Purification and properties of two enzymes from Dichomitus squalens which exhibit both cellobiohydrolase and xylanase activity

Abstract

Two fractions (Ex I and II), exhibiting activity towards p-nitrophenyl β-cellobioside (pNPC) have been isolated by chromatofocusing of the proteins obtained from the supernatant solution of a cellulose-containing culture of the white-rot fungus Dichomitus squalens. They were further purified up to 16.0- and 14.2-fold by chromatography on Phenyl-Sepharose CL-4B and ion-exchange chromatography on DEAE-Trisacryl. Each purified enzyme gave a single peak for protein and activity on chromatography on Ultrogel AcA-54 and a single protein band in disc gel electrophoresis, in the absence and presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate, and on isoelectrofocusing. The mol. wts. of Ex I and II were 39,000 and 36,000, respectively, and their isoelectric points were 4.6 and 4.5, respectively. Maximum activity towards pNPC was shown at pH 5.0 and 60°, and each enzyme was stable over the pH range 4.0–8.0, and up to 70° and 60° for Ex I and II, respectively. The enzymes cleaved pNPC, released mainly cellobiose from cellulose, were especially active towards xylan and o-nitrophenyl β- d-xylopyranoside, and exhibited strong transglycosylating activities.