Abstract
Cyclomaltodextrin glucanotransferase (EC 2.4.1.19, abbreviated as CGTase) derived from Bacillus stearothermophilus produced a series of transfer products from a mixture of cyclomaltohexaose and cyclic tetrasaccharide (cyclo{→6)-α-D-Glcp-(1→3)-α-D-Glcp-(1→6)-α-D-Glcp-(1→3)-α-D-Glcp-(1→}, CTS). Of the transfer products, only two components, saccharides A and D, remained and accumulated after digestion with glucoamylase. The total combined yield of the saccharides reached 63.4% of total sugars, and enzymatic and instrumental analyses revealed the structures of both saccharides. Saccharide A was identified as4-mono-O-α-glucosyl-CTS, {→6)-[α-D-Glcp-(1→4)]-α-D-Glcp-(1→3)-α-D-Glcp-(1→6)-α-D-Glcp-(1→3)-α-D-Glcp-(1→}, and sachharide D was 4,4′-di-O-α-glucosyl-CTS, {→6)-[α-D-Glcp-(1→4)]-α-D-Glcp-(1→3)-α-D-Glcp-(1→6)-[α-D-Glcp-(1→4)]-α-D-Glcp-(1→3)-α-D-Glcp-(1→}. These structures led us to conclude that the glycosyltransfer catalyzed by CGTase was specific to the C4-OH of the 6-linked glucopyranosyl residues in CTS.