Distribution and diversity of enzymes for polysaccharide degradation in fungi

Sci Rep. 2017 Mar 16;7(1):222. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-00258-w.

Abstract

Fungi are important polysaccharide degraders in the environment and for biotechnology. Here, the increasing number of sequenced fungal genomes allowed for systematic identification of genes and proteins involved in polysaccharide degradation in 218 fungi. Globally, 9,003 sequences for glycoside hydrolases and lytic polysaccharide mono-oxygenases targeting cellulose, xylan, and chitin, were identified. Although abundant in most lineages, the distribution of these enzymes is variable even between organisms from the same genus. However, most fungi are generalists possessing several enzymes for polysaccharide deconstruction. Most identified enzymes were small proteins with simple domain organization or eventually consisted of one catalytic domain associated with a non-catalytic accessory domain. Thus unlike bacteria, fungi's ability to degrade polysaccharides relies on apparent redundancy in functional traits and the high frequency of lytic polysaccharide mono-oxygenases, as well as other physiological adaptation such as hyphal growth. Globally, this study provides a comprehensive framework to further identify enzymes for polysaccharide deconstruction in fungal genomes and will help identify new strains and enzymes with potential for biotechnological application.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Catalytic Domain
  • Computational Biology / methods
  • Fungal Proteins / chemistry
  • Fungal Proteins / genetics
  • Fungal Proteins / metabolism
  • Fungi / classification
  • Fungi / enzymology*
  • Fungi / genetics
  • Genome, Fungal
  • Glycoside Hydrolases / chemistry
  • Glycoside Hydrolases / genetics*
  • Glycoside Hydrolases / metabolism
  • Mixed Function Oxygenases / chemistry
  • Mixed Function Oxygenases / genetics*
  • Mixed Function Oxygenases / metabolism
  • Phylogeny
  • Polysaccharides / chemistry*
  • Proteolysis

Substances

  • Fungal Proteins
  • Polysaccharides
  • Mixed Function Oxygenases
  • Glycoside Hydrolases