Novel inducers of the xylan-degrading enzyme system of Cryptococcus albidus

A series of compounds structurally related to xylan and 1,4-beta-xylobiose were tested as inducers of the xylan-degrading enzyme system of Cryptococcus albidus. Washed, glucose-grown cells were incubated with alpha- and beta-linked xylobioses, 4-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-L-arabinopyranose, 3-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-xylobiose, 6-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-cellobiose, cellobiose, and methyl beta-D-xylopyranoside. All alpha-xylobioses and cellobiose were inactive as inducers of the xylan-degrading enzyme system. Other compounds served as inducers of varying efficiency, depending on their concentration in the induction medium and the time of incubation of cells. The most rapid response of the cells, i.e., the shortest induction period of beta-xyloside permease, beta-xylosidase (EC 3.2.1.37), and beta-xylanase (EC 3.2.1.8), was observed with 1,4-beta-xylobiose, which was the most efficient inducer at low concentrations (0.1 to 0.2 mM). At higher concentrations (2 to 10 mM) and after long incubations, the highest enzyme yields were obtained with 1,2-beta-xylobiose. The results represent a new example of efficient induction of polysaccharide-degrading enzyme systems by positional isomers of dimers derived from the polysaccharide.