Isolation of α-glucuronidase enzyme from a rumen metagenomic library

Protein J. 2012 Mar;31(3):206-11. doi: 10.1007/s10930-012-9391-z.

Abstract

α-Glucuronidase enzymes play an essential role in the full enzymatic hydrolysis of hemicellulose. Up to this point, all genes encoding α-glucuronidase enzymes have been cloned from individual, pure culture strains. Using a high-throughput screening strategy, we have isolated the first α-glucuronidase gene (rum630-AG) from a mixed population of microorganisms. The gene was subcloned into a prokaryotic vector, and the enzyme was overexpressed and biochemically characterized. The RUM630-AG enzyme had optimum activity at pH 6.5 and 40 °C. When birchwood xylan was used as substrate, the RUM630-AG functioned synergistically with an endoxylanase enzyme to hydrolyze the substrate.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Betula
  • Cattle
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Endo-1,4-beta Xylanases / chemistry
  • Escherichia coli / genetics
  • Genomic Library*
  • Glycoside Hydrolases / chemistry
  • Glycoside Hydrolases / genetics
  • Glycoside Hydrolases / isolation & purification*
  • Glycoside Hydrolases / metabolism
  • High-Throughput Screening Assays / methods*
  • Metagenomics / methods*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Rumen / enzymology*
  • Rumen / microbiology
  • Sequence Alignment
  • Xylans / metabolism

Substances

  • Xylans
  • Glycoside Hydrolases
  • alpha-glucuronidase
  • Endo-1,4-beta Xylanases