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Updated: Aug 18, 2026

High Throughput Screening of Fungal Endoglucanase Activity in Escherichia coli
Published on: August 13, 2011
Hydrolase and glycosynthase activity of endo-1,3-beta-glucanase from the thermophile Pyrococcus furiosus
J van Lieshout1, M Faijes, J Nieto
1Laboratory for Microbiology, Department of Agrotechnology and Food Sciences, Wageningen University, Hesselink van Suchtelenweg 4, 6703 CT, Wageningen, The Netherlands. johan.vanlieshout@wur.nl
Abstract:
Pyrococcus furiosus laminarinase (LamA, PF0076) is an endo-glycosidase that hydrolyzes beta-1,3-glucooligosaccharides, but not beta-1,4-gluco-oligosaccharides. We studied the specificity of LamA towards small saccharides by using 4-methylumbelliferyl beta-glucosides with different linkages. Besides endo-activity, wild-type LamA has some exo-activity, and catalyzes the hydrolysis of mixed-linked oligosaccharides (Glcbeta4Glcbeta3Glcbeta-MU (Glc = glucosyl, MU = 4-methylumbelliferyl)) with both beta-1,4 and beta-1,3 specificities. The LamA mutant E170A had severely reduced hydrolytic activity, which is consistent with Glu170 being the catalytic nucleophile. The E170A mutant was active as a glycosynthase, catalyzing the condensation of alpha-laminaribiosyl fluoride to different acceptors. The best condensation yields were found at pH 6.5 and 50 degrees C, but did not exceed 30%. Depending on the acceptor, the synthase generated either a beta-1,3 or a beta-1,4 linkage.
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