Beta-agarase, member of glycosyl hydrolase family 16
Beta-agarase is a glycosyl hydrolase family 16 (GH16) member that hydrolyzes the internal beta-1,4-linkage of agarose, a hydrophilic polysaccharide found in the cell wall of Rhodophyceaea, marine red algae. Agarose is a linear chain of galactose units linked by alternating L-alpha-1,3- and D-beta-1,4-linkages that are additionally modified by a 3,6-anhydro-bridge. Agarose forms thermo-reversible gels that are widely used in the food industry or as a laboratory medium. While beta-agarases are also found in two other families derived from the sequence-based classification of glycosyl hydrolases (GH50, and GH86) the GH16 members are most abundant. This domain adopts a curved beta-sandwich conformation, with a tunnel-shaped active site cavity, referred to as a jellyroll fold.
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