Glucuronofucan sulfate

Abstract

Three enzymes degrading sulfated glucuronofucan; processes for producing these enzymes; activators for these enzymes; glucuronofucan sulfate and degradation products thereof; and a novel microorganism.

1 . An α-D-glucuronidase having the following chemical and physical properties: 
 (I) acting on a deacetylated sulfated glucuronofucan and a sulfated glucuronofucan oligosaccharide and hydrolyzing an α-D-glucuronyl bond to release D-glucuronic acid;    (II) having an optimal pH of about 5.8 to 7.8; and    (III) having an optimal temperature of about 14 to 29° C.    
     
     
         2 . A method for producing degradation products of deacetylated sulfated glucuronofucan, the method comprising: 
 allowing the α-D-glucuronidase defined by  claim 1  to act on a deacetylated sulfated glucuronofucan; and    collecting degradation products of deacetylated sulfated glucuronofucan.    
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 allowing an endo-α-L-fucosidase to act on the degradation products of deacetylated sulfated glucuronofucan.    
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein α-D-glucuronidase is acted on a deacetylated sulfated glucurofucan in the presence of sodium chloride, a calcium salt and/or a protein.  
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein deacetylated sulfated glucuronofucan is produced by deacetylating sulfated glucuronofucan with a fucoidan deacetylase or alkali treatment.  
     
     
         6 . A degradation products of deacetylated sulfated glucuronofucan which is obtainable by the method defined by  claim 2  or a salt thereof.  
     
     
         7 . A degradation products of deacetylated sulfated glucuronofucan which is obtainable by the method defined by  claim 3  or a salt thereof.  
     
     
         8 . A degradation products of deacetylated sulfated glucuronofucan which is obtainable by the method defined by  claim 4  or a salt thereof.  
     
     
         9 . A degradation products of deacetylated sulfated glucuronofucan which is obtainable by the method defined by  claim 5  or a salt thereof.