Structure of the catalytic domain of the Clostridium thermocellum cellulase CelT

Acta Crystallogr D Biol Crystallogr. 2012 Mar;68(Pt 3):310-20. doi: 10.1107/S0907444912001990. Epub 2012 Feb 14.

Abstract

Cellulases hydrolyze cellulose, a major component of plant cell walls, to oligosaccharides and monosaccharides. Several Clostridium species secrete multi-enzyme complexes (cellulosomes) containing cellulases. C. thermocellum CelT, a family 9 cellulase, lacks the accessory module(s) necessary for activity, unlike most other family 9 cellulases. Therefore, characterization of the CelT structure is essential in order to understand its catalytic mechanism. Here, the crystal structure of free CelTΔdoc, the catalytic domain of CelT, is reported at 2.1 Å resolution. Its structure differs in several aspects from those of other family 9 cellulases. CelTΔdoc contains an additional α-helix, α-helices of increased length and two additional surface-exposed β-strands. It also contains three calcium ions instead of one as found in C. cellulolyticum Cel9M. CelTΔdoc also has two flexible loops at the open end of its active-site cleft. Movement of these loops probably allows the substrate to access the active site. CelT is stable over a wide range of pH and temperature conditions, suggesting that CelT could be used to convert cellulose biomass into biofuel.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Binding Sites
  • Catalytic Domain
  • Cellulase / chemistry*
  • Cellulase / metabolism
  • Cellulosomes / enzymology*
  • Clostridium thermocellum / enzymology*
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Enzyme Stability
  • Glycoside Hydrolases / chemistry*
  • Glycoside Hydrolases / metabolism
  • Protein Conformation
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary

Substances

  • Glycoside Hydrolases
  • Cellulase

Associated data

  • PDB/2YIK