Secondary structure and NMR assignments of Bacillus circulans xylanase

Bacillus circulans xylanase (BCX) is a member of the family of low molecular weight endo-beta-(1,4)-xylanases. The main-chain 1H, 13C, and 15N resonances of this 20.4-kDa enzyme were assigned using heteronuclear NMR experiments recorded on a combination of selectively and uniformly labeled protein samples. Using chemical shift, NOE, J coupling, and amide hydrogen exchange information, 14 beta-strands, arranged in a network of three beta-sheets, and a single alpha-helix were identified in BCX. The NMR-derived secondary structure and beta-sheet topology agree closely with that observed in the crystal structure of this protein. The HN of Ile 118 has a strongly upfield-shifted resonance at 4.03 ppm, indicative of a potential amide-aromatic hydrogen bond to the indole ring of Trp 71. This interaction, which is conserved in all low molecular weight xylanases of known structure, may play an important role in establishing the active site conformation of these enzymes. Following hen egg white and bacteriophage T4 lysozymes, B. circulans xylanase represents the third family of beta-glycanases for which extensive NMR assignments have been reported. These assignments provide the background for detailed studies of the mechanism of carbohydrate recognition and hydrolysis by this bacterial xylanase.