MECHANISM OF ACTION AND SPECIFICITY OF EN DO-1-]3-BETA-D-GLUCANASES FROM MARINE MOLLUSKS

Comparative studies of the transferase and hydrolase action of endo-1- ->3-beta-D-glucanases are reviewed. Ability of the enzymes to catalyze the transglucosylation reaction and, at the same time, to give glucos e as the main product was discussed. Differences and similarities betw een the enzymes under study and other groups of carbohydrases were ana lysed. A variety of laminaran structures and structural features of bi ologically active beta-D-glucans obtained from laminarans by enzymic s ynthesis are presented.