BACKGROUND: Many enzymes that digest polysaccharides contain separate polysaccharide-binding domains. Structures have been previously determined for a number of cellulose-binding domains (CBDs) from cellulases. RESULTS: The family IIb xylan-binding domain 1 (XBD1) from Cellulomonas fimi xylanase D is shown to bind xylan but not cellulose. Its structure is similar to that of the homologous family IIa CBD from C. fimi Cex, consisting of two four-stranded beta sheets that form a twisted 'beta sandwich'. The xylan-binding site is a groove made from two tryptophan residues that stack against the faces of the sugar rings, plus several hydrogen-bonding polar residues. CONCLUSIONS: The biggest difference between the family IIa and IIb domains is that in the former the solvent-exposed tryptophan sidechains are coplanar, whereas in the latter they are perpendicular, forming a twisted binding site. The binding sites are therefore complementary to the secondary structures of the ligands cellulose and xylan. XBD1 and CexCBD represent a striking example of two proteins that have high sequence similarity but a different function.
BACKGROUND: Many enzymes that digest polysaccharides contain separate polysaccharide-binding domains. Structures have been previously determined for a number of cellulose-binding domains (CBDs) from cellulases. RESULTS: The family IIb xylan-binding domain 1 (XBD1) from Cellulomonas fimi xylanase D is shown to bind xylan but not cellulose. Its structure is similar to that of the homologous family IIa CBD from C. fimi Cex, consisting of two four-stranded beta sheets that form a twisted 'beta sandwich'. The xylan-binding site is a groove made from two tryptophan residues that stack against the faces of the sugar rings, plus several hydrogen-bonding polar residues. CONCLUSIONS: The biggest difference between the family IIa and IIb domains is that in the former the solvent-exposed tryptophan sidechains are coplanar, whereas in the latter they are perpendicular, forming a twisted binding site. The binding sites are therefore complementary to the secondary structures of the ligands cellulose and xylan. XBD1 and CexCBD represent a striking example of two proteins that have high sequence similarity but a different function.
Authors: Elizabeth A Snell; Nina M Brooke; William R Taylor; Didier Casane; Hervé Philippe; Peter W H Holland Journal: Proc Biol Sci Date: 2006-02-22 Impact factor: 5.349
Authors: M Angela Sainz-Polo; Beatriz González; Margarita Menéndez; F I Javier Pastor; Julia Sanz-Aparicio Journal: J Biol Chem Date: 2015-05-22 Impact factor: 5.157
Authors: Stuart J Jamieson; Michael P Williamson; Maher Abou-Hachem; Karlsson Eva Nordberg; Peter J Simpson Journal: J Biomol NMR Date: 2002-02 Impact factor: 2.835