Purification and characterisation of two endo-(1 linked to 3)-beta-D-glucanases from Telescopium telescopium.

The crystalline style of the gastropod Telescopium telescopium contains two (1 linked to 3)-beta-D-glucanases and a beta-D-glucosidase. The two glucanases (I and II) have been purified and shown to be endo-enzymes. Both enzymes attack laminarin, carboxymethylpachyman, and lichenin, but have no action towards carboxymethyl-cellulose. The main products of hydrolysis of laminarin are D-glucose and beta-(1 linked to 3)-linked oligosaccharides of d.p. 2, 3, and 4. Glucanases I and II are similar to each other, although they differ in molecular weight and kinetic properties.