Characterization of an α-L-Rhamnosidase from Streptomyces avermitilis.

The putative α-L-rhamnosidase gene from Streptomyces avermitilis was cloned and expressed. The recombinant enzyme released L-rhamnose from p-nitrophenyl α-L-rhamnoside, Citrus flavonoids such as naringin, rutin, and hesperidin, and gum arabic which is an arabinogalactan-protein. Calcium ions increased L-rhamnose production by the enzyme from gum arabic, whereas enzyme activity was not affected by any metal ions.