4,6-α-Glucanotransferase activity occurs more widespread in Lactobacillus strains and constitutes a separate GH70 subfamily

Appl Microbiol Biotechnol. 2013 Jan;97(1):181-93. doi: 10.1007/s00253-012-3943-1. Epub 2012 Feb 25.

Abstract

Family 70 glycoside hydrolase glucansucrase enzymes exclusively occur in lactic acid bacteria and synthesize a wide range of α-D-glucan (abbreviated as α-glucan) oligo- and polysaccharides. Of the 47 characterized GH70 enzymes, 46 use sucrose as glucose donor. A single GH70 enzyme was recently found to be inactive with sucrose and to utilize maltooligosaccharides [(1→4)-α-D-glucooligosaccharides] as glucose donor substrates for α-glucan synthesis, acting as a 4,6-α-glucanotransferase (4,6-αGT) enzyme. Here, we report the characterization of two further GH70 4,6-αGT enzymes, i.e., from Lactobacillus reuteri strains DSM 20016 and ML1, which use maltooligosaccharides as glucose donor. Both enzymes cleave α1→4 glycosidic linkages and add the released glucose moieties one by one to the non-reducing end of growing linear α-glucan chains via α1→6 glycosidic linkages (α1→4 to α1→6 transfer activity). In this way, they convert pure maltooligosaccharide substrates into linear α-glucan product mixtures with about 50% α1→6 glycosidic bonds (isomalto/maltooligosaccharides). These new α-glucan products may provide an exciting type of carbohydrate for the food industry. The results show that 4,6-αGTs occur more widespread in family GH70 and can be considered as a GH70 subfamily. Sequence analysis allowed identification of amino acid residues in acceptor substrate binding subsites +1 and +2, differing between GH70 GTF and 4,6-αGT enzymes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Binding Sites
  • DNA, Bacterial / chemistry
  • DNA, Bacterial / genetics
  • Glucans / metabolism*
  • Glycogen Debranching Enzyme System / genetics*
  • Glycogen Debranching Enzyme System / metabolism*
  • Limosilactobacillus reuteri / enzymology*
  • Limosilactobacillus reuteri / genetics
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Oligosaccharides / metabolism*
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA

Substances

  • DNA, Bacterial
  • Glucans
  • Glycogen Debranching Enzyme System
  • Oligosaccharides
  • maltooligosaccharides
  • 4 alpha-glucanotransferase