Kinetic properties and substrate specificities of two cellulases from auxin-treated pea epicotyls

Two cellulases purified from growing regions of auxin-treated peas (buffer-soluble and buffer-insoluble) hydrolyze cellulose powder, partially substituted carboxymethylcellulose (CM-cellulose), higher cellodextrins, and certain mixed linkage glucans (e.g. barley beta-glucan), at rates comparable to these reported for the most active fungal cellulases, and with kinetics and product formation characteristic of endohydrolase action. They are unable to cleave 1,3-linkages in beta-glucans, or 1,4-linkages in dextrins containing excessive substitution at C6, alpha configuration, alternating beta-1,3- and 1,4-linkages, or residues other than anhydroglucose. They are not active towards cellobiose or the 1,4-linkage adjacent to the reducing end of cellodextrin chains. It is concluded that buffer-soluble and buffer-insoluble cellulases are true beta-1,4-glucan 4-glucanohydrolases (EC 3.2.1.4). On a molar basis, Vmax values for buffer-insoluble are higher than buffer-soluble cellulase acting towards any of the substrates tested, but Km values towards CM-cellulose and cellohexaose are essentially identical. Both cellulases were inhibited by C12+, Hg2+, and sulfhydryl-binding reagents. Buffer-insoluble, but not buffer-soluble, cellulose was inactivated by reagents that bind serine and threonine, which reflects differences in their amino acid composition. No major qualitative differences have been detected in the mode of action of the two enzymes. Despite marked differences in their physical and immunological properties, close similarities between buffer-soluble and buffer-insoluble enzymic properties suggest that their active sites are the same.