Purification and properties of beta-fructofuranosidase from Clostridium perfringens

beta-Fructofuranosidase [EC 3.2.1.26] in Clostridium perfringens was induced in the presence of sucrose and suppressed in the presence of glucose or maltose. The enzyme seems to be present in protoplasm in a soluble state. The beta-fructofuranosidase from C. perfringens cells grown on sucrose was purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation. DEAE-cellulose chromatography, Sephadex G-150 gel filtration, and hydroxylapatite chromatography to a homogeneous state. The molecular weight was 37,000 by gel filtration using Sephadex G-150 and by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The amino acid composition is not much different from those of other microorganisms, but the Glx content was a little higher. The enzyme was inhibited by heavy metals, such as Hg2+, Cu2+, and Ag+, as well as pCMB; the activity was restored by incubating with mercaptoethanol. Fructose and amines including Tris and aniline had inhibitory effects.