title: A study of the reaction catalysed by alginate lyase VI from the sea mollusc, Littorina sp.
abstract: The molecular weight of polymeric alginic acid digested by alginate lyase (poly(1,4-beta-D-mannuronide) lyase, EC 4.2.2.3) was determined at various stages of the lysis. Low molecular weigh fragments were detected only after 60-100% lysis. Some high molecular weight fragments remained intact even after addition of a fresh aliquot of enzyme to the digest. The enzyme showed maximal activity at pH 5.6 in 0.05 M salt. Enzyme activity was stimulated by addition of 7.5 mM CaCl2 and 0.2 M NaCl, when the pH optimum was between 8 and 8.5. Only mannuronic acid was detected at the reducing end of fragments after exhausive enzymolysis, reduction and hydrolysis. On studying the reaction products by NMR, a double-bound signal (sigma = 5.98 ppm) was observed. A considerable decrease in intensity of the D-mannuronic acid residue signal was detected after hydrolysis of alginate lyase VI on poly-(ManUA-GulUA), but not poly(GulUA). The results suggest that alginate lyase VI may be an endoalginate lyase that splits glycoside bonds only between two mannuronic acid residues.
mesh_terms: D000464:Alginates / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D002850:Chromatography, Gel; D008190:Lyases / Q000378:metabolism*; D008970:Molecular Weight; D008974:Mollusca / Q000201:enzymology*; D011133:Polysaccharide-Lyases
chemical_list: D000464:Alginates; D008190:Lyases; D011133:Polysaccharide-Lyases; C016158:poly(beta-D-mannuronate) lyase