Loosenin, a novel protein with cellulose-disrupting activity from Bjerkandera adusta.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Expansins and expansin-like proteins loosen cellulose microfibrils, possibly through the rupture of intramolecular hydrogen bonds. Together with the use of lignocellulolytic enzymes, these proteins are potential molecular tools to treat plant biomass to improve saccharification yields.

Results

Here we describe a new type of expansin-related fungal protein that we have called loosenin. Its corresponding gene, loos1, from the basidiomycete Bjerkandera adusta, was cloned and heterologously expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. LOOS1 is distantly related to plant expansins through the shared presence of a DPBB domain, however domain II found in plant expansins is absent. LOOS1 binds tightly to cellulose and chitin, and we demonstrate that cotton fibers become suscept

SUBMITTER: Quiroz-Castaneda RE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3050684 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature