Formation of glycoprotein degrading enzymes by Bacteroides fragilis

Bacteroides fragilis NCDO 2217 produced a wide range of cell-associated hydrolytic enzymes (neuraminidase, alpha-fucosidase, alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase, beta-galactosidase, beta-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, alpha-fucosidase, alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase and to a lesser extent, beta-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.