The chitin-degrading enzyme system of a Streptomyces species

1. In the study of natural chitin metabolism by a strain of Streptomyces, we have separated by affinity chromatography the different extracellular chitinolytic enzymes synthetised by the microorganism. 2. N-acetylglucosaminidase (pHi = 3.6) with activity against the synthetic soluble derivatives from beta-D-N-acetylglucosamine, and against the chitobiose, with respectively pH optimum = 4.4-4.7 and 5.3 (mol. wt = 50,000). 3. N-acetylhexosaminidase (pHi = 8.5) with activity against M.U.G. 4. Chitinase (pHi = 4.25) with solubilizing activity against colloïdal chitin, and hydrolyzing activity against 3,4-dinitrophenylchitotetraoside, if the pH is 6 less than pH less than 10. (mol. wt 56,000). 5. Chitinases (pHi = 7.5 and 8.2) with activity against colloïdal chitin if the pH is 4.5 less than pH less than 9. (mol wt = 20,000).