# Gossypium hirsutum gene of unknown function Gohir.A02G131900 encodes a potential plant-specific, dual-domain exo-1,3-β-glucosidase

## TL;DR

This paper identifies a cotton gene encoding a plant-specific enzyme with potential glucosidase activity and a unique domain.

## Contribution

The study reveals a new plant-specific subgroup of glycoside hydrolase family 5 with a fascin-like domain and potential glucan binding site.

## Key findings

- The gene Gohir.A02G131900.1 encodes a secreted cell wall-localized exo-1,3-β-glucosidase.
- The encoded protein belongs to a plant-specific glycoside hydrolase family 5 subgroup with a fascin-like domain.
- The subgroup has a unique glucan binding site that may be important for further research.

## Abstract

A gene of unknown function, Gohir.A02G131900.1, identified in
Gossypium hirsutum
was studied using computational sequence and structure bioinformatic tools. The encoded protein GhGH5BG-A0A1U8NW40 (UniProt A0A1U8NW40) is predicted to be secreted and localized to the cell wall. Homology and conserved residues indicate it belongs to a plant-specific subgroup of the glycoside hydrolase family 5 and likely has exo-1,3-β-glucosidase activity. This subgroup is unique in containing a fascin-like domain which may have evolved a unique glucan binding site of interest for further research.