Identification and Characterization of a Novel Prokaryotic Peptide: N-GLYCOSIDASE FROM ELIZABETHKINGIA MENINGOSEPTICA

Background: A putative peptide:N-glycosidase (PNGase), distinct from the well characterized PNGase F, was identified in Elizabethkingia meningoseptica. Results: The candidate protein possesses PNGase activity and a distinct substrate spectrum and domain structure. Conclusion: The candidate (named PNGase F-II) is a novel PNGase. Significance: Characterization of PNGase F-II may provide an alternative tool for glycobiology.Peptide:N-glycosidase (PNGase) F, the first PNGase identified in prokaryotic cells, catalyzes the removal of intact asparagine-linked oligosaccharide chains from glycoproteins and/or glycopeptides. Since its discovery in 1984, PNGase F has remained as the sole prokaryotic PNGase. Recently, a novel gene encoding a protein with a predicted PNGase domain was identified from a clinical isolate of Elizabethkingia meningoseptica. In this study, the candidate protein was expressed in vitro and was subjected to biochemical and structural analyses. The results revealed that it possesses PNGase activity and has substrate specificity different from that of PNGase F. The crystal structure of the protein was determined at 1.9 resolution. Structural comparison with PNGase F revealed a relatively larger glycan-binding groove in the catalytic domain and an additional bowl-like domain with unknown function at the N terminus of the candidate protein. These structural and functional analyses indicated that the candidate protein is a novel prokaryotic N-glycosidase. The protein has been named PNGase F-II.