Home
Resources
Publications
Characterization of Cellulolytic Activity in the Gut of the Terrestrial Land Slug Arion Ater: Biochemical Identification of Targets for Intensive Study

Characterization of Cellulolytic Activity in the Gut of the Terrestrial Land Slug Arion Ater: Biochemical Identification of Targets for Intensive Study

Ryan Joynson, Arvind Swamy, Paz Aranega Bou, Ambre Chapuis, Natalie Ferry

Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol. Nov-Dec 2014;177-178:29-35.

PMID: 25150536

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.

Chemicals Related in the Paper:

Catalog Number	Product Name	Structure	CAS Number	Price
ALP531759-A	Esculin hydrate		531-75-9 (anhydrous)	Price

As a specialist in analytical chemical Products, Alfa Chemistry offers consumers a wealth of raw materials and a full range of technologies and services.

QUICK LINKS

HEADQUARTERS

Tel:

Fax:

Email: