Purification and characterization of endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase of Aspergillus oryzae

An endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase which hydrolyzes the N,N'-diacetylchitobiosyl linkage in asparagine-linked oligosaccharides was purified from the enzyme product of Aspergillus oryzae. Its substrate specificity was similar to that of endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase H from Streptomyces griseus with respect to the relative activities toward the glycopeptides obtained from ovalbumin and bovine IgG. The present endoglycosidase exhibited a broad optimum pH range and was relatively stable. Metal ions, chelating agents and D-mannose did not have a significant effect on the enzyme activity.