endo-alpha-N-acetyl-D-galactosaminidase Research Articles

Mucin Degradation by Bifidobacterium Strains Isolated from the Human Intestinal Microbiota

The presence of the genes engBF (endo-alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase) and afcA (1,2-alpha-L-fucosidase) was detected in several intestinal Bifidobacterium isolates. Two strains of Bifidobacterium bifidum contained both genes, and they were able to degrade high-molecular weight porcine mucin in vitro. The expression of both genes was highly induced in the presence of mucin.