Isolation and partial characterization of an induced chondroitinase B from flavobacterium heparinum

Abstract

A chondroitinase that degrades only chondroitin sulfate B was isolated from F. heparinum previously grown in the presence of chondroitin sulfates A, B or C. The chondroitinase B was separated from a constitutional chondroitinase AC also present in F. heparinum extracts. This enzyme acts only upon chondroitin sulfate B, producing oligo- and tetra- saccharides plus an unsaturated 4-sulfated disaccharide (Δ Di-4S). The oligosaccharide is in turn susceptible only to the chondroitinase AC, producing (Δ Di-4S) and other products. The action of these two enzymes confirms the hybrid nature of chondroitin sulfate B. © 1974 Academic Press, Inc.