Molecular cloning and functional characterization of an endo-β-1,3-glucanase from Streptomyces matensis ATCC 23935

A gene encoding an endo-β-1,3-glucanase from Streptomyces matensis ATCC 23935 (SmβG) was characterised by cloning and expressing it in Escherichia coli. The purified enzyme produced β-1,3-glucooligosaccharides, mainly laminaripentaose, from insoluble curdlan. The optimum pH and temperature were 6.0 and 55 °C, respectively. SmβG inhibited the growth of Candida albicans, which indicates that this enzyme could be potentially used as an anti-fungal agent to control invasive Candida infections. The results suggest that SmβG may be a useful bioavailable β-1,3-glucanase.