ARABINAN DEGRADING ENZYMES FROM ASPERGILLUS-NIDULANS - INDUCTION AND PURIFICATION

The presence in Aspergillus nidulans of two enzymes related to the Asp ergillus niger endo-arabinase and alpha-L-arabinofuranosidase B has be en established using antibodies against the purified A. niger enzymes. Moreover, the absence of an equivalent in A. nidulans to the alpha-L- arabinofuranosidase A of A. niger has been confirmed both at the prote in and at the DNA level. Both A. nidulans arabinases have been purifie d and physico-chemically and kinetically characterized. They have a mu ch higher temperature optimum than the corresponding A. niger enzymes. The pattern of induction has been studied on media containing differe nt carbon sources showing an important role of L-arabitol in the induc tion of these enzymes.