Immunoelectrophoretic characterization of cellulolytic enzymes of fungal origin

A crude cellulase preparation from Gliocladium sp. was immunochemically characterized and the components of cellulolytic activity were identified. Nineteen different antigenic components could be detected by crossed-isoelectric focusing immunoelectrophoresis. The 28 components separated by preparative isoelectric focusing from the above preparation were characterized by fused-rocket immunoelectrophoresis using polyspecific antisera. The main protein components in the enzyme complex were found to be endoglucanases with pI values between 3.2 and 5.3. Most of the antigenically active components proved to be glycoproteins.