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Chromosomal and genetic analysis of the electrophoretic karyotype of Trichoderma reesei: mapping of the cellulase and xylanase genes.

An electrophoretic karyotype has been established for Trichoderma reesei strain QM6a, and several of its derivatives, by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. All strains examined appear to have seven chromosomes with a total genome size of approximately 33 megabases (Mb). The sizes of the chromosomal bands in strain QM6a are approximately 6.2, 6.0, 5.1, 4.2 (doublet), 3.6 and 3.2 Mb. Genes encoding the cellulase complex and xylanases of T. reesei have been mapped, as have several other genes.

Cellulase

The bgl1 gene encoding extracellular beta-glucosidase from Trichoderma reesei is required for rapid induction of the cellulase complex.

We have used a targeted gene deletion event to remove the coding region for the bgl1 gene encoding an extracellular beta-glucosidase from the genome of the cellulolytic fungus Trichoderma reesei. The bgl1 null mutants were used to investigate the role of beta-glucosidase in the hydrolysis of cellulose and induction of the other cellulolytic enzyme components. In the absence of extracellular beta-glucosidase, growth of bgl1 null strains on several carbon sources was the same as that of the parent (as measured by mycelial dry weight). However, levels of extracellular protein and total endoglucanase production were seen to lag relative to those levels observed in the control strain. The mRNA levels of the CBHI, CBHII, EGI, and EGII cellulase genes (cbh1, cbh2, egl1 and egl3) showed a corresponding lag in induction, suggesting that the absence of extracellular beta-glucosidase has an effect on the co-ordinate regulation of the other cellulase genes at the level of transcription. The addition of a potent inducer of the cellulase complex (sophorose) resulted in normal rates of cellulase gene mRNA production and extracellular protein release. This indicates that the absence of beta-glucosidase is not affecting some intrinsic cellular ability to produce mRNA or secrete protein. These data suggest that a functional beta-glucosidase is at least partially responsible for the efficient induction of the depolymerase enzymes of the cellulase complex. The observation that the cellulase complex is induced, albeit after a lag, suggests that other enzymes are present that can substitute for the function of beta-glucosidase during induction.

Cellulase

Isolation and sequence determination of trichorzianines A antifungal peptides from Trichoderma harzianum.

Trichorzianines A, membrane active peptides of the peptaibol class, were isolated from cultures of the mould Trichoderma harzianum. Trichorzianines A were separated into pure components by HPLC on octadecyl bonded and SiO2 phases successively. Nine trichorzianines A (IIa, IIIa, IIIb, IIIc, IVb, Vb, VIa, VIb and VII) were isolated from the complex microheterogeneous mixture. Their N-terminal amino acid is acetylated, the C-terminal amino alcohol is either tryptophanol or phenylalaninol, 7 to 8 of the 19 residues are alpha-aminoisobutyric acid. Gas chromatography on a chiral phase showed isovaline to have the D-configuration and all the other optically active amino acids and amino alcohols to have the L-configuration. The amino acid sequences were determined from their positive ion FAB mass spectra which exhibited the preferential cleavage of the Aib 12-Pro 13 amide bond as a main fragmentation. The resulting fragments subsequently underwent amide bond ruptures that generated two series of abundant acylium ions which enabled direct determination of the 1-19 sequence. The relative position of the isomeric amino acids in the sequence of trichorzianine AVII was assigned from analysis of the N- and C-terminal oligopeptides yielded by its selective acidic hydrolysis. The microheterogeneity of trichorzianines A results mainly from single or multiple substitution of amino acids at the specific positions 5, 14, 16 and 19.

Amino Acid Sequence

Isolation, sequence, and conformation of seven trichorzianines B from Trichoderma harzianum.

From the antagonistic fungus Trichoderma harzianum, a group of acidic new peptides, trichorzianines B (TB), was isolated in addition to neutral trichorzianines A (TA) previously studied. TA and TB exhibit various biological activities related to their membrane properties and a different behaviour of the two groups was noticed. As observed for other peptaibols, TB consist in a microheterogeneous mixture which was resolved into pure peptides by reversed-phase C18 HPLC. The sequence of the seven main isolated TB, namely TB IIa, TB IIIc, TB IVb, TB Vb, TB VIa, TB VIb, TB VII, was determined by the combined use of positive ion FAB mass spectrometry and 2D 1H n.m.r. spectroscopy, including COSY and NOESY experiments. TB differ from the corresponding TA only by the replacement of Gln 18 in the TA sequence by a glutamic acid. The 1H n.m.r. data suggested that the TB are mainly organized in an alpha helix.

Amino Acid Sequence

The mechanism of enzymatic cellulose degradation. Purification and some properties of two different 1,4beta-glucan glucanohydrolases from Trichoderma viride.

1. A low-molecular-weight and a high-molecular-weight 1,4beta-glucan glucanohydrolase (Cx enzyme) have been isolated from a commercial cellulase preparation derived from culture filtrates of the fungus Trichoderma viride. 2. The purification method for the isolation of the low-molecular-weight enzyme is a three-step procedure including chromatography on Bio-Gel P-10, chromatography on a dipolar adsorbent (arginine-Sepharose 6 B) and isoelectric focusing. 3. The starting material for the isolation of the high-molecular-weight enzyme was pre-fractionated by chromatography on Bio-Gel P-10, by DEAE-Sephadex chromatography and by SE-Sephadex chromatography as described previously by us. Further fractionation of this material was achieved by affinity chromatography and repeated isoelectric focusing. 4. Free zone electrophoresis of the low-molecular-weight enzyme indicated a homogeneous protein. The high-molecular-weight enzyme was homogenous in sedimentation equilibrium analysis. 5. The molecular weights of the enzymes were 12 500 and 50 000 +/- 2000 respectively. The former value was determined by chromatography on a calibrated column of Bio-Gel P-100 and the latter value by sedimentation equilibrium analysis. 6. The low-molecular-weight enzyme was isoelectric at pH 4.60 (10 degrees C) and contained 21% carbohydrate. The corresponding values for the high-molecular-weight enzyme were pH 3.39 and 12%. 7. Both enzymes were active in releasing free fibers from filter-paper. The low-molecular-weight enzyme was estimated to be about twice as effective as the high-molecular-weight enzyme in this regard.

Animals

Poly(A)-associated RNA from the mitochondrial fraction of the fungus Trichoderma.

Total RNA was extracted from purified mitochondrial and cytoplasmic fractions of germinating conidia of Trichoderma viride and bound to oligo(dT)-cellulose at 22 and 4 degrees C. Under chromatographic conditions which retained very short poly(A) segments (i.e., 4 degrees C), up to 10% of short-term 32PO4-lebeled RNA from the mitochondrial fraction were selectively bound. The poly(A)-associated RNAs from the mitochondrial and cytoplasmic fractions showed the following characteristics. (a) On polyacrylamide gels mitochondrial fraction RNA had a distinctive pattern with a major peak at about 22 S and a smaller one at about 29 S; in contrast, cytoplasmic fraction RNA was heterogenously distributed along the gel. (b) The poly(A) segment released by RNAase digestion of mitochondrial fraction poly(A)-associated RNA migrated on polyacrylamide gels as molecules 20-25-nucleotides long, while that of the cytoplasmic fraction showed an apparent size of 50-60 nucleotides. (c) Mitochondrial fraction RNA bound to oligo(dT)-cellulose in the cold had a guanine + cytosine content of 21% versus 34% for bulk mitochondrial RNA and 48% for cytoplasmic poly(A)-associated RNA; the oligo(dT)-bound RNAs were further identified by their high percentages of adenine residues (46% for the mitochondria and 30% for the cytoplasm). (d) The poly(A)-associated RNA fraction was translated, in vitro, in a cell-free protein-synthesizing system from wheat germ. The products induced by cytoplasmic RNA showed a complex pattern on polyacrylamide gels of many polypeptides ranging in molecular weights from 10000 to 40000. The pattern induced by mitochondrial fraction RNA however, was much simpler, revealing two discrete, main products: a major one at Mr approximately 13000 and a minor one at Mr approximately 20000.

Chromatography, Affinity

The cellulase of Trichoderma viride. Purification, characterization and comparison of all detectable endoglucanases, exoglucanases and beta-glucosidases.

Six endoglucanases (Endo I; II; III; IV; V; VI), three exoglucanases (Exo I; II; III) and a beta-glucosidase (beta-gluc I) were isolated from a commercial cellulase preparation derived from Trichoderma viride, using gel filtration on Bio-Gel, anion exchange on DEAE-Bio-Gel A, cation exchange on SE-Sephadex and affinity chromatography on crystalline cellulose. Molecular masses were determined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. One group of endoglucanases (Endo I, Endo II and Endo IV) with Mr of 50 000, 45 000 and 23 500 were more random in their attack on carboxymethylcellulose than another group (Endo III, Endo V and Endo VI) showing Mr of 58 000, 57 000 and 53 000 respectively. Endo III was identified as a new type of endoglucanase with relatively high activity on crystalline cellulose and moderate activity on carboxymethylcellulose. Exo II and Exo III with Mr of 60 500 and 62 000 respectively showed distinct adsorption affinities on a column of crystalline cellulose and could be eluted by a pH gradient to alkaline regions. These enzymes were cellobiohydrolases as judged by high-pressure liquid chromatography of the products obtained from incubation with H3PO4-swollen cellulose. It was concluded that these exoglucanases are primarily active on newly generated chain ends. Exo I was essentially another type of exoglucanase which in the first instance was able to split off a cellobiose molecule from a chain end and then hydrolyse this molecule in a second step to two glucose units beta-Gluc I was a new type of aryl-beta-D-glucosidase which had no activity on cellobiose. The enzyme had a Mr of 76 000 and was moderately active on CM-cellulose, crystalline cellulose and xylan and highly active on p-nitrophenyl-beta-D-glucose and p-nitrophenyl-beta-D-xylose.

Cellulase

Studies of the cellulolytic system of Trichoderma reesei QM 9414. Reaction specificity and thermodynamics of interactions of small substrates and ligands with the 1,4-beta-glucan cellobiohydrolase II.

The 1,4-beta-glucan cellobiohydrolase II (CBH II) from Trichoderma reesei QM 9414 catalyses the hydrolysis of the 4-methylumbelliferyl beta-D-glycosides derived from cellotriose, cellotetraose and cellopentaose [MeUmb(Glc)n; n = 3 - 5]. The reaction has been followed by quantitative high-performance liquid chromatography. Specific activity for cellobiose removal at apparent substrate saturation were determined as (0.8 +/- 0.2) min-1 for MeUmb(Glc)3 and (9 +/- 2) min-1 for MeUmb(Glc)4. The enzyme showed a deviant specificity with MeUmb(Glc)5 as substrate. Two chromophoric products were formed simultaneously [MeUmb(Glc)3 and MeUmb(Glc)2] with turn-over numbers (17 +/- 4) min-1 and (21 +/- 6) min-1, respectively. Methylumbelliferyl beta-glucoside (MeUmbGlc) and the corresponding cellobioside [MeUmb(Glc)2] were used in equilibrium binding experiments. Both ligands yielded one binding site per molecule of Mr = 54000 upon forced flow dialysis (diafiltration). The association constants found were in fair agreement with those determined from MeUmb fluorescence quenching titrations. Quenching was total at all temperatures investigated for MeUmb(Glc)2, whereas for MeUmbGlc it increased from 80% to 100% between 2 degrees C and 20 degrees C. The association constants fitted linear van't Hoff plots in both cases. MeUmb(Glc)2 and MeUmbGlc were also used as indicator ligands to determine the association constants and thermodynamic parameters of several non-chromophoric ligands of CBH II. The binding of glucose increased the affinity for MeUmb(Glc)2 whereas it displaced MeUmbGlc from its complex. A putative binding site of the CBH II containing four subsites can be proposed. The thermodynamic data for methyl beta-D-glucopyranoside and cellobiose as ligands also point at an extended binding site.

Cellulose 1,4-beta-Cellobiosidase

Purification and characterization of a beta-glucosidase from Trichoderma reesei.

A beta-glucosidase has been purified from culture filtrates of the fungus Trichoderma reesei QM9414 grown on microcrystalline cellulose. The beta-glucosidase was purified using two successive DEAE-Sephadex anion-exchange chromatography steps, followed by SP-Sephadex cation-exchange chromatography and concanavalin-A--agarose chromatography. Evidence for homogeneity is provided by polyacrylamide disc gel electrophoretic patterns, which show a single protein band. Sedimentation equilibrium analysis yielded a molecular mass of 74.6 +/- 2.4 kDa. Sodium dodecyl sulfate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis yielded a single protein band with a molecular mass of 81.6 kDa. Thus, the enzyme appears to be a single, monomeric polypeptide. The beta-glucosidase is isoelectric at pH 8.5. The enzyme is rich in basic amino acids and contains few half-cystine and methionine residues. The purified beta-glucosidase contains less than 1% by weight of neutral carbohydrate. The beta-glucosidase catalyzes the hydrolysis of cellobiose, p-nitrophenyl beta-D-glucopyranoside and 4-methylumbelliferyl beta-D-glucopyranoside; the values of V/Km for each substrate were determined to be 2.3 X 10(4), 6.9 X 10(5) and 2.9 X 10(6) M-1 S-1 respectively. The enzyme is optimally active from pH 4.5 to 5.0 and is labile at higher hydrogen ion concentrations. The beta-glucosidase has an unusually high affinity for D-glucose (Ki = 700 microM). Comparison of inhibition constants for cello-oligosaccharides suggests that the substrate-binding region of the beta-glucosidase comprises multiple subsites.

Amino Acids

Beta-glucosidase from Trichoderma reesei. Substrate-binding region and mode of action on [1-3H]cello-oligosaccharides.

To determine the mode of action of the beta-glucosidase from Trichoderma reesei a method was developed for synthesizing [1-3H]cello-oligosaccharides with specific radioactivities of approximately 3000 Ci/mol. The beta-glucosidase removed glucosyl residues from the non-reducing end of the [1-3H]cello-oligosaccharides in a multiple attack mode with little tendency to attack the substrates repetitively. Values of Km were lower for longer cello-oligosaccharides, whereas values of V remained essentially constant. A subsite map, constructed using values of V/Km for the cello-oligosaccharides, showed that the substrate-binding region comprises primarily three subsites.

Binding Sites

Studies of the cellulolytic system of Trichoderma reesei QM 9414. Binding of small ligands to the 1,4-beta-glucan cellobiohydrolase II and influence of glucose on their affinity.

Binding onto cellobiohydrolase II from Trichoderma reesei of glucose, cellobiose, cellotriose, derivatized and analogous compounds, is monitored by protein-difference-absorption spectroscopy and by titration of ligand fluorescence, either at equilibrium or by the stopped-flow technique. The data complete earlier results [van Tilbeurgh, H., Pettersson, L. G., Bhikhabhai, R., De Boeck, H. and Claeyssens, M. (1985) Eur. J. Biochem. 148, 329-334] indicating an extended active center, with putative subsites ABCD. Subsite A specifically complexes with beta-D-glucosides and D-glucose; at 25 degrees C the latter influences the concomitant binding of other ligands at neighbouring sites. For several ligands this cooperative effect for binding (at 0.33 M glucose and temperature range 4-37 degrees C) was characterized by a substantial increase of the enthalpic term (delta delta H = -35 kJ mol-1). Glucose (0.33 M) decreases the association and dissociation rate parameters of 4-methylumbelliferyl beta-D-cellobioside by one order of magnitude: k+ = (3.6 +/- 0.5) x 10(-5) M-1 s-1 versus (5.1 +/- 0.1) x 10(-6) M-1 s-1 (in the absence of glucose) and k- = (1.3 +/- 0.1) s-1 versus (14.0 +/- 0.3) s-1. As deduced from substrate-specificity studies and inhibition experiments, subsite B interacts with terminal non-reducing glucopyranosyl residues of oligomeric ligands and substrates, whereas catalytic (hydrolytic) cleavage occurs between C and D. Association constants 10-100 times higher than those for cellobiose or its glycosides were observed for D-glucopyranosyl-(1----4)-beta-D-xylopyranose and cellobionolactone derivatives, suggesting 'transition-state'-type binding for these ligands at subsite C. Although subsite D can accomodate a bulky chromophoric group (MeUmb) its preference for a glucosyl residue is reflected in the lower binding enthalpy of cellotriose (-34 kJ mol-1) as compared to cellobiose (-28.3 kJ mol-1) and MeUmb(Glc)2 (-11.6 kJ mol-1). This model indicates that oligomeric ligands (substrates) interact through cooperativity of their subunits at the extended binding site of cellobiohydrolase II.

Binding Sites

Two glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase isozymes from the koningic acid (heptelidic acid) producer Trichoderma koningii.

The sesquiterpene lactone koningic acid (heptelidic acid) irreversibly inactivated glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase [D-glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate: NAD+ oxidoreductase (phosphorylating)] (EC 1.2.1.12) (GAPDH) and thus inhibits glycolysis. The koningic-acid-producing strain of Trichoderma koningii M3947 was shown to contain the koningic-acid-resistant GAPDH isozyme (GAPDH I) under conditions of koningic acid production. In peptone-rich medium, however, no koningic acid production was observed, and the koningic-acid-sensitive GAPDH isozyme (GAPDH II), in addition to the resistant enzyme, was produced. Both enzymes were tetramer with a molecular mass of 152 kDa (4 x 38 kDa) and lost enzyme activity when two of the four cysteine residues reacted with koningic acid. The apparent Km values of GAPDH I and II for glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate were 0.54 mM and 0.33 mM, respectively. The former isozyme was inhibited 50% by 1 mM koningic acid but not affected at 0.1 mM, while the latter isozyme was inhibited 50% at 0.01 mM. The immunochemical properties and partial amino acid sequences suggested that the two isozymes have different molecular structures. These results suggest that GAPDH I is responsible for the glycolysis in T. koningii when koningic acid is produced.

Amino Acid Sequence

Tricholongins BI and BII, 19-residue peptaibols from Trichoderma longibrachiatum. Solution structure from two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy.

Two nonadecapeptides, tricholongins BI and BII, which display antifungal and antibacterial activities, have been isolated from in vitro cultures of the fungus Trichoderma longibrachiatum. The peptides were separated by reversed-phase HPLC; their amino acid compositions were determined by gas chromatography and their sequences by positive-ion fast-atom-bombardment mass spectrometry and high-field NMR. These linear peptides, containing mainly hydrophobic L-amino acids, 8-9 2-aminoisobutyric acid residues and exhibiting an acetylated N-terminal residue and an amino alcohol C-terminal leucinol belong to the peptaibol class. The methanol solution structure of tricholongins BI and BII has been investigated using both one- and two-dimensional NMR techniques. The total 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR assignments are given. By a combination of the 3JNH,C alpha H coupling constant values, temperature coefficients of the NH and CO groups, amide hydrogen/deuterium-exchange rate measurements and NOE data, a secondary structure for tricholongins in solution has been proposed. Both peptides adopt a similar alpha-helical conformation with a hinge around Pro13 resulting from two 3(10) bonds. The results suggest that the N-terminus contains mixed alpha/3(10) bonds. The membrane permeability modifications induced by tricholongins have been assayed by the use of liposomes composed of egg phosphatidylcholine with 20-30% cholesterol. The peptide-induced leakage of an entrapped fluorescent probe has been followed by fluorescence spectroscopy. In a concentration range of 0.13-0.31 microM, tricholongins induce the leakage of 50% of the entrapped material in 20 min.

Amino Acid Sequence

Purification and characterization of two xylanases from Trichoderma longibrachiatum.

Two endoxylanases were purified from the culture medium of Trichoderma longibrachiatum. Both enzymes were highly basic, and lacked activity on carboxymethyl-cellulose. An enzyme of 21.5 kDa (xylanase A) had a specific activity of 510 U/mg protein, a Km of 0.15 mg soluble xylan/ml, possessed transglycosidase activity and generated xylobiose and xylotriose as the major endproducts from xylan or xylose oligomers. A larger enzyme of 33 kDa (xylanase B) had a specific activity of 131 U/mg protein, a Km of 0.19 mg soluble xylan/ml, lacked detectable transglycosidase activity and generated xylobiose and xylose as major endproducts from xylan and xylose oligomers. Xylotriose was the smallest oligomer attacked by both enzymes. In addition, xylotriose inhibited hydrolysis of xylopentanose by both enzymes, while xylobiose appeared to inhibit xylanase B, but not xylanase A.

Chromatography, Gel

The endo-1,4-beta-glucanase I from Trichoderma reesei. Action on beta-1,4-oligomers and polymers derived from D-glucose and D-xylose.

The reaction mechanism of the non-specific endo-1,4-beta-glucanase from Trichoderma reesei QM 9414 (endoglucanase I) was investigated using both reducing-end3H-labelled and universally 14C-labelled cellooligosaccharides, as well as reducing-end3H-labelled xylooligosaccharides. The bond cleavage frequencies of cellooligosaccharides proved to be dependent upon the substrate concentration, especially in the case of cellotriose. In addition to simple hydrolytic cleavage, the enzyme catalyzes reactions along alternative pathways, including transglycosylations leading to products larger than the substrate. Some of these pathways were shown to be reversible. During cellotriose or cellopentaose degradation, substrate resynthesis was demonstrated by incorporation of added radioactive D-glucose or cellobiose. The endoglucanase I is active on xylan and xylooligosaccharides, but less than on soluble cellulose derivatives (e.g. hydroxyethylcellulose) and cellooligosaccharides. The fact that for these different types of substrates the same active site is operative is proven by the ability of the enzyme to utilize cellooligosaccharides and xylooligosaccharides as both glycosyl donors and acceptors. The mixed substrate reactions lead to products composed of D-glucosyl and D-xylosyl residues. The kinetic parameters for cellooligosaccharide degradation can be used for the description of an extended substrate binding site. Of the four putative glycosyl subsites, -II and +II show the highest affinities, 16.7 kJ.mol-1 and 7.1 kJ.mol-1, respectively.

Cellulase

Isolation and characterization of three chitinases from Trichoderma harzianum.

Three proteins which display chitinase activity were purified from the supernatants of Trichoderma harzianum CECT 2413 grown in minimal medium supplemented with chitin as the sole carbon source. Purification was carried out after protein precipitation with ammonium sulphate, adsorption to colloidal chitin and digestion, and, finally, chromatofocusing. By this procedure, two chitinases of 42 kDa (CHIT42) and 37 kDa (CHIT37) were purified to homogeneity, as judged by SDS/PAGE and gel filtration, whereas a third, of 33 kDa (CHIT33), was highly purified. The isoelectric points for CHIT42, CHIT37 and CHIT33 were 6.2, 4.6 and 7.8, respectively. The three enzymes displayed endochitinase activities and showed different kinetic properties. CHIT33 was able to hydrolyze chitin oligomers of a polymerization degree higher than n = 4, its Km for colloidal chitin being 0.3 mg/ml. CHIT42 and CHIT37 were able to hydrolyze chitin oligomers with a minimal polymerization degree of n = 3, their Km values for colloidal chitin being 1.0 mg/ml and 0.5 mg/ml respectively. With regard to their lytic activity with purified cell walls of the phytopathogenic fungus Botrytis cinerea, a hydrolytic action was observed only when CHIT42 was present. Antibodies against CHIT42 and CHIT37 specifically recognized the proteins and did not display cross-reaction, suggesting that each protein is encoded by a different gene.

Carbohydrate Conformation

Trichoderma viride infection in a liver transplant recipient.

A liver transplant recipient developed infection of a perihepatic haematoma due to Trichoderma viride. Before the infection was diagnosed, the patient received intense immuno-suppressive and prolonged antibacterial and anti-fungal therapies. Although the death of the patient was not directly related to the fungal infection, abundant quantities of this pathogen were recovered in the haematoma at post-mortem examination, despite previous surgical removal and treatment with amphotericin B and fluconazole.

Adult

beta-Glucosidases from cellulolytic fungi Aspergillus terreus, Geotrichum candidum, and Trichoderma longibrachiatum as typical glycosidases.

By ethanol precipitation (v/v) and chromatography on Sephadex SP, DEAE (or DEAE-cellulose), and G-200 beta-glucosidases (EC 3.2.1.21) from the culture filtrates of cellulolytic fungi Aspergillus terreus, Geotrichum candidum, and Trichoderma longibrachiatum grown on the medium with cellulose containing materials were isolated. The enzymes were homogenous as shown by different techniques. The substrate specificities of the obtained enzymes were studied. beta-Glucosidases had higher affinity for p-nitrophenyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside than for cellobiose (Km 1.25, 0.34, 0.20 and 5.4, 2.0, 1.2 mM, respectively) and were able to hydrolyze both laminaribiose and gentiobiose; but they were unable to cleave cotton fiber, carboxymethylcellulose, and other glycans to reducing sugars. They showed transglycosylase activity. Ki values for arylglucosidase activity of beta-glucosidases from A. terreus, G. candidum, and T. longibrachiatum in the presence of either glucose or glucono-1,5-lactone were 12.2, 6.0, 2.1 and 0.20, 0.19, 0.07 mM, respectively. The Mr's were estimated by gel filtration and by sedimentation equilibrium centrifugation to 200,000, 200,000, 350,000, respectively. The isoelectric points of beta-glucosidases were 4.8, 5.9, and 4.2, respectively. The optimum temperatures and pH's were 60, 50, and 50 degrees C and at pH 4.5, 4.5, and 4.8-5.7, respectively. These properties appear to relate beta-glucosidases obtained in the present study to typical glycosidases.

Aspergillus