Formation of glycoprotein degrading enzymes by Bacteroides fragilis

Abstract

Bacteroides fragilis NCDO 2217 produced a wide range of cell-associated hydrolytic enzymes (neuraminidase, α-fucosidase, α-N-acetylgalactosaminidase, β-galactosidase, β-N-acetylglucosaminidase) that could potentially degrade the carbohydrate moieties of mucin, a complex glycoprotein. The type of substrate used for growth markedly influenced their formation in batch cultures. Synthesis of neuraminidase, α-fucosidase, α-N-acetylgalactosaminidase and to a lesser extent, β-N-acetylglucosaminidase, was inversely related to growth rate in continuous cultures (D= 0.03 h⁻¹– 0.23 h⁻¹) in which porcine gastric mucin provided the sole source of carbon and nitrogen.