Purification and characterization of novel κ-carrageenase from marine Tamlana sp. HC4

Abstract

We isolated a bacterial strain (HC4) that is able to degrade κ-carrageenan from a live specimen of the red alga Hyalosiphonia caespitosa. With 16S rRNA gene sequencing, we identified the strain as Tamlana sp., and then purified an extracellular κ-carrageenase from a culture of Tamlana sp. HC4 by ammonium sulfate precipitation, Sephadex G-200 gel filtration chromatography, and DE-cellulose 52 anion-exchange chromatography. The purified enzyme yields a single band on SDS-PAGE with a molecular mass of 66.4 kDa. The optimal pH and temperature for κ-carrageenase activity are at 8.0 and 30°C, respectively. The enzyme is stable over the range of pH 7.2–8.6 below 45°C. The enzyme activity is strongly inhibited by Zn2+ and Cu2+ at 1 mmol/L. The enzyme-catalyzed reaction follows Michaelis-Menten kinetics with the Michaelis constant (Km) at 7.63 mg/ml. Analysis of the degradation products of the κ-carrageenase by ESI-MS and 13C-NMR spectroscopy indicates that the enzyme degrades κ-carrageenan down to the level of κ-neocarrabiose sulfate.