Molecular cloning and expression of two novel beta-N-acetylglucosaminidases from silkworm Bombyx mori

Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2007 Jul;71(7):1626-35. doi: 10.1271/bbb.60705. Epub 2007 Jul 7.

Abstract

Beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase is a major glycosidase involved in several physiological processes, such as fertilization, metamorphosis, glycoconjugate degradation, and glycoprotein biosynthesis in insects. A search using the Bombyx mori cDNA database revealed the existence of two putative beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase genes. Their full-length cDNAs were cloned by rapid amplification of cDNA ends and polymerase chain reaction using specific primers, and named BmGlcNAcase1 and BmGlcNAcase2. A BLAST search revealed that BmGlcNAcase1 and BmGlcNAcase2 are homologous to a beta-subunit homolog encoded by Drosophila melanogaster HEXO2 and the Spodoptera frugiperda beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase gene respectively. The recombinant proteins of BmGlcNAcase1 and BmGlcNAcase2 without putative transmembrane domains were expressed in the yeast Pichia pastoris. Both enzymes showed broad substrate specificity, and cleaved terminal N-acetylglucosamine residues from the alpha-3 and alpha-6 branches of a biantennary N-glycan substrate, and also hydrolyzed chitotriose to chitobiose.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetylglucosaminidase / biosynthesis
  • Acetylglucosaminidase / genetics*
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Bombyx / enzymology*
  • Carbohydrate Sequence
  • Cloning, Molecular*
  • DNA, Complementary
  • Larva / genetics
  • Molecular Sequence Data

Substances

  • DNA, Complementary
  • Acetylglucosaminidase