Cellulases from Sporocytophaga myxococcoides. Purification and Properties

Two extracellular cellulases active on carboxymethylcellulose have been isolated from the culture supernatant of Sporocytophaga myxococcoides by a series of gel-filtration and ion-exchange chromatography steps. Cellulase II, being present in highest amount, had a molecular weight determined by gel electrophoresis of 52000, pI 4.75 and a relatively broad pH optimum (5.5--7.5). Cellulase I had a molecular weight of 46000. pI was 7.5 and the pH optimum 6.5--7.5. Both cellulases had a very low carbohydrate content, possibly present as impurities. They had fairly similar amino acid compositions. The specific acitivity of cellulase I was about 6 times higher than that of cellulase II. Both cellulases acted as endoglucanases. A cell-associated cellulase, present in amounts corresponding to about 10% of total activity, was partly purified. It showed similarities with cellulase II.