1,2-alpha-l-Fucosynthase: a glycosynthase derived from an inverting alpha-glycosidase with an unusual reaction mechanism

FEBS Lett. 2008 Nov 12;582(27):3739-43. doi: 10.1016/j.febslet.2008.09.054. Epub 2008 Oct 7.

Abstract

Fucosyloligosaccharides have great therapeutic potential. Here we present a new route for synthesizing a Fucalpha1,2Gal linkage by introducing glycosynthase technology into 1,2-alpha-l-fucosidase. The enzyme adopts a unique reaction mechanism, in which asparagine-423 activated by aspartic acid-766 acts as a base while asparagine-421 fixes both a catalytic water and glutamic acid-566 (an acid) in the proper orientations. Glycosynthase activity of N421G, N423G, and D766G mutants was examined using beta-fucosyl fluoride and lactose, and among them, the D766G mutant most effectively synthesized 2'-fucosyllactose. 1,2-alpha-l-Fucosynthase is the first glycosynthase derived from an inverting alpha-glycosidase and from a glycosidase with an unusual reaction mechanism.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Bacterial Proteins / chemistry*
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bifidobacterium / enzymology
  • Catalysis
  • Hydrolysis
  • Mutagenesis, Site-Directed
  • Mutation
  • Protein Conformation
  • Trisaccharides / biosynthesis*
  • alpha-L-Fucosidase / biosynthesis
  • alpha-L-Fucosidase / chemistry*
  • alpha-L-Fucosidase / genetics

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Trisaccharides
  • alpha-L-Fucosidase
  • 2'-fucosyllactose