Physico-chemical and functional characterization of a high molecular weight carboxymethylcellulase from Cuscuta reflexa.

Carboxymethylcellulase (CMCase) was extracted and purified from an angiosperm parasite Cuscuta reflexa free from beta-glucosidase and other enzyme activities. The molecular mass and Stokes' radius of the purified enzyme are 144 kDa and 44 A, respectively. The diffusion coefficient and frictional ratio of the enzyme were 5.15 x 10(-7) cm2/sec and 1.27. The SDS-PAGE revealed homotetrameric nature of the enzyme with a subunit molecular mass of 35 +/- 1 kDa. Titration against DTNB and NBS revealed 19 sulfhydryl groups and 8 tryptophan groups, respectively, per mole of the enzyme. A sharp pH optimum at 5.0 was obtained. Cuscuta CMCase activity is unique amongst plant endoglucanases in being stimulated by Mg2+ and Mn2+ ions and by various thiols. Reaction product analysis, mode of enzyme action and substrate specificity test suggest the endo- nature of the purified CMCase. The enzyme showed K(m) value of 26 +/- 1 mg/ml for carboxymethylcellulose (sodium salt).