Molecular cloning and functional characterization of an endo-β-1,3-glucanase from Streptomyces matensis ATCC 23935

Abstract

A gene encoding an endo-β-1,3-glucanase from Streptomyces matensis ATCC 23935 (SmβG) was characterised by cloning and expressing it in Escherichia coli. The purified enzyme produced β-1,3-glucooligosaccharides, mainly laminaripentaose, from insoluble curdlan. The optimum pH and temperature were 6.0 and 55 C, respectively. SmβG inhibited the growth of Candida albicans, which indicates that this enzyme could be potentially used as an anti-fungal agent to control invasive Candida infections. The results suggest that SmβG may be a useful bioavailable β-1,3-glucanase.