Structural and biochemical analyses of glycoside hydrolase family 26 β-mannanase from a symbiotic protist of the termite reticulitermes speratus

Abstract

Background: Symbiotic protists of the termite gut contribute to lignocellulosic biomass degradation. Results: A novel protistan-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. © 2014 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc. Published in the U.S.A.