Structural insights into the substrate recognition properties of β-glucosidase

β-Glucosidase enzymes (EC 3.2.1-3.2.3) hydrolyze sugars and are implicated in a wide spectrum of biological processes. Recently, we reported that β-glucosidase has varied kinetic parameters for the natural and synthetic substrates [K.H Nam, S.J. Kim, M.Y. Kim, J.H. Kim, T.S. Yeo, C.M. Lee, H.K Jun, K.Y. Hwang. Crystal structure of engineered beta-glucosidase from a soil metagenome, Proteins 73 (2008) 788-793]. However, an understanding of the kinetic values of β-glucosidase has not yet enabled the elucidation of its molecular function. Here, we report the X-ray crystal structure of β-glucosidase with a glucose and cellobiose fragment from uncultured soil metagenome. From the various crystals, we obtained the pre-reaction (native), intermediate (disaccharide cleavage) and post-reaction (glucose binding) states of the active site pocket. These structures provide snapshots of the catalytic processing of β-glucosidase. In addition, the intermediate state of the crystal structure provides insight into the substrate specificity of β-glucosidase. These structural studies will facilitate elucidation of the architectural mechanism responsible for the substrate recognition of β-glucosidase.