alpha-D-galactosidase from soybeans destroying blood-group B antigens. Purification by affinity chromatography and properties

Eur J Biochem. 1977 Jul 15;77(2):419-26. doi: 10.1111/j.1432-1033.1977.tb11682.x.

Abstract

alpha-D-Galactosidase was isolated from untoasted soybean meal and purified to homogeneity by affinity chromatography on N-epsilon-aminoacaproyl alpha-D-galactopyranosylamine-Sepharose. The purified enzyme destroyed the B-specificity of human ovarian cyst B-glycoprotein with an accompanying increase in H-specificity, and converted human type-B erythrocytes to type O. The enzyme consists primarily of a tetramer, molecular weight 150 000 +/- 5 000 at pH 4.0 and of a monomer, molecular weight 40 000 +/- 3 000 at pH 8.0. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in dodecyl sulfate at pH 7.2 distinguished between two types of monomeric unit of similar molecular weight. N-terminal alanine was identified as the sole N-terminal amino acid residue. The enzyme was shown to be devoid of carbohydrate.

MeSH terms

  • ABO Blood-Group System*
  • Amino Acids / analysis
  • Antigens
  • Chromatography, Affinity
  • Female
  • Galactosidases* / isolation & purification
  • Galactosidases* / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Kinetics
  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Molecular Weight
  • Ovarian Cysts
  • Plants / enzymology*

Substances

  • ABO Blood-Group System
  • Amino Acids
  • Antigens
  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Galactosidases