PURIFICATION AND SOME PROPERTIES OF 2 BETA-N-ACETYLHEXOSAMINIDASES FROM THE HEPATOPANCREAS OF NORTHERN SHRIMP, PANDALUS-BOREALIS

1. Two beta-hexosaminidases were obtained from the hepatopancreas of the Northern shrimp Pandalus borealis by ion-exchange chromatography, gel filtration and hydrophobic interaction chromatography. According to the substrate specificities, both enzymes are beta-N-acetylhexosaminidases (EC 3.2.1.52), designated forms I and II. 2. The two enzyme forms have an absolute requirement for the N-acetylated sugar moiety and the beta-glycosidic linkage, and showed no significant difference in the preference for the 4-C-epimer of glucose over galactose. 3. Form II is more efficient hydrolyzing the di-, tri- and tetramer of N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosamine than form I. 4. Beta-N-Acetylhexosaminidase form I has a slightly lower pH-optimum than form II.