A Novel Glycoside Hydrolase Family 5 β-1,3-1,6-Endoglucanase from Saccharophagus degradans 2-40 T and Its Transglycosylase Activity

In this study, we characterized Gly5M, originating from a marine bacterium, as a novel β-1,3-1,6-endoglucanase in glycoside hydrolase family 5 (GH5) in the Carbohydrate-Active enZyme database. Thegly5M gene encodes Gly5M, a newly characterized enzyme from GH5 subfamily 47 (GH5_47) inSaccharophagus degradans 2-40T . Thegly5M gene was cloned and overexpressed inEscherichia coli . Through analysis of the enzymatic reaction products by thin-layer chromatography, high-performance liquid chromatography, and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–tandem time of flight mass spectrometry, Gly5M was identified as a novel β-1,3-endoglucanase (EC 3.2.1.39) and bacterial β-1,6-glucanase (EC 3.2.1.75) in GH5. The β-1,3-endoglucanase and β-1,6-endoglucanase activities were detected by using laminarin (a β-1,3-glucan with β-1,6-glycosidic linkages derived from brown macroalgae) and pustulan (a β-1,6-glucan derived from fungal cell walls) as the substrates, respectively. This enzyme also showed transglycosylase activity toward β-1,3-oligosaccharides when laminarioligosaccharides were used as the substrates. Since laminarin is the major form of glucan storage in brown macroalgae, Gly5M could be used to produce glucose and laminarioligosaccharides, using brown macroalgae, for industrial purposes.IMPORTANCE In this study, we have discovered a novel β-1,3-1,6-endoglucanase with a unique transglycosylase activity, namely, Gly5M, from a marine bacterium,Saccharophagus degradans 2-40T . Gly5M was identified as the newly found β-1,3-endoglucanase and bacterial β-1,6-glucanase in GH5. Gly5M is capable of cleaving glycosidic linkages of both β-1,3-glucans and β-1,6-glucans. Gly5M also possesses a transglycosylase activity toward β-1,3-oligosacchrides. Due to the broad specificity of Gly5M, this enzyme can be used to produce glucose or high-value β-1,3- and/or β-1,6-oligosaccharides.