DETECTION OF SIALIDASE ACTIVITY IN OERSKOVIA (CELLULOMONAS) TURBATA

The enzyme N-acyleuraminate glycohydrolase, E.C. 3.2.1.18 (sialidase o r neuraminidase) was detected in all five strains of Oerskovia (Cellul omonas) turbata and in a further strain isolated from clinical materia l. The detection of sialidase was performed by different methods, i.e. colorimetric determination of liberated chromogen, immunoelectrophore sis and paper chromatography. The Oerskovia turbata sialidase is able to cleave different linkages between N-acylneuraminic acid and the car bohydrate chains of oligosaccharides or polysaccharides and of glycopr oteins, i.e. the 2-->3, 2-->6, and 2-->8 linkages. Finally, the ecolog ic and pathogenic role of neuraminidase is discussed.