α-D-Glucans Having Unique Structures in Wheat Bran Extracts Stimulate the Production of Penicillolysin (a Metalloprotease) from Penicillium citrinum

Abstract

We purified a substance which stimulated the production of penicillolycin, an extracellular metalloprotease of Penicillium citrinum from wheat bran extracts and studied its structural features. Based on the results from ¹H-NMR measurements and enzymatic hydrolysis, the substance was found to be small α-1,4-1,6-branched glucan mixtures having a molecular mass of about 7 kDa with short side chains attached to 6 position of α-1,4-linked main chains. The structure was different from glycogen with respect to the molecular mass and the side chain distribution patterns.