An endo-N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase, acting on the Di-N-acetylchitobiosyl part of N-linked glycans, is secreted during sporulation of Myxococcus xanthus

Experimental studies reveal the secretion of an endo-N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase activity during the vegetative growth of Myxococcus xanthus DK1622. Decreased release of the enzyme in Exc (plus or minus) mutants reveals the regulation of the enzyme production during this vegetative growth phase. A two-step process accounts for the development of the enzyme activity during submerged development. Cell-cell signaling is impaired in developmental mutants due to lower production of the enzyme, and the enzyme activity is minimum in late mutants.