β-D-1,2-GLUCANASES IN FUNGI

Abstract

β-D-1,2-Glucans apparently occur rarely in nature, and yet many fungi have the ability to produce a β-1,3-glucanase capable of hydrolyzing them. The β-1,2-glucanases in fungi are adaptive, like the β-1,4-glucanases, and thus differ from the β-1.3- and the β-1,6-glucanases which are constitutive. Enzymatic hydrolysis of the β-1,2-glucan is random, a series of β-1,2-linked oligosaccharides, including sophorose, being formed.