Mode of action of pectic enzymes. II. Further purification of exopolygalacturonate lyase and pectinesterase from Clostridium multifermentans.

Exopolygalacturonate lyase and pectinesterase from Clostridium multifermentans were purified 156-fold and 178-fold, respectively, by gel filtration chromatography on Sephadex G-200. The activities of both enzymes coincided in a single protein peak. Profiles of the two activities also coincided in diethylaminoethyl-cellulose chromatography and zonal centrifugation. These studies indicated that the esterase and the lyase were either complexed or similar molecular species. The former seems more probable because of the relatively high molecular weight. Both activities were most stable at pH 6.0. The esterase was inactivated rapidly at pH 5 or 7. Lyase preparations were freed of pectinesterase activity by heating for 30 min at 38 C and pH 7.0.