Discovery and mechanistic investigation of carbohydrate-active enzymes from the gut microbiota of Manatee

• Grant number: 21/09793-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: July 01, 2022
• End date: June 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biochemistry - Chemistry of Macromolecules
• Principal Investigator: Mário Tyago Murakami
• Grantee: Marcele Pandeló Martins
• Host Institution: Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materiais (CNPEM). Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação (Brasil). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 21/04891-3 - Enzymatic mechanisms from the microbiome of aquatic herbivores for depolymerization and metabolism of complex carbohydrates, AP.TEM

Abstract

The production of bioactive compounds, alternative chemicals and biofuels from lignocellulosic materials is considered one of the most promising strategies to replace non-renewable petrochemical routes. One of the main challenges is the depolymerization of its components, such as cellulose and hemicellulose, into fermentable sugars. Microorganisms found in natural environments have a great capacity to obtain energy from lignocellulosic biomass, producing an arsenal of enzymes that degrade complex carbohydrates. Several of these enzymes have been identified in metagenomes from microbial communities associated with animal digestive systems; however, the microbiota of aquatic herbivores remains largely underexplored. Brazilian aquatic environments are rich in plant polysaccharides from a broad spectrum of aquatic, semi-aquatic and algae plants. Thus, the microbiomes of aquatic herbivores may reflect this diversity, possibly revealing novel molecular strategies to deconstruct complex carbohydrates. This project aims to prospect new carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) from the gut microbiota of Amazonian Manatee by integrating omics approaches with carbohydrate and structural enzymology. The information generated in this project will advance our knowledge about the molecular strategies employed by the Manatee microbiota to depolymerize and utilize complex carbohydrates and could lead to the discovery of new targets with potential biotechnological applications. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

MANDELLI, FERNANDA; MARTINS, MARCELE PANDELO; CHINAGLIA, MARIANA; DE LIMA, EVANDRO ANTONIO; MORAIS, MARIANA ABRAHAO BUENO; LIMA, TATIANI BRENELLI; CABRAL, LUCELIA; PIROLLA, RENAN AUGUSTO SIQUEIRA; FUZITA, FELIPE JUN; PAIXAO, DOUGLAS ANTONIO ALVAREDO; et al. A functionally augmented carbohydrate utilization locus from herbivore gut microbiota fueled by dietary β-glucans. NPJ BIOFILMS AND MICROBIOMES, v. 10, n. 1, p. 13-pg., 2024-10-14. (21/04891-3, 22/03059-5, 21/09793-0)