EC Explorer

3.2.1.211

endo-(1→3)-fucoidanase

endohydrolysis of (1→3)-α-L-fucoside linkages in fucan

α-L-fucosidase (incorrect), poly(1,3-α-L-fucoside-2/4-sulfate) glycanohydrolase

poly[(1→3)-α-L-fucoside-2/4-sulfate] glycanohydrolase

The enzyme specifically hydrolyses (1→3)-α-L-fucoside linkages in fucan. Fucans are found mainly in different species of seaweed and are sulfated polysaccharides with a backbone of (1→3)-linked or alternating (1→3)- and (1→4)-linked α-L-fucopyranosyl residues. In the literature, the sulfated polysaccharides are often called fucoidans. Fucoidans include polysaccharides with a relatively low proportion of fucose and some polysaccharides that have a backbone composed of other saccharides with fucose in the branching side chains. The sulfation of the α-L-fucopyranosyl residues may occur at positions 2 and 4. The enzyme degrades fucan to sulfated α-L-fucooligosaccharides but neither L-fucose nor small fucooligosaccharides are produced.

created 1972 as EC 3.2.1.44, part transferred 2020 to EC 3.2.1.211