Structural and Biochemical Analyses of Glycoside Hydrolase Family 26 β-Mannanase from a Symbiotic Protist of the Termite Reticulitermes speratus

Termites and their symbiotic protists have established a prominent dual lignocellulolytic system, which can be applied to the biorefinery process. One of the major components of lignocellulose from conifers is glucomannan, which comprises a heterogeneous combination of β-1,4-linked mannose and glucose. Mannanases are known to hydrolyze the internal linkage of the glucomannan backbone, but the specific mechanism by which they recognize and accommodate heteropolysaccharides is currently unclear. Here, we report biochemical and structural analyses of glycoside hydrolase family 26 mannanase C (RsMan26C) from a symbiotic protist of the termite Reticulitermes speratus. RsMan26C was characterized based on its catalytic efficiency toward glucomannan, compared with pure mannan. The crystal structure of RsMan26C complexed with gluco-manno-oligosaccharide(s) explained its specificities for glucose and mannose at subsites −5 and −2, respectively, in addition to accommodation of both glucose and mannose at subsites −3 and −4. RsMan26C has a long open cleft with a hydrophobic platform of Trp94 at subsite −5, facilitating enzyme binding to polysaccharides. Notably, a unique oxidized Met85 specifically interacts with the equatorial O-2 of glucose at subsite −3. Our results collectively indicate that specific recognition and accommodation of glucose at the distal negative subsites confers efficient degradation of the heteropolysaccharide by mannanase. Background: Symbiotic protists of the termite gut contribute to lignocellulosic biomass degradation. Results: A novel protistan β-mannanase efficiently degrades glucomannan and displays glucose/mannose binding properties when complexed with gluco-manno-oligosaccharide. Conclusion: Specific recognition and accommodation of glucose at the distal - subsites provides the structural basis for activity against glucomannan. Significance: The mechanism underlying heteropolysaccharide recognition by mannanase has been clarified.