Expression of the β-Glucanase Gene from Paenibacillus jamilae Bg1 in Pichia pastoris and Characteristics of the Recombinant Enzyme

The isolation, heterologous expression, and characterization of a new, thermostable beta-glucanase from Paenibacillus jamilae are described. The bgl26 gene from the P. jamilae Bg1 VKPM B-13 093 strain, which consists of 714 nucleotides, encodes endo-1,3-1,4-beta-glucanase (EC 3.2.1.73), which contains 213 amino acids and 24 residues of the putative signal peptide in the N-terminal region. The nucleotide sequence of the bgl26 gene and the amino acid sequence of the mature Bgl26 protein have the greatest homology with the sequences of the Paenibacillus macerans endo-1,3-1,4-beta-glucanase (82 and 88%, respectively). A gene fragment encoding the mature protein was expressed in Pichia pastoris. The purified recombinant enzyme Bgl26 was active against barley beta-glucan. The optimal pH for the enzyme activity was 7.0, and the optimum temperature range was 40-45 degrees C. The specific beta-glucanase activity was at the level of 6650 U/mg of protein; K-M and V-max were equal to 6.4 +/- 0.3 mg/mL and 9450.1 +/- 471.2 mu mol/(min mg), respectively. The recombinant protein Bgl26 was characterized by a high pH and thermal stability, as well as resistance to digestive enzymes. It was also shown that Co2+ ions have a positive effect on enzyme activity.