Identification of the catalytic nucleophile of endoglucanase I from Fusarium oxysporum by mass spectrometry

L F Mackenzie, G J Davies, M Schulein, S G Withers

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Abstract

The endoglucanase EG I from Fusarium oxysporum catalyzes the hydrolysis of cellulose via a double-displacement mechanism involving the formation and hydrolysis of a glycosyl-enzyme intermediate. Treatment of EG I with 2',4'-dinitrophenyl-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-beta-D-cellobioside results in the time-dependent inactivation of the enzyme (k(i) = 1.36 min(-1), K-i = 0.88 mM) via trapping of a covalent 2-deoxy-2-fluorocellobiosyl-enzyme intermediate. This intermediate is, however, catalytically competent undergoing transglycosylation, thus reactivation, in the presence of D-cellobiose. Analysis of a peptic digest of the inactivated enzyme by HPLC/ESMS/MS in the neutral loss mode allowed identification of a 2-fluorocellobiosyl-labeled peptide containing Glu197. This was confirmed by comparative mapping studies and subsequent Edman degradation analysis. This residue is completely conserved in glycosidase family 7, to which EG I belongs, consistent with its key role as the catalytic nucleophile.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)5893-5901
Number of pages9
JournalBiochemistry
Volume36
Issue number19
Publication statusPublished - 13 May 1997

Keywords

  • ACTIVE-SITE NUCLEOPHILE
  • ACID-SEQUENCE SIMILARITIES
  • BETA-GLUCOSIDASE
  • CLOSTRIDIUM-THERMOCELLUM
  • ENZYME INTERMEDIATE
  • CRYSTAL-STRUCTURE
  • MECHANISMS
  • CELLULASES
  • CLASSIFICATION
  • GLYCOSIDASE

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