Identification and characterization of a multidomain hyperthermophilic cellulase from an archaeal enrichment

Joel E. Graham, Melinda E. Clark, Dana C. Nadler, Sarah Huffer, Harshal A. Chokhawala, Sara E. Rowland, Harvey W. Blanch, Douglas S. Clark () and Frank T. Robb ()
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Joel E. Graham: Energy Biosciences Institute, University of California
Melinda E. Clark: Energy Biosciences Institute, University of California
Dana C. Nadler: Energy Biosciences Institute, University of California
Sarah Huffer: Energy Biosciences Institute, University of California
Harshal A. Chokhawala: Energy Biosciences Institute, University of California
Sara E. Rowland: Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Columbus Center
Harvey W. Blanch: Energy Biosciences Institute, University of California
Douglas S. Clark: Energy Biosciences Institute, University of California
Frank T. Robb: Energy Biosciences Institute, University of California

Nature Communications, 2011, vol. 2, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract Despite extensive studies on microbial and enzymatic lignocellulose degradation, relatively few Archaea are known to deconstruct crystalline cellulose. Here we describe a consortium of three hyperthermophilic archaea enriched from a continental geothermal source by growth at 90 °C on crystalline cellulose, representing the first instance of Archaea able to deconstruct lignocellulose optimally above 90 °C. Following metagenomic studies on the consortium, a 90 kDa, multidomain cellulase, annotated as a member of the TIM barrel glycosyl hydrolase superfamily, was characterized. The multidomain architecture of this protein is uncommon for hyperthermophilic endoglucanases, and two of the four domains of the enzyme have no characterized homologues. The recombinant enzyme has optimal activity at 109 °C, a half-life of 5 h at 100 °C, and resists denaturation in strong detergents, high-salt concentrations, and ionic liquids. Cellulases active above 100 °C may assist in biofuel production from lignocellulosic feedstocks by hydrolysing cellulose under conditions typically employed in biomass pretreatment.

Date: 2011
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms1373

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