Expanding the Knowledge on Lignocellulolytic and Redox Enzymes of Worker and Soldier Castes from the Lower Termite Coptotermes gestroi

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Franco Cairo, Joao P. L. ; Carazzolle, Marcelo F. ; Leonardo, Flavia C. ; Mofatto, Luciana S. ; Brenelli, Livia B. ; Goncalves, Thiago A. ; Uchima, Cristiane A. ; Domingues, Romania R. ; Alvarez, Thabata M. ; Tramontina, Robson ; Vidal, Ramon O. ; Costa, Fernando F. ; Costa-Leonardo, Ana M. ; Paes Leme, Adriana F. ; Pereira, Goncalo A. G. ; Squina, Fabio M.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY; v. 7, OCT 13 2016.
• Web of Science Citations: 8

Abstract

Termites are considered one of the most efficient decomposers of lignocelluloses on Earth due to their ability to produce, along with its microbial symbionts, a repertoire of carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes). Recently, a set of Pro-oxidant, Antioxidant, and Detoxification enzymes (PAD) were also correlated with the metabolism of carbohydrates and lignin in termites. The lower termite Coptotermes gestroi is considered the main urban pest in Brazil, causing damage to wood constructions. Recently, analysis of the enzymatic repertoire of C. gestroi unveiled the presence of different CAZymes. Because the gene profile of CAZy/PAD enzymes endogenously synthesized by C. gestroi and also by their symbiotic protists remains unclear, the aim of this study was to explore the eukaryotic repertoire of these enzymes in worker and soldier castes of C. gestroi. Our findings showed that worker and soldier castes present similar repertoires of CAZy/PAD enzymes, and also confirmed that endo-glucanases (GH9) and beta-glucosidases (GH1) were the most important glycoside hydrolase families related to lignocellulose degradation in both castes. Classical cellulases such as exo-glucanases (GH7) and endo-glucanases (GH5 and GH45), as well as classical xylanases (GH10 and GH11), were found in both castes only taxonomically related to protists, highlighting the importance of symbiosis in C. gestroi. Moreover, our analysis revealed the presence of Auxiliary Activity enzyme families (AAs), which could be related to lignin modifications in termite digestomes. In conclusion, this report expanded the knowledge on genes and proteins related to CAZy/PAD enzymes from worker and soldier castes of lower termites, revealing new potential enzyme candidates for second-generation biofuel processes. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/06971-3 - Investigation of oxidative mechanisms involved on lignocellulosic biomass breakdown by the lower termite Coptotermes gestroi
• Grantee: João Paulo Lourenço Franco Cairo
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 14/20576-7 - Characterization of auxiliary (redox) enzymes from the termite Coptotermes gestroi that cooperate with glycolytic hydrolases
• Grantee: Robson Tramontina
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• FAPESP's process: 14/50371-8 - Integrated enzyme discovery and pathway optimization for bagase valorization
• Grantee: Fábio Márcio Squina
• Support Opportunities: Program for Research on Bioenergy (BIOEN) - Regular Program Grants
• FAPESP's process: 12/19040-0 - Characterization of gene expression of Neurospora crassa in response to deconstruction of sugar cane bagasse
• Grantee: Cristiane Akemi Uchima
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 14/10351-8 - Phenotype characterization of Neurospora crassa deletion strains grown on avicel and sugarcane bagasse
• Grantee: Cristiane Akemi Uchima
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• FAPESP's process: 11/20977-3 - Investigation of plant biomass conversion in termite Coptotermes gestroi complementary to glycosyl hydrolases aiming at bioproducts formation derived from lignocellulosic biomass.
• Grantee: João Paulo Lourenço Franco Cairo
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 13/03061-0 - Characterization and antioxidant capacity of fractions of lignin extracted from sugarcane bagasse
• Grantee: Lívia Beatriz Brenelli de Paiva
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 10/11469-1 - Library generation for biomass-conversion enzymes from soil metagenome
• Grantee: Thabata Maria Alvarez
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• FAPESP's process: 08/58037-9 - Library generation for biomass-conversion enzymes from soil metagenome
• Grantee: Fábio Márcio Squina
• Support Opportunities: Program for Research on Bioenergy (BIOEN) - Young Investigators Grants