Enzyme systems in marine algae. 2. Trans-α-glucosylation by extracts of Cladophora rupestris

Abstract

An extract of C rupestris catalyzed the synthesis of higher oligosaccha-rides from maltose. The oligosaccharides were separated by charcoal-Celite chromatography and 4 sugars characterized by chemical and enzymic methods. They are panose, maltotriose, 63-[forward arrow]-glucosylmaltotriose (0-[forward arrow]-D-glucopyranosyl-(l [forward arrow] 6)-0-[alpha]-D-glucopyranosyl-(l- [forward arrow] 4)O-[forward arrow]-D-glucopyranosyl-(l[forward arrow]4)-D-glucopyranose) and maltotetrose. The above and other evidence shows that, with the C. rupestris extract, maltose and maltotriose can function as a-glucosyl acceptors, whereas D-glucose, D-fructose, N-acetylglucosamine and panose cannot. The metabolism of maltose by transglucosylases from various biological sources is discussed.