SPECIFIC DEGRADATION OF CRYPTOCOCCUS NEOFORMANS 3723 CAPSULAR POLYSACCHARIDE BY A MICROBIAL ENZYME: I. ISOLATION, PARTIAL PURIFICATION, AND PROPERTIES OF THE ENZYME

A partially purified intracellular enzyme from a species of Alcaligenes is described which specifically initiates the degradation of the he heteropolysaccharide of Cryptococcus neoformans, isolate 3723, The enzyme is active in the presence of serum and can be inactivated by heating at 45 °C for 10 minutes, The kinetics of the enzyme reaction are similar to those of other enzymes. Recovery and identification of the four known monosaccharides from enzymatic hydrolyzates suggest the presence of a number of other enzymes in these preparations.