-agarase with an acidic enzymatic feature that may be useful for industrial applications.

Expression and Characterization of a Novel Thermostable and pH-Stable β-Agarase from Deep-Sea Bacterium Flammeovirga Sp. OC4.

A novel gene (aga4436), encoding a potential agarase of 456 amino acids, was identified in the genome of deep-sea bacterium Flammeovirga sp. OC4. Aga4436 belongs to the glycoside hydrolase 16 β-agarase family. Aga4436 was expressed in Escherichia coli as a fusion protein and purified. Recombinant Aga4436 showed an optimum agarase activity at 50-55 °C and pH 6.5, with a wide active range of temperatures (30-80 °C) and pHs (5.0-10.0). Notably, Aga4436 retained more than 90%, 80%, and 35% of its maximum activity after incubation at 30 °C, 40 °C, and 50 °C for 144 h, respectively, which exhibited an excellent thermostability in medium-high temperatures. Besides, Aga4436 displayed a remarkable tolerance to acid and alkaline environments, as it retained more than 70% of its maximum activity at a wide range of pHs from 3.0 to 10.0 after incubation in tested pHs for 60 min. These desirable properties of Aga4436 could make Aga4436 attractive in the food and nutraceutical industries.

Preliminary characterization of a novel β-agarase from Thalassospira profundimonas.

BackgroundThe objective of this study was to characterize the agarase from a newly isolated agarolytic bacterium Thalassospira profundimaris fst-13007.ResultsAgarase-fst was purified to homogeneity which apparent molecular weight was 66.2 kDa. Its activity was optimal at 45 °C and pH 8 and was stable at pH 5–9 or 30–50 °C. Agarase-fst required Mn2+ for agarase activity and inhibition by Cu2+, Fe3+ and EDTA. Tests of hydrolysis pattern and substrate specificity, TLC analysis and mass spectrometry of the hydrolysis products revealed that it is an endo-type β-agarase hydrolyzing agarose into neoagarobiose, neoagarotetraose and neoagarohexaose. Results of MALDI-TOF-TOF/MS indicate that it lack of homology to previously identified proteins and present conserved domain of β-agarase.ConclusionAgarase-fst from T. profundimaris fst-13007 was confirmed to be a novel endo-type β-agarase.

Alteromonas sp. SH-1균 유래의 α-agarase의 특성조사

A novel agar-degrading marine bacterium, SH-1 strain, was isolated from seashore of Namhae at Gyeongnam province, Korea. The SH-1 strain exhibited 98% similarity with Alteromonas species based on 16S rDNA sequencing and named as Alteromonas sp. SH-1. Alteromonas sp. SH-1 showed agarase activity of 348.3 U/L (1.67 U/mg protein). The molecular masses of the enzymes were predicted as about 85 kDa and 110 kDa by SDS-PAGE and zymogram. The enzymatic activity was optimal at 30℃ and the relative agarase activity was decreased as temperature increase from 30℃ and thus about 90% and 70% activities were shown at 40oC and 50℃, respectively. The optimum pH was 6.0 for agarase activity in 20 mM Tris-HCl buffer and activities were less than 70% and 85% activity at pH 5.0 and pH 7.0, respectively, compared with that at pH 6. Agarase activity has remained over 90% at 20℃ after 1.5 hour exposure at this temperature. However, its activity was less than 60% at 30℃ after 0.5 h exposure at this temperature. The enzymes produced agarooligosaccharides such as agaropentaose and agarotriose from agarose, indicating that the agarases are α-agarases. Thus, Alteromonas sp. SH-1 and its agarases would be useful for the industrial production of agarooligosaccharides which are known as having anticancer and antioxidation activities.

해양성 Marinomonas sp. SH-2 균주가 생성하는 agarase의 분리 및 특성조사

본 연구에서는 많은 생리활성 기능을 갖는 한천올리고당과 네오한천올리고당을 생산할 수 있는 agarase를 생성하는 신규 해양성 세균을 분리하고, 이 균주가 생성하는 한천분해효소의 특성을 조사하였다. 한천분해활성을 가진 신규의 SH-2 균주는 경상남도 남해군 연안에서 채취한 해수에서 분리하였으며, 16S rDNA 염기서열분석을 통해 Marinomonas 속 세균과 약 99% 유사하여 Marinomonas sp. SH-2로 명명하였다. Agarase는 Marinomonas sp. SH-2 균주의 배양액으로부터 추출하였으며, 한천분해활성을 측정한 결과, pH 6.0의 20 mM Tris-HCl buffer를 사용할 경우 30℃에서 최고 활성(170.2 units/l)이 나타났다. 하지만, 40℃ 이상의 온도에서 0.5시간 이상 처리할 경우 효소의 잔존활성이 40% 이하로 감소하는 것으로 보아 이 효소는 내열성을 가지지 않는다고 판단되었다. 효소의 가수분해산물을 TLC로 분석한 결과, Marinomonas sp. SH-2으로부터 생성되는 효소는 아가로스를 분해하여 neoagarohexaose와 neoagarotetraose를 생성하여 β-agarase로 확인되었다. 따라서 Marinomonas sp. SH-2와 이 균주의 한천분해효소는 식품, 화장품, 의약품 연구 등에 실용적으로 적용할 수 있을 것이다. This study aimed to isolate a novel agarase-producing marine bacterium and characterize its agarase, as agarases are known to produce biofunctional agarooligosaccharides or neo-agarooligosaccharides. A novel agar-degrading bacterium, SH-2, was isolated from the seawater of Namhae in Gyeongnam Province, Korea, and cultured in Marine agar 2216 medium. The 16S rRNA gene sequence represented 99% identity with that of the members of the Marinomonas genus; hence, the isolated bacterium was named Marinomonas sp. SH-2. The crude agarase was prepared from a culture medium of Marinomonas. sp SH-2, and exhibited maximum agarase activity at 170.2 units/l. The optimum conditions were pH 6.0 and 30℃ in 20 mM Tris-HCl buffer. The agarase activity of the bacterium was highly elevated from 20℃(42% relative activity) to 30℃(100%), and 82% activity was shown at 40℃. Its relative activities were less than 40% at over 40℃ after a 0.5 hr exposure. Relative activity was 100% at pH 6.0, while it was 72% and 48% at pH 5.0 and pH 7.0, respectively. The enzyme from Marinomonas sp. SH-2 degraded agarose to neoagarohexaose and neoagarotetraose, indicating that the enzyme is β-agarase. Thus, Marinomonas sp. SH-2 and its enzyme could be practical for applications in food, cosmetic, and medical research.

Amy63, a novel type of marine bacterial multifunctional enzyme possessing amylase, agarase and carrageenase activities.

A multifunctional enzyme is one that performs multiple physiological functions, thus benefiting the organism. Characterization of multifunctional enzymes is important for researchers to understand how organisms adapt to different environmental challenges. In the present study, we report the discovery of a novel multifunctional enzyme Amy63 produced by marine bacterium Vibrio alginolyticus 63. Remarkably, Amy63 possesses amylase, agarase and carrageenase activities. Amy63 is a substrate promiscuous α-amylase, with the substrate priority order of starch, carrageenan and agar. Amy63 maintains considerable amylase, carrageenase and agarase activities and stabilities at wide temperature and pH ranges, and optimum activities are detected at temperature of 60 °C and pH of 6.0, respectively. Moreover, the heteroexpression of Amy63 dramatically enhances the ability of E. coli to degrade starch, carrageenan and agar. Motif searching shows three continuous glycosyl hydrolase 70 (GH70) family homologs existed in Amy63 encoding sequence. Combining serial deletions and phylogenetic analysis of Amy63, the GH70 homologs are proposed as the determinants of enzyme promiscuity. Notably, such enzymes exist in all kingdoms of life, thus providing an expanded perspective on studies of multifunctional enzymes. To our knowledge, this is the first report of an amylase having additional agarase and carrageenase activities.

해양성 Simiduia sp. SH-1 균주의 분리 및 한천분해효소의 특성조사

Agarase from a novel agar-degrading bacterium isolated from seawater in Namhae at Gyeongsangnam- do province of Korea was characterized. The SH-1 strain was sel ected from thousands of colonies on Marine agar 2216 media. Almost full 16S rRNA gene sequence of t he agarolytic SH-1 strain showed 99% similarity with that of bacteria of Simiduia genus and named as Simiduia sp. SH-1. Agarase pro- duction was growth related, and activity was declined from stat ionary phase. Secreted agarase was prepared from culture media and characterized. It showed maximum activity of 698.6 units/L at pH 7.0 and 30° C in 20 mM Tris-HCl buffer. Agarase activity decreased as the temperature increased from an optimum of 30° C, with 90% and 75% activity at 40°C and 50°C, respectively. Agarase was not heat resistant. Slightly lower agarase activity was observed at pH 6.0 than at pH 7.0, without statistical difference, and 80% and 75% activity were observed at pH 5.0 and 8.0, respectively. Neoagarotetraose and neoagarobiose were the main final products of agarose, indicating that it is β-agarase. Simiduia sp. SH-1 and its β -agarase would be useful for the industrial production of neoagarotetraose and neo- agarobiose, which have a whitening effect on skin, delaying starch degradation, and inhibiting bacte- rial growth.

Biochemical characterization of a novel iron-dependent GH16 β-agarase, AgaH92, from an agarolytic bacterium Pseudoalteromonas sp. H9.

A putative agarase gene (agaH92) encoding a primary translation product (50.1 kDa) of 445 amino acids with a 19-amino-acid signal peptide and glycoside hydrolase 16 and RICIN superfamily domains was identified in an agarolytic marine bacterium, Pseudoalteromonas sp. H9 ( = KCTC23887). The heterologously expressed protein rAgaH92 in Escherichia coli had an apparent molecular weight of 51 kDa on SDS-PAGE, consistent with the calculated molecular weight. Agarase activity of rAgaH92 was confirmed by a zymogram assay. rAgaH92 hydrolyzed p-nitrophenyl-β-D-galactopyranoside, but not p-nitrophenyl-α-D-galactopyranoside. The optimum pH and temperature for rAgaH92 were 6.0 and 45°C, respectively. It was thermostable and retained more than 85% of its initial activity after heat treatment at 50°C for 1 h. rAgaH92 required Fe(2+) for agarase activity and inhibition by EDTA was compensated by Fe(2+). TLC analysis, mass spectrometry and NMR spectrometry of the GST-AgaH71 hydrolysis products revealed that rAgaH92 is an endo-type β-agarase, hydrolyzing agarose into neoagarotetraose and neoagarohexaose.

Improved of Growth Rate of Abalone Haliotis Asinine Fed Pudding Probiotic-enriched Protein

There is great potential of using probiotics in aquaculture to increase growth rates and improve the nutritional status of the cultured animal. In this study has analyzed the growth rate of abalone fed pudding probiotic Vibrio strain Abn1.2 -Alg3.1-enriched soybean protein. Vibrio strains Alg3.1RfR-Abn1.2RfR is agarase enzyme producing bacteria. Growth performanced of normal abalone were evaluated and compared with abalone fed pudding probiotic diet and abalone fed pudding probiotic-enriched soybean protein. Dinitrosalysilic acid was used to measured in situ agarase activity and viable cell count was used to determine whether the probionts Alg3.1RfR-Abn1.2RfR can colonize the gastrointestinal tract of abalon. Abalone fed a diet pudding probiotic Vibrio strain Alg3.1RfR-Abn1.2RfR -enriched protein exhibited a increased growth rate compared to abalone fed standard diet under laboratory conditions. The number of culturable cell reisolated from abalone fed pudding probiotic for 14 days ranged from 106-107 cfu/g material. Agarase activity in the abalone digestive tract was higher in abalone fed pudding probiotic compared to abalone fed unsupplemented pudding.

Cloning, expression, and biochemical characterization of a GH16 β-agarase AgaH71 from Pseudoalteromonas hodoensis H7.

An agarase gene (agaH71) was identified from Pseudoalteromonas hodoensis, an agar utilizing marine bacterium. The nucleotide sequence revealed that AgaH71 had significant homology to glycosyl hydrolase (GH) 16 agarases. agaH71 encodes a primary translation product (32.7 kDa) of 290 amino acids, including a 21-amino-acid signal peptide. The entire AgaH71 was expressed in a fused protein with glutathione-S-transferase (GST) at its N-terminal (GST-AgaH71) in Escherichia coli. Purified GST-AgaH71 had an apparent molecular weight of 59 kDa on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), which was consistent with the calculated molecular weight (58.7 kDa). Agarase activity of the purified protein was confirmed by zymogram assay. GST-AgaH71 could hydrolyze p-nitrophenyl-β-D-galactopyranoside, but not p-nitrophenyl-α-D-galactopyranoside. The optimum pH and temperature for GST-AgaH71 were 6.0 and 45 °C, respectively. GST-AgaH71 retained more than 95 and 90 % of its initial activity at 40 and 45 °C after heat treatment for 60 min, respectively. The K m and V max for agarose were 28.33 mg/ml and 88.25 U/mg, respectively. GST-AgaH71 did not require metal ions for its activity, but severe inhibition by divalent metal ions was observed. Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) analysis, mass spectrometry, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometry of the GST-AgaH71 hydrolysis products revealed that GST-AgaH71 is an endo-type β-agarase that hydrolyzes agarose into predominantly neoagarotetraose and small proportions of neoagarobiose and neoagarohexaose.

Isolation and characterization of agar-degrading endophytic bacteria from plants.

Agar is a polysaccharide extracted from the cell walls of some macro-algaes. Among the reported agarases, most of them come from marine environment. In order to better understand different sources of agarases, it is important to search new non-marine native ones. In this study, seven agar-degrading bacteria were first isolated from the tissues of plants, belonging to three genera, i.e., Paenibacillus sp., Pseudomonas sp., and Klebsiella sp. Among them, the genus Klebsiella was first reported to have agarolytic ability and the genus Pseudomonas was first isolated from non-marine environment with agarase activity. Besides, seven strains were characterized by investigating the growth and agarase production in the presence of various polysaccharides. The results showed that they could grow on several polysaccharides such as araban, carrageenan, chitin, starch, and xylan. Besides, they could also produce agarase in the presence of different polysaccharides other than agar. Extracellular agarases from seven strains were further analyzed by SDS-PAGE combined with activity staining and estimated to be 75 kDa which has great difference from most reported agarases.

Draft genome sequence of Halolamina rubra CBA1107T, an agarolytic haloarchaeon isolated from solar salt

Halolamina rubra CBA1107T (=CECT 8421T, JCM 19436T), an extremely halophilic archaeon, was isolated from non-purified solar salt in the Republic of Korea. H. rubra CBA1107T shows agarase activity, and its draft genome contains 2955,064bp with a G+C content of 69.0%. This is the first genome that has been sequenced in the genus Halolamina.

Flavobacterium faecale sp. nov., an agarase-producing species isolated from stools of Antarctic penguins.

Taxonomic studies were performed on an agarase-producing strain, designated WV33(T), isolated from faeces of Antarctic penguins. Cells of strain WV33(T) were Gram-staining-negative, strictly aerobic, orange and rod-shaped. Strain WV33(T) displayed agarase activity and was able to utilize galactose as a sole carbon source. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain WV33(T) was closely related to Flavobacterium algicola TC2(T) (98.0% similarity), F. frigidarium ATCC 700810(T) (96.9%) and F. frigoris LMG 21922(T) (96.1%). The predominant cellular fatty acids were iso-C(15 : 1) G, iso-C(15 : 0), C(15 : 0), C(16 : 0) and summed feature 3 (comprising iso-C(15 : 0) 2-OH and/or C(16 : 1)ω7c). Menaquinone 6 (MK-6) was the sole quinone identified, and the major pigment was zeaxanthin. The major polar lipid was phosphatidylethanolamine. DNA-DNA relatedness of strain WV33(T) with respect to its closest phylogenetic neighbours was 25% for F. algicola NBRC 102673(T), 23% for F. frigidarium DSM 17623(T) and 21% for F. frigoris DSM 15719(T). The DNA G+C content of strain WV33(T) was 37±0.6 mol%. Based on the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic data, strain WV33(T) is concluded to represent a novel species of the genus Flavobacterium, for which the name Flavobacterium faecale sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is WV33(T) ( = KCTC 32457(T) = CECT 8384(T)).

Production and characterization of a novel thermostable extracellular agarase from Pseudoalteromonas hodoensis newly isolated from the West Sea of South Korea.

A Gram-negative, aerobic, motile, rod-shaped, agarolytic bacterium, designated as H7, was isolated from a coastal seawater sample. This strain grows at pH 6.0-8.0, temperature of 15-40 °C, and at an NaCl concentration of 1-7% (w/v). Ubiquinone-8 was the predominant respiratory quinone, and the DNA G+C content was 45.82 mol%. Analysis of the 16S rRNA sequence suggests that strain H7 belongs to the genus Pseudoalteromonas. DNA-DNA hybridization analysis showed DNA relatedness of as low as 55.42 and 40.27% with its nearest phylogenetic neighbors Pseudoalteromonas atlantica IAM12927T and Pseudoalteromonas espejiana NCIMB2127T, respectively, which led us to name H7 Pseudoalteromonas hodoensis sp. nov. The type strain is H7T (=DSM25967T=KCTC23887T). An agarase (AgaA7) was purified to homogeneity from the cell-free culture broth of H7 through many steps of chromatography. Purified AgaA7 had an apparent molecular weight of 35 kDa, with a distinct NH2-terminal sequence of Ala-Asp-Ala-Thr-X-Pro (X, any amino acid) from the reported proteins, implying that it is a novel enzyme. The optimum pH and temperature for agarase activity were 7.0 and 45 °C, respectively. Thin-layer chromatography analysis, mass spectrometry, and enzyme assay using p-nitrophenyl-α/β-D-galactopyranoside revealed that AgaA7 is both an exo- and endo-type β-agarase that degrades agarose into neoagarotetraose, neoagarohexaose, and neoagarooctaose (minor).

Overexpression and characterization of a novel thermostable β-agarase YM01-3, from marine bacterium Catenovulum agarivorans YM01(T).

Genome sequencing of Catenovulum agarivorans YM01T reveals 15 open-reading frames (ORFs) encoding various agarases. In this study, extracellular proteins of YM01T were precipitated by ammonium sulfate and separated by one-dimensional gel electrophoresis. The results of in-gel agarase activity assay and mass spectrometry analysis revealed that the protein, YM01-3, was an agarase with the most evident agarolytic activity. Agarase YM01-3, encoded by the YM01-3 gene, consisted of 420 amino acids with a calculated molecular mass of 46.9 kDa and contained a glycoside hydrolase family 16 β-agarase module followed by a RICIN superfamily in the C-terminal region. The YM01-3 gene was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The recombinant agarase, YM01-3, showed optimum activity at pH 6.0 and 60 °C and had a Km of 3.78 mg mL−1 for agarose and a Vmax of 1.14 × 104 U mg−1. YM01-3 hydrolyzed the β-1,4-glycosidic linkages of agarose, yielding neoagarotetraose and neoagarohexaose as the main products. Notably, YM01-3 was stable below 50 °C and retained 13% activity after incubation at 80 °C for 1 h, characteristics much different from other agarases. The present study highlights a thermostable agarase with great potential application value in industrial production.

Cloning, expression, and biochemical characterization of a novel GH16 β-agarase AgaG1 from Alteromonas sp. GNUM-1

Alteromonas sp. GNUM-1 is known to degrade agar, the main cell wall component of red macroalgae, for their growth. A putative agarase gene (agaG1) was identified from the mini-library of GNUM-1, when extracellular agarase activity was detected in a bacterial transformant. The nucleotide sequence revealed that AgaG1 had significant homology to GH16 agarases. agaG1 encodes a primary translation product (34.7 kDa) of 301 amino acids, including a 19-amino-acid signal peptide. For intracellular expression, a gene fragment encoding only the mature form (282 amino acids) was cloned into pGEX-5X-1 in Escherichia coli, where AgaG1 was expressed as a fusion protein with GST attached to its N-terminal (GST-AgaG1). GST-AgaG1 purified on a glutathione sepharose column had an apparent molecular weight of 59 kDa on SDS-PAGE, and this weight matched with the estimated molecular weight (58.7 kDa). The agarase activity of the purified protein was confirmed by the zymogram assay. GST-AgaG1 could hydrolyze the artificial chromogenic substrate, p-nitrophenyl-β-D-galactopyranoside but not p-nitrophenyl-α-D-galactopyranoside. The optimum pH and temperature for GST-AgaG1 activity were identified as 7.0 and 40 °C, respectively. GST-AgaG1 was stable up to 40 °C (100 %), and it retained more than 70 % of its initial activity at 45 °C after heat treatment for 30 min. The K m and V max for agarose were 3.74 mg/ml and 23.8 U/mg, respectively. GST-AgaG1 did not require metal ions for its activity. Thin layer chromatography analysis, mass spectrometry, and (13)C-nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry of the GST-AgaG1 hydrolysis products revealed that GST-AgaG1 is an endo-type β-agarase that hydrolyzes agarose and neoagarotetraose into neoagarobiose.

Characterization and overexpression of a novel β -agarase from Thalassomonas agarivorans

The agarase from Thalassomonas agarivorans BCRC 17492 was cloned and overexpressed in Escherichia coli. The characterization of the novel agarase was performed. The genomic library of T.agarivorans BCRC 17492 was constructed for screening agarase gene. The novel β-agarase, namely AgaB1, was successfully identified and shared only 57% identity to reported agarase from Alteromonas sp. To characterize the AgaB1 protein, the recombinant AgaB1 can be obtained by heterologous expression in E.coli. The agarase activity of AgaB1 was achieved at 30·25U per mg at 35°C. According to the analysis of optimal conditions, the highest activity of AgaB1 was attained at 40°C, pH 7·4 and 200mmoll(-1) NaCl, and half-life of AgaB1 can be maintained for almost 1h at 40°C. Further determination of substrate hydrolysis indicated that AgaB1 had possession of both endo- and exolytic activity, and neoagarobiose was the major hydrolysis product by TLC and high-performance liquid chromatograph/mass spectrometer (HPLC/MS) analysis. We have successfully cloned and overexpressed the novel β-agarase from T.agarivorans BCRC 17492 in E.coli. The high yield and detailed characterization of recombinant AgaB1 was provided. AgaB1 was the first β-agarase that was cloned and described from Thalassomonas species. In the light of properties of AgaB1, it has the potential as the biocatalyst for industrial applications.

Isolation and Characterization of a Novel Agar Degrading Bacterium, Alteromonas macleodii subsp. GNUM08120, from Red Macroalgae

An agar-hydrolyzing marine bacterium, strain GNUM08120, was isolated from Sargassum fulvellum collected from Yeongil bay of East Sea of Korea. The isolate was Gram-negative, aerobic, motile with single polar flagellum, and grew at 1-10% NaCl, pH 5.0-8.0, and . G+C content and the predominant respiratory quinone were 46.13 mol% and Q-8, respectively. The major cellular fatty acids were Summed feature 3 (24.5%), (21.7%), and (12.5%). Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity and DNA-DNA hybridization analyses, strain GNUM08120 was identified as a novel subspecies of Alteromonas macleodii, designated Alteromonas macleodii subsp. GNUM08120. Production of agarase by strain GNUM08120 was likely repressed by the effect of carbon catabolite repression caused by glucose. The crude agarase prepared from 12-h culture broth of strain GNUM08120 exhibited an optimum pH and temperature for agarase activity at 7.0 and , respectively. The crude enzyme produced (neo)agarobiose, (neo)agarotetraose, and (neo)agarohexaose as the hydrolyzed product of agarose.

An Extra Peptide within the Catalytic Module of a β-Agarase Affects the Agarose Degradation Pattern

Agarase hydrolyzes agarose into a series of oligosaccharides with repeating disaccharide units. The glycoside hydrolase (GH) module of agarase is known to be responsible for its catalytic activity. However, variations in the composition of the GH module and its effects on enzymatic functions have been minimally elucidated. The agaG4 gene, cloned from the genome of the agarolytic Flammeovirga strain MY04, encodes a 503-amino acid protein, AgaG4. Compared with elucidated agarases, AgaG4 contains an extra peptide (Asn(246)-Gly(302)) within its GH module. Heterologously expressed AgaG4 (recombinant AgaG4; rAgaG4) was determined to be an endo-type β-agarase. The protein degraded agarose into neoagarotetraose and neoagarohexaose at a final molar ratio of 1.5:1. Neoagarooctaose was the smallest substrate for rAgaG4, whereas neoagarotetraose was the minimal degradation product. Removing the extra fragment from the GH module led to the inability of the mutant (rAgaG4-T57) to degrade neoagarooctaose, and the final degradation products of agarose by the truncated protein were neoagarotetraose, neoagarohexaose, and neoagarooctaose at a final molar ratio of 2.7:2.8:1. The optimal temperature for agarose degradation also decreased to 40 °C for this mutant. Bioinformatic analysis suggested that tyrosine 276 within the extra fragment was a candidate active site residue for the enzymatic activity. Site-swapping experiments of Tyr(276) to 19 various other amino acids demonstrated that the characteristics of this residue were crucial for the AgaG4 degradation of agarose and the cleavage pattern of substrate.