Beta-glucanases of the yeast Pichia polymorpha.

Fractionation of proteins secreted into the culture medium by intact cells and protoplasts of Pichia polymorpha showing enzyme activity against laminarin, pustulan or p-nitrophenyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside has been performed, and the results compared with those obtained with cell-free extracts and lysed protoplasts. Fractionation with DEAE Sephadex A50 has proved to be the best method, yielding at least three fractions which hydrolyse laminarin. One of these fractions was active on both laminarin and pustulan. Filtration on Sephadex G-100 column only yielded one active preparation. Evidence supporting the conclusion that there are three different beta-glucanases located in the periplasmic space is presented.