Expression of multiple complex polysaccharide-degrading enzyme systems by marine bacterium strain 2-40.

Saprophytic marine bacterium strain 2-40 (2-40) can degrade numerous complex polysaccharides (CP) including agar, alginic acid, carrageenan, carboxymethylcellulose, chitin, beta-glucan, laminarin, pectin, pullulan, starch, and xylan. The growth of 2-40 was assessed in minimal media containing one of 16 CP or simple carbohydrates, with the result that all supported growth. Each of the carbohydrase systems was elicited at highest levels by the homologous substrate. Each, excluding amylase, was repressed when 2-40 was cultured in glucose minimal synthetic media. Cyclic adenosine monophosphate alleviated the repression. Agarose as sole carbon source supported the synthesis of the most heterologous complex carbohydrase systems, although, generally, at a lower level of activity than the homologous CP.