ACCEPTOR RELATIONS IN THE ENZYMATIC TRANSFER OF β-GLUCOSYL AND β-GALACTOSYL GROUPS*

Abstract

[beta]-Glucosidase and -galactosidase preparations from the leaves of elder (Sambucus Siebolidans) by the author''s method (cf. Jour. Biochem., 40, 471(1953) ) and from apricot emulsin by Helferich''s procedure catalyze the transfer of [beta]-glucosyl group from p-nitrophenyl-[beta]-D-glucoside as well as that of [beta]-galactosyl group from p-nitrophenyl-[beta]-D-galacto-side to methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, and isobutyl alcohols. Isoamyl alcohol acts as acceptor of transglycosida-tion only by elder prepn., but this is not the case of emulsin enzyme. As [beta]-glucoside acceptor by both preparations glycerol, erythritol, ethylene glycol, mesoinositol, benzyl and allyl alcohols are applicable, but not lactate and malate. Mannitol serves as [beta]-glucoside acceptor only by the apricot enzyme. The relative amount of transferred [beta]-D-glucose group is increased with rising concentrations of alcohol.