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Microbial cell factories2022; 21(1); 38; doi: 10.1186/s12934-022-01767-8

Oxidative cleavage of cellulose in the horse gut.

Abstract: Lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) belonging to the auxiliary activity 9 family (AA9) are widely found in aerobic fungi. These enzymes are O-dependent copper oxidoreductases that catalyze the oxidative cleavage of cellulose. However, studies that have investigated AA9 LPMOs of aerobic fungi in the herbivore gut are scare. To date, whether oxidative cleavage of cellulose occurs in the herbivore gut is unknown. Results: We report for the first time experimental evidence that AA9 LPMOs from aerobic thermophilic fungi catalyze the oxidative cleavage of cellulose present in the horse gut to C1-oxidized cellulose and C1- and C4-oxidized cello-oligosaccharides. We isolated and identified three thermophilic fungi and measured their growth and AA9 LPMO expression at 37 °C in vitro. We also assessed the expression and the presence of AA9 LPMOs from thermophilic fungi in situ. Finally, we used two recombinant AA9 LPMOs and a native AA9 LPMO from thermophilic fungi to cleave cellulose to yield C1-oxidized products at 37 °C in vitro. Conclusions: The oxidative cleavage of cellulose occurs in the horse gut. This finding will broaden the known the biological functions of the ubiquitous LPMOs and aid in determining biological significance of aerobic thermophilic fungi.
Publication Date: 2022-03-12 PubMed ID: 35279161PubMed Central: PMC8917663DOI: 10.1186/s12934-022-01767-8Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research provides experimental evidence for the first time that enzymes called Lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) from certain fungi can break down cellulose within a horse’s gut. These findings offer new insights into the biological roles of both LPMOs and these specific fungi.

Lytic Polysaccharide Monooxygenases and Their Role

  • Lytic Polysaccharide Monooxygenases (LPMOs) are enzymes that belong to the auxiliary activity 9 family (AA9) and are commonly found in aerobic fungi. These enzymes use oxygen and copper to catalyze the oxidative cleavage (breakdown) of cellulose.
  • Previous studies investigating the functions of these enzymes in the guts of herbivores have been limited, leaving a gap in understanding whether they facilitate the breakdown of cellulose within these environments.

Study Details and Results

  • In this study, the researchers demonstrated that AA9 LPMOs from heat-friendly (thermophilic) fungi can break down cellulose present in a horse’s gut. This breakdown produces C1-oxidized cellulose and C1- and C4-oxidized cello-oligosaccharides, all simpler compounds compared to the original cellulose.
  • The team isolated and identified three thermophilic fungi in the horse gut and measured their growth and AA9 LPMO expression at body temperature (37°C) in a laboratory setting (in vitro). They concurrently assessed the expression and presence of these enzymes from the fungi within the horse gut itself (in situ).
  • Additionally, they used both engineered (recombinant) and native AA9 LPMOs from these fungi to perform cellulose breakdown in vitro, confirming the ability of these enzymes to produce C1-oxidized compounds at body temperature.

Conclusion and Implications

  • The analysis confirmed that cellulose does indeed undergo an oxidative cleavage process within a horse’s gut, effectively enhancing our understanding of the diverse biological roles that LPMOs play beyond those already known.
  • In addition, these findings emphasize the potential biological significance of thermophilic fungi in horses, offering a new dimension for further investigation into the functions and impacts of these organisms in both the horse gut and potentially in other herbivorous species as well.

Cite This Article

APA
Liu N, Yu W, Guo X, Chen J, Xia D, Yu J, Li D. (2022). Oxidative cleavage of cellulose in the horse gut. Microb Cell Fact, 21(1), 38. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12934-022-01767-8

Publication

ISSN: 1475-2859
NlmUniqueID: 101139812
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 21
Issue: 1
Pages: 38
PII: 38

Researcher Affiliations

Liu, Ning
  • Department of Mycology, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong, 271018, China.
Yu, Weishuai
  • Department of Mycology, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong, 271018, China.
Guo, Xiuna
  • Department of Mycology, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong, 271018, China.
Chen, Jinyin
  • Department of Mycology, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong, 271018, China.
Xia, Donghui
  • Department of Mycology, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong, 271018, China.
Yu, Jie
  • Department of Mycology, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong, 271018, China.
Li, Duochuan
  • Department of Mycology, Shandong Agricultural University, Taian, Shandong, 271018, China. lidc20@163.com.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Cellulose / metabolism
  • Horses
  • Mixed Function Oxygenases / metabolism
  • Oxidative Stress
  • Oxidoreductases / metabolism
  • Polysaccharides / metabolism

Grant Funding

  • 2015BAD15B05 / Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China
  • 31571949 / National Natural Science Foundation of China

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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