Detection of beta-glucanase activity on various beta-1,3 and beta-1,4-glucans after native and denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

beta-Glucanases were detected after polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under native and denaturing conditions using various beta-1,3- and beta-1,4-glucans, including mixed glucans (laminarin, pachyman, carboxymethyl cellulose, lichenan and barley beta-glucan). After electrophoresis and incubation of gels, substrates incorporated into polyacrylamide gels were stained with specific fluorochromes, Sirofluor for beta-1,3 linkages and Calcofluor White M2R for beta-1,4 linkages. Under UV illumination, lysis zones appeared as dark bands against a fluorescent background. Enzymes of bacterial, fungal and plant sources could be revealed sequentially in gles containing mixed beta-(1,3)(1,4)-glucans by staining first with sirofluor followed by staining with Calcofluor White M2R. Active profiles were more diverse when substrates were stained with sirofluor. The use of purified sirofluor at pH 11.5 compared with Aniline Blue at pH 8.6 allowed better detection of beta-1,3-glucanase activities. In gels containing laminarin stained with sirofluor, bands exhibiting a more intense fluorescence than the background fluorescence were observed in addition to dark nonfluorescent bands. It is postulated that these two types of beta-1,3-glucanase activities differ by their enzymatic action (partial versus extensive hydrolysis). Analysis of fungal extracts using denaturing gels embedded with various beta-glucans displayed lysis bands migrating between 32 and 35 kDa.