endohydrolysis of (1->3)-alpha-L-fucoside linkages in fucan
Comment
The enzyme specifically hydrolyses (1->3)-alpha-L-fucoside linkages in fucan. Fucans are found mainly in different species of seaweed and are sulfated polysaccharides with a backbone of (1->3)-linked or alternating (1->3)- and (1->4)-linked alpha-L-fucopyranosyl residues. In the literature, the sulfated polysaccharides are often called fucoidans. Fucoidans include polysaccharides with a relatively low proportion of fucose and some polysaccharides that have a backbone composed of other saccharides with fucose in the branching side chains. The sulfation of the alpha-L-fucopyranosyl residues may occur at positions 2 and 4. The enzyme degrades fucan to sulfated alpha-L-fucooligosaccharides but neither L-fucose nor small fucooligosaccharides are produced.
History
EC 3.2.1.211 created 1972 as EC 3.2.1.44, part transferred 2020 to EC 3.2.1.211
Reference
1
Authors
Thanassi, N.M. and Nakada, H.I.
Title
Enzymic degradation of fucoidan by enzymes from the hepatopancreas of abalone, Halotus species.
Sulfated fucans, fresh perspectives: structures, functions, and biological properties of sulfated fucans and an overview of enzymes active toward this class of polysaccharide.
