Heterologous expression and biochemical characterization of a thermostable endo-β-1,4-glucanase from Colletotrichum orchidophilum

To develop new cellulases for efficient utilization of the lignocellulose, an endoglucanase (CoCel5A) gene from Colletotrichum orchidophilum was synthesized and a recombinant Pichia pastoris GS115/pPIC9K/cocel5A was constructed for secretory expression of CoCel5A. After purification, the protein CoCel5A was biochemically characterized. The endoglucanase CoCel5A exhibited the optimal activity at 55–75 °C and high thermostability (about 85% residual activity) at the temperature of 55 °C after incubation for 3 h. The highest activity of CoCel5A was detected when 100 mM citric acid buffer (pH 4.0–5.0) was used and excellent pH stability (up to 95% residual activity) was observed after incubation in 100 mM citric acid buffer (pH 3.0–6.0) at 4 °C for 24 h. Carboxymethyl cellulose sodium salt ( n  = approx. 500) (CMC) and β - d -glucan were the best substrates for CoCel5A among the tested substrates. The kinetic parameters V max , K m , and K cat / K m values against CMC were 290.70 U/mg, 2.65 mg/mL, and 75.67 mL/mg/s, respectively; and 228.31 U/mg, 2.06 mg/mL, and 76.45 mL/mg/s against β - d -glucan, respectively, suggesting that CoCel5A has high affinity and catalytic efficiency. These properties supported the potential application of CoCel5A in biotechnological and environmental fields.