Joynson, RE, Swamy, AM, Bou, PA, Chapuis, A and Ferry, N 
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3728-4302
2014,
'Characterization of cellulolytic activity in the gut of the terrestrial land slug Arion ater : Biochemical identification of targets for intensive study'
, Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part B : Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 177
, pp. 29-35.
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Abstract
The level of cellulolytic activity in different areas of the gut of the terrestrial slug Arion ater was assayed at different temperatures and pH values. To do this, crude gut proteins were isolated and assayed using modified dinitrosalicylic acid reducing sugar assay. Crude protein samples were also separated and cellulolytic activity identified using in gel CMC zymography and esculin hydrate activity gel assays. pH and temperature profiling revealed optimum cellulolytic activity between pH5.0 and 6.0 for different gut regions and retention of up to 90% of activity at temperatures up to 50°C. Zymograms and activity gels revealed multiple endoglucanase and β-glucosidase enzymes. To further investigate the source of this cellulolytic activity bacterial isolates from the gut were tested for endoglucanase and β-glucosidase activity using growth plate assays. 12 cellulolytic microbes were identified using 16S rDNA gene sequencing. These include members of the genera Buttiauxella, Enterobacter, Citrobacter, Serratia and Klebsiella. Gut metagenomic DNA was then subjected to PCR, targeting a 400bp region of the 16SrDNA gene which was subsequently separated and individuals identified using DGGE. This identified members of the genera Citrobacter, Serratia, Pectobacterium, Acinetobacter, Mycoplasma, Pantoea and Erwinia. In summary, multiple glycoside hydrolase enzymes active over a broad range of temperature and pH values in a relatively under studied organism were detected, indicating that the gut of A. ater is a viable target for intensive study to identify novel carbohydrate active enzymes that may be used in the biofuel industry.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Themes: | Built and Human Environment Energy |
| Schools: | Schools > School of Environment and Life Sciences > Ecosystems and Environment Research Centre |
| Journal or Publication Title: | Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part B : Biochemistry and Molecular Biology |
| Publisher: | Elsevier |
| Refereed: | Yes |
| ISSN: | 1096-4959 |
| Related URLs: | |
| Funders: | University of Salford |
| Depositing User: | Dr Natalie Ferry |
| Date Deposited: | 03 Jul 2015 15:08 |
| Last Modified: | 15 Feb 2022 19:23 |
| URI: | https://usir.salford.ac.uk/id/eprint/35140 |
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