Characterization of substrate and product specificity of the purified recombinant glycogen branching enzyme of Rhodothermus obamensis.

Background: Glycogen and starch branching enzymes catalyze the formation of α(1→6) linkages in storage polysaccharides by rearrangement of preexisting α-glucans. This reaction occurs through the cleavage of α(1→4) linkage and transfer in α(1→6) of the fragment in non-reducing position. These enzymes define major elements that control the structure of both glycogen and starch.

Methods: The kinetic parameters of the branching enzyme of Rhodothermus obamensis (RoBE) were established after in vitro incubation with different branched or unbranched α-glucans of controlled structure.

Results: A minimal chain length of ten glucosyl units was required for the donor substrate to be recognized by RoBE that essentially produces branches of DP 3-8. We show that RoBE preferentially creates new branches by intermolecular mechanism. Branched glucans define better substrates for the enzyme leading to the formation of hyper-branched particles of 30-70nm in diameter (dextrins). Interestingly, RoBE catalyzes an additional α-4-glucanotransferase activity not described so far for a member of the GH13 family.

Conclusions: RoBE is able to transfer α(1→4)-linked-glucan in C4 position (instead of C6 position for the branching activity) of a glucan to create new α(1→4) linkages yielding to the elongation of linear chains subsequently used for further branching. This result is a novel case for the thin border that exists between enzymes of the GH13 family.

General Significance: This work reveals the original catalytic properties of the thermostable branching enzyme of R. obamensis. It defines new approach to produce highly branched α-glucan particles in vitro.