A Barley xyloglucan xyloglucosyl transferase covalently links xyloglucan, cellulosic substrates, and (1,3;1,4)-beta-D-glucans.

Molecular interactions between wall polysaccharides, which include cellulose and a range of noncellulosic polysaccharides such as xyloglucans and (1,3;1,4)-beta-D-glucans, are fundamental to cell wall properties. These interactions have been assumed to be noncovalent in nature in most cases. Here we show that a highly purified barley xyloglucan xyloglucosyl transferase HvXET5 (EC 2.4.1.207), a member of the GH16 group of glycoside hydrolases, catalyzes the in vitro formation of covalent linkages between xyloglucans and cellulosic substrates and between xyloglucans and (1,3;1,4)-beta-D-glucans. The rate of covalent bond formation catalyzed by HvXET5 with hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC) is comparable with that on tamarind xyloglucan, whereas that with (1,3; 1,4)-beta-D-glucan is significant but slower. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometric analyses showed that oligosaccharides released from the fluorescent HEC:xyloglucan conjugate by a specific (1,4)-beta-D-glucan endohydrolase consisted of xyloglucan substrate with one, two, or three glucosyl residues attached. Ancillary peaks contained hydroxyethyl substituents (m/z 45) and confirmed that the parent material consisted of HEC covalently linked with xyloglucan. Similarly, partial hydrolysis of the (1,3;1,4)-beta-D-glucan:xyloglucan conjugate by a specific (1,3;1,4)-beta-D-glucan endohydrolase revealed the presence of a series of fluorescent oligosaccharides that consisted of the fluorescent xyloglucan acceptor substrate linked covalently with 2-6 glucosyl residues. These findings raise the possibility that xyloglucan endo-transglucosylases could link different polysaccharides in vivo and hence influence cell wall strength, flexibility, and porosity.