Temperature-dependent patterns of exoenzyme biosynthesis in Thermomonospora curvata

Production of depolymerlzing exoenzymes in the thermophilic actinomycete, Thermomonospora curvata, grown at 40°, 50° and 61°C, were compared. Cellulase-specific activities were similar at the three growth temperatures. Amylase-and pectinase-specific activities decreased with increasing growth temperature, while xylanase had the reverse pattern. This pattern of thermodependence correlated with ability of the actinomycete to use the product of each exoenzyme as sole carbon source. Therefore the activities of depolymerizing enzymes produced by the actinomycete during the composting temperature ascent are influenced by its ability to utillize each depolymerization product at that temperature.