Mode of action of beta-glucuronidase from Aspergillus niger on the sugar chains of arabinogalactan-protein

Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2005 Nov;69(11):2170-7. doi: 10.1271/bbb.69.2170.

Abstract

A beta-glucuronidase purified from a commercial pectolytic enzyme preparation of Aspergillus niger hydrolyzed about half of the 4-O-methyl-glucuronic acid (4-Me-GlcA) residues located at the nonreducing terminals of (1-->6)-linked beta-galactosyl side chains of the carbohydrate portion of a radish arabinogalactan-protein (AGP) modified by treatment with fungal alpha-L-arabinosidase. Digestion of the alpha-L-arabinosidase-treated AGP with exo-beta-(1-->3)-galactanase released, by exo-fission of beta-(1-->3)-galactosidic bonds in the backbone chains of the AGP, neutral beta-(1-->6)-galactooligosaccharides with various chain lengths and their acidic derivatives substituted at their nonreducing terminals with 4-Me-beta-GlcA groups. In contrast, successive digestion of the alpha-L-arabinosidase-treated AGP with beta-glucuronidase followed by exo-beta-(1-->3)-galactanase liberated much higher amounts of beta-(1-->6)-galactooligomers together with a small portion of short acidic oligomers, mainly 4-Me-beta-GlcA-(1-->6)-Gal and 4-Me-beta-GlcA-(1-->6)-beta-Gal-(1-->6)-Gal. These results indicate that beta-glucuronidase acts upon 4-Me-beta-GlcA residues in long (1-->6)-linked beta-galactosyl side chains of the AGP, whereas short acidic side chains survive the attack of the enzyme.

MeSH terms

  • Aspergillus niger / enzymology*
  • Carbohydrate Sequence
  • Carbohydrates / analysis*
  • Chromatography
  • Glucuronidase / metabolism*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mucoproteins / chemistry
  • Mucoproteins / metabolism*
  • Plant Proteins / chemistry
  • Plant Proteins / metabolism
  • Raphanus / chemistry

Substances

  • Carbohydrates
  • Mucoproteins
  • Plant Proteins
  • arabinogalactan proteins
  • Glucuronidase