Purification and characterization of a sialidase from Clostridium chauvoei NC08596

The sialidase secreted by Clostridium chauvoei NC08596 was purified to apparent homogeneity by ion-exchange chromatography, gel filtration, hydrophobic interaction-chromatography, FPLC ion-exchange chromatography, and FPLC gel filtration. The enzyme was enriched about 10,200-fold, reaching a final specific activity of 24.4 U mg-1. It has a relatively high molecular mass of 300 kDa and consists of two subunits each of 150 kDa. The cations Mn2+, Mg2+, and Ca2+ and bovine serum albumin have a positive effect on the sialidase activity, while Hg2+, Cu2+, and Zn2+, chelating agents and salt decrease enzyme activity. The substrate specificity, kinetic data, and pH optimum of the enzyme are similar to those of other bacterial sialidases.