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Functional insights into the role of novel type I cohesin and dockerin domains from Clostridium thermocellum

Lookup NU author(s): Benedita Pinheiro, Emeritus Professor Harry Gilbert, Dr David Bolam

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Abstract

Cellulosomes, synthesized by anaerobic microorganisms such as Clostridium thermocellum, are remarkably complex nanomachines that efficiently degrade plant cell wall polysaccharides. Cellulosome assembly results from the interaction of type I dockerin domains, present on the catalytic subunits, and the cohesin domains of a large non-catalytic integrating protein that acts as a molecular scaffold. In general, type I dockerins contain two distinct cohesin-binding interfaces that appear to display identical ligand specificities. Inspection of the C. thermocellum genome reveals 72 dockerin-containing proteins. In four of these proteins, Cthe_0258, Cthe_0435, Cthe_0624 and Cthe_0918, there are significant differences in the residues that comprise the two cohesin-binding sites of the type I dockerin domains. In addition, a protein of unknown function (Cthe_0452), containing a C-terminal cohesin highly similar to the equivalent domains present in C. thermocellum-integrating protein (CipA), was also identified. In the present study, the ligand specificities of the newly identified cohesin and dockerin domains are described. The results revealed that Cthe_0452 is located at the C. thermocellum cell surface and thus the protein was renamed as OlpC. The dockerins of Cthe_0258 and Cthe_0435 recognize, preferentially, the OlpC cohesin and thus these enzymes are believed to be predominantly located at the surface of the bacterium. By contrast, the dockerin domains of Cthe_0624 and Cthe_0918 are primarily cellulosomal since they bind preferentially to the cohesins of CipA. OlpC, which is a relatively abundant protein, may also adopt a 'warehouse' function by transiently retaining cellulosomal enzymes at the cell surface before they are assembled on to the multienzyme complex.


Publication metadata

Author(s): Pinheiro BA, Gilbert HJ, Sakka K, Sakka K, Fernandes VO, Prates JAM, Alves VD, Bolam DN, Ferreira LMA, Fontes CMGA

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Biochemical Journal

Year: 2009

Volume: 424

Pages: 375-384

ISSN (print): 0264-6021

ISSN (electronic): 1470-8728

Publisher: Portland Press Ltd.

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1042/BJ20091152

DOI: 10.1042/BJ20091152


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Funding

Funder referenceFunder name
SFRH/BD/25439/05Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia (Portugal)
PPCDT/BIA-PRO/59118/2004Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia (Portugal)
PTDC/BIA-PRO/69732/2006Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia (Portugal)

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