A xylanase from roots of sanchi ginseng (Panax notoginseng) with inhibitory effects on human immunodeficiency virus-1 reverse transcriptase.

A xylanase with a molecular weight of 15 kDa, which is lower than those of previously reported xylanases, was isolated from the roots of the medicinal herb Panax notoginseng. The xylanase exhibits a temperature optimum of 50 degrees C and a pH optimum between 5 and 6. It inhibits HIV-1 reverse transcriptase with an IC(50) of 10 microM, but does not affect translation in a cell-free rabbit reticulocyte system when tested up to 70 microM. The enzyme is adsorbed on CM-cellulose, Affi-gel blue gel and Mono S. Previously xylanases have been isolated from seeds and not from roots, and have not been demonstrated to inhibit HIV-1 reverse transcriptase.