Recombinant Expression and Characterization of the Cytoplasmic Rice β-Glucosidase Os1BGlu4

The Os1BGlu4 β-glucosidase is the only glycoside hydrolase family 1 member in rice that is predicted to be localized in the cytoplasm. To characterize the biochemical function of rice Os1BGlu4, the Os 1 bglu 4 cDNA was cloned and used to express a thioredoxin fusion protein in Escherichia coli . After removal of the tag, the purified recombinant Os1BGlu4 (rOs1BGlu4) exhibited an optimum pH of 6.5, which is consistent with Os1BGlu4's cytoplasmic localization. Fluorescence microscopy of maize protoplasts and tobacco leaf cells expressing green fluorescent protein-tagged Os1BGlu4 confirmed the cytoplasmic localization. Purified rOs1BGlu4 can hydrolyze p -nitrophenyl ( p NP)- β - d -glucoside ( p NPGlc) efficiently ( k cat / K m  =  17.9 mM −1 ·s −1 ), and hydrolyzes p NP- β - d -fucopyranoside with about 50% the efficiency of the p NPGlc. Among natural substrates tested, rOs1BGlu4 efficiently hydrolyzed β-(1,3)-linked oligosaccharides of degree of polymerization (DP) 2–3, and β-(1,4)-linked oligosaccharide of DP 3–4, and hydrolysis of salicin, esculin and p -coumaryl alcohol was also detected. Analysis of the hydrolysis of p NP- β -cellobioside showed that the initial hydrolysis was between the two glucose molecules, and suggested rOs1BGlu4 transglucosylates this substrate. At 10 mM p NPGlc concentration, rOs1BGlu4 can transfer the glucosyl group of p NPGlc to ethanol and p NPGlc. This transglycosylation activity suggests the potential use of Os1BGlu4 for p NP-oligosaccharide and alkyl glycosides synthesis.