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Carbohydrate-binding domains: multiplicity of biological roles

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Abstract

Insoluble polysaccharides can be degraded by a set of hydrolytic enzymes formed by catalytic modules appended to one or more non-catalytic carbohydrate-binding modules (CBM). The most recognized function of these auxiliary domains is to bind polysaccharides, bringing the biocatalyst into close and prolonged vicinity with its substrate, allowing carbohydrate hydrolysis. Examples of insoluble polysaccharides recognized by these enzymes include cellulose, chitin, β-glucans, starch, glycogen, inulin, pullulan, and xylan. Based on their amino acid similarity, CBMs are grouped into 55 families that show notable variation in substrate specificity; as a result, their biological functions are miscellaneous. Carbohydrate or polysaccharide recognition by CBMs is an important event for processes related to metabolism, pathogen defense, polysaccharide biosynthesis, virulence, plant development, etc. Understanding of the CBMs properties and mechanisms in ligand binding is of vital significance for the development of new carbohydrate-recognition technologies and provide the basis for fine manipulation of the carbohydrate–CBM interactions.

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Acknowledgments

We are indebted to Elizabeth Langley for language correction and to Beatriz Ruiz and Silvia Moreno for critical reading of the manuscript. Daniel Guillén is currently supported by a doctoral scholarship from Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología, Mexico.

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  1. Departamento de Biología Molecular y Biotecnología del Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico, Distrito Federal, 04510, Mexico

    Daniel Guillén, Sergio Sánchez & Romina Rodríguez-Sanoja

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  1. Daniel Guillén
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  2. Sergio Sánchez
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  3. Romina Rodríguez-Sanoja
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Correspondence to Romina Rodríguez-Sanoja.

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Guillén, D., Sánchez, S. & Rodríguez-Sanoja, R. Carbohydrate-binding domains: multiplicity of biological roles. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 85, 1241–1249 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-009-2331-y

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