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PubMed2001

Enzyme-assisted extraction of antioxidative phenols from black currant juice press residues (Ribes nigrum).

Enzymatic release of phenolic compounds from pomace remaining from black currant (Ribes nigrum) juice production was examined. Treatment with each of the commercial pectinolytic enzyme preparations Grindamyl pectinase, Macer8 FJ, Macer8 R, and Pectinex BE, as well as treatment with Novozym 89 protease, significantly increased plant cell wall breakdown of the pomace. Each of the tested enzyme preparations except Grindamyl pectinase also significantly enhanced the amount of phenols extracted from the pomace. Macer8 FJ and Macer8 R decreased the extraction yields of anthocyanins, whereas Pectinex BE and Novozym 89 protease showed no effect. A decrease in pomace particle sizes from 500-1000 microm to <125 microm increased the phenol yields 1.6-5 times. Black currant pomace devoid of seeds gave significantly higher yields of phenols than pomace with seeds and seedless wine pomace. Four selected black currant pomace extracts all exerted a pronounced antioxidant activity against human LDL oxidation in vitro when tested at equimolar phenol concentrations of 7.5-10 microM.

Anthocyanins↗
PubMed2005

Effect of pectolytic enzyme preparations on the phenolic composition and antioxidant activity of asparagus juice.

Commercial pectolytic enzymes were investigated for their influence on phenolics and antioxidant activities of asparagus juice. The antioxidant activity of asparagus juice was analyzed according to 2,2'-diphenyl-l-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) methods. The enzymes, with the exception of pectinase from Rhizopus sp., contained rutinase, which hydrolyzed rutin to quercetin. Asparagus juice treated with Viscozyme had the highest quercetin content without exhibiting a significant increase in the antioxidant activity. For a pectinase from Aspergillus niger, the antioxidant activity of asparagus juice was markedly reduced. Caution should be paid in the selection of pectolytic enzyme preparations for production of antioxidant activity-rich juice.

Antioxidants↗
PubMed2005

Phenolic extraction from apple peel by cellulases from Thermobifida fusca.

With the optimization of the pretreatment conditions for the crude Thermobifida fusca cellulase activity and phenolic release from apple peel, we focused on the activity of individual purified cellulase related to the antioxidant activity. The overall phenolic release was significantly increased in a synergistic manner with combined pretreatment, not with individual pretreatment such as boiling, acid, and pectinase treatment. Approximately 60 mg of reducing sugar equivalent were produced per g of apple peel by treatment with T. fusca crude extract, and up to 3 times more reducing sugars were released when the apple peel was boiled and then treated with acid and pectinase. There was good correlation between the release of phenolics and reducing sugar by cellulase treatment and also between the amount of total phenolics and antioxidant capacity by each enzyme treatment (r2> 0.95). Among the tested enzymes purified from T. fusca cell extract, cellulase activity on apple peel was the highest with cellulase 6A (Cel 6A; 43% digestion), and the highest antioxidant capacity was obtained by incubation with Cel 6B (16 mg vitamin C equiv/g). Synergism in the activity was found from the combined treatment with Cel 6A and 6B in both cellulase activity and antioxidant capacity after 20 h of incubation. Cel 9A (progressive endocellulase) exhibited greater cellulase activity and antioxidant capacity than Cel 9A cd which lacks in cellulose-binding module, indicating that the cellulose-binding domain might play important roles in cellulolysis of apple peel. This study could provide some insights into the action mechanism of various cellulases on the digestion of cellulose-containing byproducts and expand the opportunity for cellulase utilization in the extraction of functional ingredients from the plant-derived byproducts.

Actinomycetales↗
PubMed2006

Protease-assisted clarification of black currant juice: synergy with other clarifying agents and effects on the phenol content.

Conventional clarification with gelatin and silica sol removes a considerable amount of antioxidant phenolics from berry juices. This study examined the clarification and haze-diminishing effects of alternative clarification strategies on black currant juice including centrifugation and addition of acidic protease and pectinolytic enzyme preparations and gallic acid. Centrifugation of freshly pressed juice (10,000 g for 15 min) resulted in a approximately 95% reduction of immediate turbidity and had a decreasing effect on haze development in the juice during cold storage without significantly compromising the total phenols levels. The extent of clarification and haze diminishment varied after individual treatments with five different acidic proteases, but one of the protease preparations, Enzeco, derived from Aspergillus niger, consistently tended to perform best. The individual and interactive effects on juice turbidity, total phenols, and total anthocyanin contents of clarification treatments involving the use of two selected acid proteases (Enzeco and Novozyme 89L), a pectinase (Pectinex BE 3-L), and gallic acid were evaluated in a full factorial 2(4) experimental design. Haze development during cold storage decreased when gallic acid or any of the enzyme preparations were employed individually, but negative interaction effects resulted when the pectinase was employed in combination with any of the proteases. After 28 storage days at 2 degrees C, the lowest levels of haze formation were achieved when the Enzeco protease preparation, added at 0.025 g/L, was added with 0.050 g/L of gallic acid and allowed to react in the juice for 90 min at 50 degrees C. The corresponding anthocyanin reduction was approximately 12% (compared to approximately 30% with gelatin silica sol treatment). The data support the hypothesis that phenol-protein interactions are involved in juice turbidity development during cold storage of berry juices and demonstrate that precentrifugation and protease-assisted clarification show promise as an alternative, phenolics-retaining clarification strategy in black currant juice processing.

Anthocyanins↗
PubMed2000

Demonstration of pectic polysaccharides in cork cell wall from Quercus suber L.

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and chemical analysis were used to observe the cell wall changes that occur in cork with "mancha amarela", when compared to a standard cork. To mimic the microbial attack exhibited in cork with mancha amarela, the standard cork was treated enzymatically with commercial pectinase and hemicellulase preparations. The tissues treated with pectinase were comparable with those attacked with mancha amarela. Both were composed by deformed and wrinkly cells and exhibited cell wall separation at the middle lamella level, which suggests solubilization/removal of the pectic polysaccharides. The cork cell wall material, prepared as alcohol-insoluble residue, was fractionated by hot water (Pect(H)()2(O)) and hot dilute acid (Pect(acid)). The relatively large amount of hexuronic acid and the occurrence of Ara in the SPect(H)()2(O) and SPect(acid) allow to confirm, as far as we know, for the first time the presence of pectic polysaccharides in the cell walls of cork from Quercus suber L. They accounted for ca. 1.5% of the cork and may consist of polymers with long side chains of arabinosyl residues. These polymers have to be taken into account in any realistic model of the cork cell wall. Cork with mancha amarela contained a smaller amount of pectic polysaccharides (ca. 0.5%), which confirms that the cellular separation observed by SEM is related to the degradation/removal of the middle lamella pectic polysaccharides.

Cell Wall↗
PubMed1970

Isolation and partial characterization of apiogalacturonans from the cell wall of Lemna minor.

1. A mild, reproducible extraction procedure, using 0.5% ammonium oxalate, was developed for the isolation of polysaccharides containing d-apiose from the cell wall of Lemna minor. On a dry-weight basis the polysaccharide fractions extracted with ammonium oxalate made up 14% of the material designated cell walls and contained 20% of the d-apiose originally present in the cell walls. The cell walls, as isolated, contained 83% of the d-apiose present in L. minor. 2. After extraction with ammonium oxalate, purified polysaccharides were obtained by DEAE-Sephadex column chromatography and by fractional precipitation with sodium chloride. With these procedures the material extracted at 22 degrees C could be separated into at least five polysaccharides. On a dry-weight basis two of these polysaccharides made up more than 50% of the material extracted at 22 degrees C. There was a direct relationship between the d-apiose content of the polysaccharides and their solubility in sodium chloride solutions; those of highest d-apiose content were most soluble. 3. All the polysaccharides isolated appeared to be of one general type, namely galacturonans to which were attached side chains containing d-apiose. The d-apiose content of the apiogalacturonans varied from 7.9 to 38.1%. The content of esterified d-galacturonic acid residues in all apiogalacturonans was low, being in the range 1.0-3.5%. Hydrolysis of a representative apiogalacturonan with dilute acid resulted in the complete removal of the d-apiose with little or no degradation of the galacturonan portion. 4. Treatment of polysaccharide fractions with pectinase established that those of high d-apiose content and soluble in m-sodium chloride were not degraded, whereas those of low d-apiose content and insoluble in m-sodium chloride were extensively degraded. When the d-apiose was removed from a typical pectinase-resistant polysaccharide, the remainder of the polysaccharide was readily degraded by this enzyme. 5. Periodate oxidation of representative polysaccharide fractions and apiogalacturonans and determination of the formaldehyde released showed that about 50% of the d-apiose molecules were substituted at either the 3- or the 3'-position.

Cell Wall↗
PubMed1997

Analysis of conductance responses during depolymerization of pectate by soft rot Erwinia spp. and other pectolytic bacteria isolated from potato tubers.

Different bacteria isolated from potato tubers were screened for their pectolytic properties by examining pitting in polypectate agar, recording conductance responses in polypectate medium and performing potato tuber soft rot tests. For bacteria found positive in conductimetry, the role of polygalacturonase (PG) and pectate lyase (PL) in the generation of conductance changes in a polygalacturonic acid (PGA) medium was further analysed using enzyme activity staining after gel electrophoresis and high-performance anion exchange chromatography. The extent of the conductance changes during depolymerization of PGA was dependent on the amounts of galacturonate monomers and oligomers accumulated in the medium. In comparison with an unidentified saprophyte and a Klebsiella strain, both mainly having PL activity, soft rot Erwinia spp. rapidly produced larger conductance responses, due to a combined action of multiple forms of PG and PL. The responses of Erwinia spp. were initially associated with the accumulation of large amounts of monomers and saturated dimers to heptamers, due to PG activity. Subsequently, as well as monomers and saturated dimers, large amounts of unsaturated dimers were also detected, due to PL activity. The role of PG as an important conductimetric factor was also demonstrated for a pectinase preparation derived from Aspergillus niger. Besides detection, automated conductimetric assays in pectate media may also be useful for monitoring of pectolytic activity in pectinase preparations and for screening of pectolytic activity of microorganisms under different media and growth conditions.

Chromatography, Ion Exchange↗
PubMed1998

Characterization of the Erwinia chrysanthemi expI-expR locus directing the synthesis of two N-acyl-homoserine lactone signal molecules.

The plant pathogen Erwinia chrysanthemi produces three acyl-homoserine lactones (acyl-HSLs). One has been identified as N-(3-oxohexanoyl)-homoserine lactone (OHHL), and the two others were supposed to be N (hexanoyl)-homoserine lactone (HHL) and N-(decanoyl)-homoserine lactone (DHL). The genes for a quorum-sensing signal generator (expI) and a response regulator (expR) were cloned. These genes are convergently transcribed and display high similarity to the expI-expR genes of Erwinia carotovora. ExpI is responsible for both OHHL and HHL production. Inactivation of expl had little effect on pectinase synthesis in E. chrysanthemi, as expression of only two of the pectate lyase genes, pelA and pelB, was decreased. E. chrysanthemi expR mutants still produced acyl-HSL and pectinases. However, gel shift and DNAse I footprinting experiments showed that the purified E. chrysanthemi ExpR protein binds specifically to the promoter regions of the five major pel genes. Addition of OHHL modified the ExpR-DNA bandshift profiles, indicating that ExpR interacts with OHHL and binds to DNA in different ways, depending on the OHHL concentration. Localization of the ExpR binding sites just upstream of promoter regions suggests that ExpR functions as an activator of pel expression in the presence of OHHL. The absence of a phenotype in expR mutants strongly suggests that at least an additional interchangeable ExpR homologue exists in E. chrysanthemi. Finally, transcription of expI::uidA and expR::uidA fusions is dependent on the population density, suggesting the existence of a quorum-sensing hierarchy in E. chrysanthemi. These results suggest that the expI-expR locus is part of a complex autoregulatory system that controls quorum sensing in E. chrysanthemi.

4-Butyrolactone↗
PubMed1998

Integration of the quorum-sensing system in the regulatory networks controlling virulence factor synthesis in Erwinia chrysanthemi.

The expI-expR locus drives a quorum-sensing system in the phytopathogenic bacterium, Erwinia chrysanthemi. Purified ExpR, an N-acyl homoserine lactone-responsive regulatory protein, binds to the promoter/operator region of the expI and expR genes. DNase I footprinting experiments showed that ExpR protects the regions between -66 and -40 from the P1 transcription initiation site of expl and between -54 and -18 from the expR transcription initiation site P1. The protected region overlaps the two expR promoters, P1 and P2, suggesting that ExpR exerts a negative control on its own gene expression. This assertion is reinforced by the fact that the addition of OHHL dissociates the ExpR-expR DNA complex. In contrast, the location of the ExpR binding site on the expI gene suggests an activator function, as reported for the pel genes. Moreover, ExpR is able to induce DNA bending. In vivo and in vitro studies revealed that CRP functions as an activator of expR expression, but as a repressor of expI transcription. A second level of control of expR and expI occurs through the PecS repressor, a regulator of pectinase synthesis. PecS represses expI expression, while ExpR activates pecS transcription, suggesting the existence of a mutual control between pecS and the expI-expR system in E. chrysanthemi. Regulation of pectinase synthesis in soft rot Erwinia appears to be a complex network of multiple cross-acting regulatory elements. A model that integrates these regulatory elements is proposed.

4-Butyrolactone↗
PubMed2002

Fermentation of pectin and glucose, and activity of pectin-degrading enzymes in the rabbit caecal bacterium Bifidobacterium pseudolongum.

AIMS: In a rabbit caecal bacterium Bifidobacterium pseudolongum, metabolites of pectin and glucose, and activities of enzymes involved in the degradation of pectin were assayed. Simultaneously, activities of these enzymes were assayed in a rumen pectinolytic strain of Streptococcus bovis. METHODS AND RESULTS: A strain B. pseudolongum P6 which grew best on pectin was selected among bifidobacteria isolated from the rabbit caecum. Cultures of B. pseudolongum P6 grown on pectin produced significantly less formate, lactate and ethanol, and more acetate and succinate than cultures grown on glucose. No CO2 production on pectin was observed. Pectin macromolecule was degraded by extracellular pectinase (EC 3.2.1.15). Cell extracts possessed the activity of 2-keto-3-deoxy-6-phosphogluconate (KDPG) aldolase (EC 4.1.2.14). Streptococcus bovis X4, possessed activity of exopectate lyase and pectinase, but not that of KDPG aldolase. CONCLUSIONS: Our results are consistent with the assumption that in B. pseudolongum P6 acidic products of pectin degradation are catabolized via a modified Entner-Doudoroff pathway, as shown previously in rumen pectin-utilizing bacteria. The missing KDPG aldolase activity in Strep. bovis X4 seems to be the reason for the absence of growth of this bacterium on pectin. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Information on polysaccharide metabolism in bifidobacteria is fragmentary. This study extends the knowledge on pectin metabolism in intestinal bacteria.

Aldehyde-Lyases↗
PubMed2001

The oligogalacturonate-specific porin KdgM of Erwinia chrysanthemi belongs to a new porin family.

The phytopathogenic Gram-negative bacteria Erwinia chrysanthemi secretes pectinases, which are able to degrade the pectic polymers of plant cell walls, and uses the degradation products as a carbon source for growth. We characterized a major outer membrane protein, KdgM, whose synthesis is strongly induced in the presence of pectic derivatives. The corresponding gene was characterized. Analysis of transcriptional fusions showed that the kdgM expression is controlled by the general repressor of pectinolytic genes, KdgR, by the repressor of hexuronate catabolism genes, ExuR, by the pectinase gene repressor, PecS, and by catabolite repression via the cyclic AMP receptor protein (CRP) transcriptional activator. A kdgM mutant is unable to grow on oligogalacturonides longer than trimers, and its virulence is affected. Electrophysiological experiments with planar lipid bilayers showed that KdgM behaves like a voltage-dependent porin that is slightly selective for anions and that exhibits fast block in the presence of trigalacturonate. In contrast to most porins, KdgM seems to be monomeric. KdgM has no homology with currently known porins, but proteins similar to KdgM are present in several bacteria. Therefore, these proteins might constitute a new family of porin channels.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed2002

Effects of feed enzymes on nutritive value of soyabean meal fed to broilers.

1. The effects of two enzyme products on the nutritive value of soyabean meal (SBM) were investigated with the emphasis on changes in composition of non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) along the digestive tract. Enzyme A was a commercially available product containing mainly hemicellulase, pectinase, beta-glucanase and some protease activities and Enzyme B was an experimental product with mainly beta-galactanase activity. 2. Enzymes were added at the recommended dosage (normal) and at 5 times the recommended dosage (high) to a semi-purified diet based on maize with SBM as the sole protein source. 3. The enzymes had no effect on digesta viscosity in the jejunum or ileum. 4. Enzyme A at the high dosage significantly (P<0.05) improved AMEN, reduced excreta moisture content and improved ileal protein digestibility. The addition of the same enzyme at the recommended dosage had no effect on any of the above parameters. 5. Analysis of the monosaccharide composition revealed that Enzyme A tended to reduce the amounts of rhamnose and galactose in the soluble and insoluble NSP fractions in thejejunal and ileal digesta. The reduction was significant (P<0.05) when the same enzyme was added at the high dosage. 6. Enzyme B significantly (P<0.05) improved AMEN of the diet but not the growth or the feed conversion ratio (FCR) of the birds. Enzyme B at the high dosage significantly reduced (P<0.05) ileal protein digestibility. 7. Enzyme B significantly (P<0.05) increased the amount of free sugars in thejejunum and reduced (P<0.05) the concentration of soluble NSP in the ileum. 8. Analysis of the monosaccharide composition in the jejunal and ileal digesta showed that this enzyme was highly effective in releasing galactose from both the soluble and insoluble NSP fractions. 9. It is concluded that glycanases with galactanase and pectinase activities supplemented at appropriate dosages can improve the digestibility of the NSP in SBM and increase the metabolisable energy content of the diet containing high levels of SBM. 10. Furthermore, the addition of Enzyme B at the high dosage significantly (P<0.05) reduced protein digestibility without any measurable reduction in growth performance.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed2001

Perfusion chromatography separation of the tomato fruit-specific pectin methylesterase from a semipurified commercial enzyme preparation.

A rapid and simple method was developed, using perfusion chromatography media, to separate the fruit-specific pectin methylesterase (PME) isoform from the depolymerizing enzyme polygalacturonase (PG) and other contaminating pectinases present in a commercial tomato enzyme preparation. Pectinase activities were adsorbed onto a Poros HS (a strong cation exchanger) column in 20 M HEPES buffer at pH 7.5. The fruit-specific PME was eluted from the column with 80 mM NaCl, followed by a step to 300 mM NaCl to elute PG activity. Rechromatography of the PME activity peak with a linear gradient further resolved two PME isoenzymes and removed residual traces of PG activity. The PG activity peak was further treated with lectin affinity chromatography to provide purified PG enzyme, which was separated from a salt-dependent PME (tentatively identified as a "ubiquitous-type" isoform), and a pectin acetylesterase. The later enzyme has not been reported previously in tomato. This method provides monocomponent enzymes that will be useful for studying enzyme mechanisms and for modifying pectin structure and functional properties.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Autolysis and extension of isolated walls from growing cucumber hypocotyls.

Walls isolated from cucumber hypocotyls retain autolytic activities and the ability to extend when placed under the appropriate conditions. To test whether autolysis and extension are related, we treated the walls in various ways to enhance or inhibit long-term wall extension ('creep') and measured autolysis as release of various saccharides from the wall. Except for some non-specific inhibitors of enzymatic activity, we found no correlation between wall extension and wall autolysis. Most notably, autolysis and extension differed strongly in their pH dependence. We also found that exogenous cellulases and pectinases enhanced extension in native walls, but when applied to walls previously inactivated with heat or protease these enzymes caused breakage without sustained extension. In contrast, pretreatment of walls with pectinase or cellulase, followed by boiling in methanol to inactivate the enzymes, resulted in walls with much stronger expansin-mediated extension responses. Crude protein preparations from the digestive tracts of snails enhanced extension of both native and inactivated walls, and these preparations contained expansin-like proteins (assessed by Western blotting). Our results indicate that the extension of isolated cucumber walls does not depend directly on the activity of endogenous wall-bound autolytic enzymes. The results with exogenous enzymes suggest that the hydrolysis of matrix polysaccharides may not induce wall creep by itself, but may act synergistically with expansins to enhance wall extension.

Autolysis↗
PubMed1997

The influence of micronization, dehulling, and enzyme supplementation on the nutritional value of peas for laying hens.

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of micronization (infrared heat treatment), dehulling, or enzyme supplementation on the nutritive value of three cultivars (Impala, Radley, and Sirius) of peas in laying hens. In Experiment 1, 280 White Leghorn hens were fed diets containing micronized and dehulled peas for a period of 12 wk. The dietary inclusion of peas was 600 g/kg (correction was made for the amounts of hulls in those diets that contained dehulled peas). Egg production (P < or = 0.05), feed conversion (P > or = 0.05), and egg mass output (P < or = 0.05) were lower for birds fed untreated peas. Daily feed intake, egg weight, and albumen quality were not affected. Egg production, feed conversion, and egg mass output were similar for layers fed diets containing micronized peas and those fed the wheat-soybean control diet. Except for daily feed intake, which was reduced (P < or = 0.05), dehulling did not affect (P > or = 0.05) the feeding value of peas. The efficacy of dietary inclusion of a crude enzyme (pectinase) was evaluated in another experiment (8 wk). Pectinase was included in the experimental diets at 0, 50, and 100 U/kg and fed to 252 layers. The inclusion level of peas in these diets was 650 g/kg. There was no effect (P > or = 0.05) of enzyme supplementation on all production traits. Egg production, feed conversion, and egg mass output were 81.9, 83.6, and 83.0%; 1.61, 1.59, and 1.59 and 50.0, 51.2, and 50.3 at 0, 50, and 100 U/kg levels, respectively. It can be concluded that of the treatments tested only micronization had a positive effect on the feeding value of peas for laying hens.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed1991

Effect of Macerase, Oxalic Acid, and EGTA on Deep Supercooling and Pit Membrane Structure of Xylem Parenchyma of Peach.

The object of this study was to determine if calcium cross-linking of pectin in the pit membrane of xylem parenchyma restricts water movement which results in deep supercooling. Current year shoots of ;Loring' peach (Prunus persica) were infiltrated with oxalic acid or EGTA solutions for 24 or 48 hours and then either prepared for ultrastructural analysis or subjected to differential thermal analysis. The effect of 0.25 to 1.0% pectinase (weight/volume) on deep supercooling was also investigated. The use of 5 to 50 millimolar oxalic acid and pectinase resulted in a significant reduction (flattening) of the low temperature exotherm and a distinct swelling and partial degradation of the pit membrane. EGTA (10 millimolar) for 24 or 48 hours shifted the low temperature exotherm to warmer temperatures and effected the outermost layer of the pit membrane. A hypothesis is presented on pectin-mediated regulation of deep supercooling of xylem parenchyma.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2006

Pectinolytic activity secreted by yeasts isolated from fermented citrus molasses.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to obtain improved strains of pectinolytic yeasts adapted to the conditions of an industrial fermentation process, which was continuously operated to convert citrus molasses into ethanol. METHODS AND RESULTS: The starter yeast of the industrial fermentation process was a commercial baker's yeast, which was capable of growing without forming any secretion halo of pectinase activity on solid medium. Nevertheless, isolates showing secretion of pectinolytic activity on plates were obtained from the fermentation process. The secretion of pectin-degrading activity by isolates on plates was repressed by galactose and improved as the result of colony aging on polygalacturonic acid plates at 30 degrees C. Liquefaction of polygalacturonate gels as well as the splitting of the pectin-degrading activity into a wall-linked and a supernatant fraction were also observed when the starter yeast was propagated under agitation in liquid medium containing pectin. CONCLUSIONS: Isolates capable of secreting pectinolytic activity on plates were predominant at the end of the citrus molasses fermentation. Nevertheless, the sizes of the secretion haloes on plates were not necessarily an indication of the levels of pectinolytic activity secreted in the liquid medium. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Improved pectinolytic strains of Saccharomyces can be used as a source of pectinases for a variety of applications. This organism also participates in plant deterioration processes.

Citrus↗
PubMed1994

Periplasmic disulphide bond formation is essential for cellulase secretion by the plant pathogen Erwinia chrysanthemi.

Secretion to the cell exterior of cellulase EGZ and of at least six pectinases enables the Gram-negative Erwinia chrysanthemi to cause severe plant disease. The C-terminal cellulose-binding domain (CBD) of EGZ was found to contain a disulphide bond which forms, in the periplasm, between residues Cys-325 and Cys-382. Dithiothreitol (DTT)-treatment of native EGZ showed that the disulphide bond was dispensable, both for catalysis and cellulose binding. Adding DTT to E. chrysanthemi cultures led to immediate arrest of secretion of EGZ which accumulated in the periplasm where the CBD was eventually proteolysed. Site-directed mutagenesis that affected Cys residues involved in disulphide bond formation resulted in molecules that were catalytically active and able to bind to cellulose but were no longer secreted. Instead they accumulated in the periplasm. Interestingly, the region around EGZ Cys-325 is conserved in two pectinases secreted by the same pathway as EGZ. We conclude that the conserved Cys, and possibly adjacent residues, bear essential information for EGZ to be secreted and that periplasmic disulphide bond formation is an obligatory step which provides a pre-folded functional form of EGZ with secretion competence.

Amino Acid Sequence↗