The β-glucosidase system of Neurospora crassa: II. Purification and characterization of aryl β-glucosidase

Abstract

The aryl β-glucosidase of wild-type Neurospora crassa was purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation and by anion exchange chromatography. This enzyme was one of the two β-glucosidases present in mycelial extracts. An eightyfold purification was accomplished, and the physical properties of aryl β-glucosidase were shown to be similar to those of other comparable enzymes from fungi. Aryl β-glucosidase activity and transglycosidase activity could not be separated, which suggested that one enzyme was present possessing these two related properties. Transglycosidase activity resulted in the preferential synthesis of β-1 → 4, β-1 → 6 glucose trisaccharide.