ARS | Publication request: Molecular cloning and characterization of multidomain xylanase from manure library

Submitted to: World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: June 30, 2009
Publication Date: July 13, 2009
Citation: Li, R., Kibblewhite, R.E., Orts, W.J., Lee, C.C. 2009. Molecular cloning and characterization of multidomain xylanase from manure library. World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology. doi:10:1007/s11274-009-011106

Interpretive Summary: A metagenomic approach was used to isolate genetic sequence that encodes an enzyme that will break down hemicellulose, a common component of biomass. This enzyme is categorized as a xylanase and will hydrolyze xylan into simple xylose sugars that can then be fermented into value-added products. The xylanase enyzme was over-expressed and biochemically characterized. The enzyme functions from pH 5-7 and has maximum activity at 40 degrees C.

Technical Abstract: The gene (manf-x10) encoding xylanase from an environmental genomic DNA library was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The encoded enzyme was predicted to be 467 amino acids with a molecular mass of 50.3 kD. The recombinant ManF-X10 was purified by HisTrap affinity column and showed activity over pH range 5.0–7.0 with a maximum activity at pH 7.0 on rye arabinoxylan. The enzyme was thermolabile, and activity was lost above 50°C. The apparent Km and Vmax values obtained for the hydrolysis of rye arabinoxylan at the optimum temperature (40°C) were 2.8 mg/ml and 49.5 µmol/min/mg, respectively.