Biochemical characteristics of two endo-β-1,4-xylanases produced byPenicillium capsulatum

Two endo-β-1,4-xylan xylanohydrolases (EC 3.2.1.8), XynA and XynB, from solid-state cultures ofPenicillium capsulatum, were purified to apparent homogeneity as judged by electrophoresis and isoelectric focusing. Each is a single subunit glycoprotein. XynA containing 97 mol carbohydrate·mol−1 protein, while XynB contains 63 mol·mol−1.M r and pI values are 28 500, 5.0–5.2 (XynA) and 29 500, 5.0–5.2 (XynB), respectively. Both enzymes are most active at pH 4 and 47–48°C, and have half-lives of 32 min (XynA) and 13 min (XynB) at pH 4, 60°C. Each form catalyzed the hydrolysis of a variety of xylans, albeit with different degrees of efficiency. In addition, XynB catalyzed extensive degradation of barley β-glucan, CM-cellulose and, to a lesser extent, lichenan, but kinetic parameters indicate that it is primarily a xylanase. The products of hydrolysis of various xylans and xylopentaose differed for each enzyme and ranged from xylose to xyloheptaose depending on the substrate used. Each enzyme is endo-acting and has transferase as well as direct hydrolase activity. Inactivation byN-bromosuccinimide indicated the possible involvement of tryptophan in binding and/or catalysis.