Glycosyl hydrolase family 20 (GH20) catalytic domain of N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (GcnA, also known as BhsA) and related proteins. GcnA is an exoglucosidase which cleaves N-acetyl-beta-D-galactosamine (NAG) and N-acetyl-beta-D-galactosamine residues from 4-methylumbelliferylated (4MU) substrates, as well as cleaving NAG from chito-oligosaccharides (i.e. NAG polymers). In contrast, sulfated forms of the substrate are unable to be cleaved and act instead as mild competitive inhibitors. Additionally, the enzyme is known to be poisoned by several first-row transition metals as well as by mercury. GcnA forms a homodimer with subunits comprised of three domains, an N-terminal zincin-like domain, this central catalytic GH20 domain, and a C-terminal alpha helical domain. The GH20 hexosaminidases are thought to act via a catalytic mechanism in which the catalytic nucleophile is not provided by solvent or the enzyme, but by the substrate itself.

Glycosyl hydrolase family 20 (GH20) catalytic domain of dispersin B (DspB), lacto-N-biosidase (LnbB) and related proteins. Dispersin B is a soluble beta-N-acetylglucosamidase found in bacteria that hydrolyzes the beta-1,6-linkages of PGA (poly-beta-(1,6)-N-acetylglucosamine), a major component of the extracellular polysaccharide matrix. Lacto-N-biosidase hydrolyzes lacto-N-biose (LNB) type I oligosaccharides at the nonreducing terminus to produce lacto-N-biose as part of the GNB/LNB (galacto-N-biose/lacto-N-biose I) degradation pathway. The lacto-N-biosidase from Bifidobacterium bifidum has this GH20 domain, a carbohydrate binding module 32, and a bacterial immunoglobulin-like domain 2, as well as a YSIRK signal peptide and a G5 membrane anchor at the N and C termini, respectively. The GH20 hexosaminidases are thought to act via a catalytic mechanism in which the catalytic nucleophile is not provided by solvent or the enzyme, but by the substrate itself.

Glycosyl hydrolase family 20, catalytic domain. This domain has a TIM barrel fold.

Beta-N-acetylhexosaminidases catalyze the removal of beta-1,4-linked N-acetyl-D-hexosamine residues from the non-reducing ends of N-acetyl-beta-D-hexosaminides including N-acetylglucosides and N-acetylgalactosides. The hexA and hexB genes encode the alpha- and beta-subunits of the two major beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase isoenzymes, N-acetyl-beta-D-hexosaminidase A (HexA) and beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase B (HexB). Both the alpha and the beta catalytic subunits have a TIM-barrel fold and belong to the glycosyl hydrolase family 20 (GH20). The HexA enzyme is a heterodimer containing one alpha and one beta subunit while the HexB enzyme is a homodimer containing two beta-subunits. Hexosaminidase mutations cause an inability to properly hydrolyze certain sphingolipids which accumulate in lysosomes within the brain, resulting in the lipid storage disorders Tay-Sachs and Sandhoff. Mutations in the alpha subunit cause in a deficiency in the HexA enzyme and result in Tay-Sachs, mutations in the beta-subunit cause in a deficiency in both HexA and HexB enzymes and result in Sandhoff disease. In both disorders GM(2) gangliosides accumulate in lysosomes. The GH20 hexosaminidases are thought to act via a catalytic mechanism in which the catalytic nucleophile is not provided by solvent or the enzyme, but by the substrate itself.

Beta-N-acetylhexosaminidases of glycosyl hydrolase family 20 (GH20) catalyze the removal of beta-1,4-linked N-acetyl-D-hexosamine residues from the non-reducing ends of N-acetyl-beta-D-hexosaminides including N-acetylglucosides and N-acetylgalactosides. These enzymes are broadly distributed in microorganisms, plants and animals, and play roles in various key physiological and pathological processes. These processes include cell structural integrity, energy storage, cellular signaling, fertilization, pathogen defense, viral penetration, the development of carcinomas, inflammatory events and lysosomal storage disorders. The GH20 enzymes include the eukaryotic beta-N-acetylhexosaminidases A and B, the bacterial chitobiases, dispersin B, and lacto-N-biosidase. The GH20 hexosaminidases are thought to act via a catalytic mechanism in which the catalytic nucleophile is not provided by the solvent or the enzyme, but by the substrate itself.

CrystalStructure of insect beta-N-acetyl-D-hexosaminidase OfHex1 complexed with berberine [Ostrinia furnacalis]

Probable beta-hexosaminidase ARB_01353 OS=Arthroderma benhamiae (strain ATCC MYA-4681 / CBS 112371) OX=663331 GN=ARB_01353 PE=1 SV=1