Purification and characterization of digestive beta-glucanases from Periplaneta americana (Dictyoptera)

Author(s)

Fernando Ariel Genta

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Conjunto das Químicas (IQ e FCF) (CQ/DBDCQ)
• Defense date: 2000-03-20

Examining board members

Clélia Ferreira; Osvaldo Marinotti; Ana Claudia Rasera da Silva

• Advisor: Clélia Ferreira

Abstract

P. americana midgut has at least eight β-glucanases. Five were purified and partially characterized. LAM (Mr=46,000) is active only upon soluble laminarin, is inhibited by high amounts of substrate, and releases small oligosaccharides (1 to 4 glucoses). LIQ1 (Mr=24,600) is active upon laminarin and lichenan, releasing oligosaccharides with 1,2 and 4 glucosyl residues from soluble laminarin and only one oligossacharide, with a degree of polimerization between 3 and 4, from lichenan. LIQ2 (Mr=22,300) is active upon laminarin and lichenan and hydrolyzes only internal bond. CEL1 and CEL2 are active upon lichenan and carboxymethylcellulose, hydrolyzing internal bonds in these substrates. CEL1 and CEL2 also attack AVICEL. All β-glucanase activities have an optimum pH around 6.0 (near luminal pH) and are stable under physiological conditions. These enzymes are purified in very low amounts (up to 7µg from 10 animais). P. americana &#946,-glucanasic system also has two cellulases of low molecular weight (Mr= 15,000 and 17,000), and another not yet characterized. Probably these enzymes are involved in incomplete digestion of cellulose and hemicellulose ingested by the insect. LIQ 1 lyses Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells, and may be involved in epithelium defense against microorganisms. (AU)