Trichoderma harzianum Produces a New Thermally Stable Acid Phosphatase, with Potential for Biotechnological Application

PLoS One. 2016 Mar 3;11(3):e0150455. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0150455. eCollection 2016.

Abstract

Acid phosphatases (ACPases) are produced by a variety of fungi and have gained attention due their biotechnological potential in industrial, diagnosis and bioremediation processes. These enzymes play a specific role in scavenging, mobilization and acquisition of phosphate, enhancing soil fertility and plant growth. In this study, a new ACPase from Trichoderma harzianum, named ACPase II, was purified and characterized as a glycoprotein belonging to the acid phosphatase family. ACPase II presents an optimum pH and temperature of 3.8 and 65 °C, respectively, and is stable at 55 °C for 120 min, retaining 60% of its activity. The enzyme did not require metal divalent ions, but was inhibited by inorganic phosphate and tungstate. Affinity for several phosphate substrates was observed, including phytate, which is the major component of phosphorus in plant foods. The inhibition of ACPase II by tungstate and phosphate at different pH values is consistent with the inability of the substrate to occupy its active site due to electrostatic contacts that promote conformational changes, as indicated by fluorescence spectroscopy. A higher affinity for tungstate rather than phosphate at pH 4.0 was observed, in accordance with its highest inhibitory effect. Results indicate considerable biotechnological potential of the ACPase II in soil environments.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acid Phosphatase / biosynthesis*
  • Acid Phosphatase / chemistry
  • Biotechnology / methods*
  • Fungal Proteins / biosynthesis*
  • Fungal Proteins / chemistry
  • Glycosylation
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Industrial Microbiology / methods
  • Phosphates / chemistry
  • Protein Conformation
  • Spectrometry, Fluorescence
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization
  • Static Electricity
  • Temperature
  • Trichoderma / enzymology*
  • Tungsten Compounds / chemistry

Substances

  • Fungal Proteins
  • Phosphates
  • Tungsten Compounds
  • Acid Phosphatase
  • tungstate

Grants and funding

Dr Sonia Maria de Freitas was supported by: Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (Proc Number 564000/2010-8); Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Distrito Federal (193.000.490/2011); Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (309244/2013-7); Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos. Amanda Araujo Souza was supported by: Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior. Cirano Ulhoa was supported by: Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Goiás. Azadeh Mehdad was supported by: Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico.