Mutations in PilZ domains of newly discovered bacterial β-(1,3;1,4)-mixed linkage glucan synthases modulate polysaccharide productionShow others and affiliations
2026 (English)In: Carbohydrate Polymers, ISSN 0144-8617, E-ISSN 1879-1344, Vol. 380, article id 125076Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]
β-(1,3;1,4)-Mixed linkage glucans (MLGs) are linear homopolysaccharides composed of β-1,4-linked glucose oligomers interconnected by β-1,3 linkages. While previous studies have characterised MLG synthases from Romboutsia ilealis and Clostridium ventriculi, the broader diversity of these enzymes remains underexplored. To expand the repertoire of bacterial MLG synthases, nine glycosyltransferase family 2 (GT2) candidates homologous to R. ilealis GT2 were identified and heterologously expressed in an engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain. Two candidates, Clostridium nigeriense GT2 (CnGT2) and Clostridium cuniculi GT2 (CcGT2), catalysed the formation of MLG polymers, albeit at reduced levels relative to the reference enzyme. Structural analysis and mutagenesis identified the PilZ domain's D/NxSxxG motif as a critical regulator of synthase activity. These findings provide a structural basis for optimizing bacterial MLG synthases, facilitating the development of efficient microbial production platforms.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Elsevier BV , 2026. Vol. 380, article id 125076
National Category
Microbiology Biochemistry
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-377014DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2026.125076ISI: 001691419800001Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-105029544330OAI: oai:DiVA.org:kth-377014DiVA, id: diva2:2040309
Funder
KTH Royal Institute of Technology
Note
QC 20260220
2026-02-202026-02-202026-02-27Bibliographically approved