Mode of action and synergism of cellulases from Penicillium funiculosum.

A 1,4-beta-D-glucan cellobiohydrolase (EC 3.2.1.91) and 1,4-beta-D-glucan glucanohydrolase (EC 3.2.1.4) were purified from the culture filtrates of Penicillium funiculosum by using preparative isoelectric focusing. Both the enzymes were homogeneous on polyacrylamide gel with and without sodium dodecyl sulphate. The mol wt of the cellobiohydrolase and endoglucanase were 14,400 and 25,000 respectively. The purified enzymes were free of beta-glucosidase activity. Acting in isolation, the cellobiohydrolase had little capacity for solubilizing Avicel or Walseth cellulose, but showed increased rates of hydrolysis when combined with endoglucanase. Cellobiose inhibition (50%) was observed in the initial rate of the hydrolysis of Walseth cellulose. It was also observed that cellobiohydrolase initiates the attack on crystalline cellulose.