A Bacteroides ovatus chromosomal locus which contains an alpha-galactosidase gene may be important for colonization of the gastrointestinal tract.

An alpha-galactosidase gene has been cloned from the human colonic Bacteroides species Bacteroides ovatus 0038. This alpha-galactosidase appears to be distinct from two previously characterized alpha-galactosidases, I and II, from the same strain and has been designated alpha-galactosidase III. Partially purified alpha-galactosidase III from Escherichia coli EM24 containing pFG61 delta SE had a pI of 7.6, as compared with the reported pI values for the known alpha-galactosidases of 5.6 for I and 6.9 for II. Its molecular weight as estimated on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels was 78,000, whereas the molecular weights of alpha-galactosidases I and II were 85,000 and 80,500, respectively. The only substrate hydrolyzed by alpha-galactosidase III was melibiose, whereas the other two alpha-galactosidases were able to degrade melibiose, raffinose, and stachyose and partially degraded guar gum. alpha-Galactosidase III had a pH optimum of 6.7 to 7.2. Finally, a single crossover insertion which disrupted the gene in the B. ovatus chromosome had no effect on expression of alpha-galactosidases I and II. Although this insertion had no effect on the ability of B. ovatus to grow in laboratory medium on any of the galactoside-containing carbohydrates tested, the insertion mutant was outcompeted by wild type when a combination of mutant and wild type was used to colonize germfree mice. Insertions on either side of the gene had the same effect. Thus, the locus which contains alpha-galactosidase III may be important for colonization in vivo.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

A Bacteroides ovatus chromosomal locus which contains an alpha-galactosidase gene may be important for colonization of the gastrointestinal tract.

An alpha-galactosidase gene has been cloned from the human colonic Bacteroides species Bacteroides ovatus 0038. This alpha-galactosidase appears to be distinct from two previously characterized alpha-galactosidases, I and II, from the same strain and has been designated alpha-galactosidase III. Partially purified alpha-galactosidase III from Escherichia coli EM24 containing pFG61 delta SE had a pI of 7.6, as compared with the reported pI values for the known alpha-galactosidases of 5.6 for I and 6.9 for II. Its molecular weight as estimated on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels was 78,000, whereas the molecular weights of alpha-galactosidases I and II were 85,000 and 80,500, respectively. The only substrate hydrolyzed by alpha-galactosidase III was melibiose, whereas the other two alpha-galactosidases were able to degrade melibiose, raffinose, and stachyose and partially degraded guar gum. alpha-Galactosidase III had a pH optimum of 6.7 to 7.2. Finally, a single crossover insertion which disrupted the gene in the B. ovatus chromosome had no effect on expression of alpha-galactosidases I and II. Although this insertion had no effect on the ability of B. ovatus to grow in laboratory medium on any of the galactoside-containing carbohydrates tested, the insertion mutant was outcompeted by wild type when a combination of mutant and wild type was used to colonize germfree mice. Insertions on either side of the gene had the same effect. Thus, the locus which contains alpha-galactosidase III may be important for colonization in vivo.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Cloning of the gene encoding a novel thermostable alpha-galactosidase from Thermus brockianus ITI360.

An alpha-galactosidase gene from Thermus brockianus ITI360 was cloned, sequenced, and expressed in Escherichia coli, and the recombinant protein was purified. The gene, designated agaT, codes for a 476-residue polypeptide with a calculated molecular mass of 53, 810 Da. The native structure of the recombinant enzyme (AgaT) was estimated to be a tetramer. AgaT displays amino acid sequence similarity to the alpha-galactosidases of Thermotoga neapolitana and Thermotoga maritima and a low-level sequence similarity to alpha-galactosidases of family 36 in the classification of glycosyl hydrolases. The enzyme is thermostable, with a temperature optimum of activity at 93 degrees C with para-nitrophenyl-alpha-galactopyranoside as a substrate. Half-lives of inactivation at 92 and 80 degrees C are 100 min and 17 h, respectively. The pH optimum is between 5.5 and 6.5. The enzyme displayed high affinity for oligomeric substrates. The K(m)s for melibiose and raffinose at 80 degrees C were determined as 4.1 and 11.0 mM, respectively. The alpha-galactosidase gene in T. brockianus ITI360 was inactivated by integrational mutagenesis. Consequently, no alpha-galactosidase activity was detectable in crude extracts of the mutant strain, and it was unable to use melibiose or raffinose as a single carbohydrate source.     

The peritrophic membrane of Spodoptera frugiperda: secretion of peritrophins and role in immobilization and recycling digestive enzymes

A peritrophin from the Spodoptera frugiperda peritrophic membrane (PM) and microvillar proteins from S. frugiperda anterior midgut cells were isolated and used to raise antibodies in a rabbit. These antibodies, as well as a Tenebrio molitor amylase antibody that cross-reacts with S. frugiperda amylases, and wheat-germ aglutinin were used in immunolocalization experiments performed with the aid of confocal fluorescence and immunogold techniques. The results showed that the peritrophin was secreted by anterior midgut columnar cells in vesicles pinched-off the microvilli (microapocrine secretion). The resulting double membrane vesicles become single membrane vesicles by membrane fusion, releasing peritrophin and part of the amylase and trypsin. The remaining membranes still containing microvillar proteins and membrane-bound amylase and trypsin are incorporated into a jelly-like material associated with PM. Calcofluor-treated larvae lacking a PM were shown to lose the decreasing gradient of trypsin and chymotrypsin observed along the midgut of control larvae. This gradient is thought to be formed by a countercurrent flux of fluid (in the space between PM and midgut cells) that powers enzyme recycling.     

α-Galactosidase Aga27A, an Enzymatic Component of the Clostridium josui Cellulosome

The Clostridium josui aga27A gene encodes the cellulosomal alpha-galactosidase Aga27A, which comprises a catalytic domain of family 27 of glycoside hydrolases and a dockerin domain responsible for cellulosome assembly. The catalytic domain is highly homologous to those of various alpha-galactosidases of family 27 of glycoside hydrolases from eukaryotic organisms, especially plants. The recombinant Aga27A alpha-galactosidase devoid of the dockerin domain preferred highly polymeric galactomannan as a substrate to small saccharides such as melibiose and raffinose.     

Expression of rice (Oryza sativa L. var. Nipponbare) alpha-galactosidase genes in Escherichia coli and characterization

Two putative alpha-galactosidase genes from rice (Oryza sativa L. var. Nipponbare) belonging to glycoside hydrolase family 27 were cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. These enzymes showed alpha-galactosidase activity and were purified by Ni Sepharose column chromatography. Two purified recombinant alpha-galactosidases (alpha-galactosidase II and III; alpha-Gal II and III) showed a single protein band on SDS-PAGE with molecular mass of 42 kDa. These two enzymes cleaved not only alpha-D-galactosyl residues from the non-reducing end of substrates such as melibiose, raffinose, and stachyose, but also liberated the galactosyl residues attached to the O-6 position of the mannosyl residue at the reducing-ends of mannobiose and mannotriose. In addition, these enzymes clipped the galactosyl residues attached to the inner-mannosyl residues of mannopentaose. Thus, alpha-Gal II catalyzes efficient degalactosylation of galactomannans, such as guar gum and locust bean gum.     

Absorption of toxic beta-glucosides produced by plants and their effect on tissue trehalases from insects

Trehalases present in body wall, Malpighian tubules, fat body, midgut and haemolymph from Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera), Musca domestica (Diptera), Spodoptera frugiperda and Diatraea saccharalis (Lepidoptera) were assayed in the presence and absence of toxic beta-glucosides produced by plants or their aglycones. The glucosides used were phlorizin, amygdalin, prunasin and the aglycone mandelonitrile. In addition, T. molitor and S. frugiperda trehalases were assayed with and without esculin. More than 60% of total trehalase activity was found in the midgut of these insects. As a rule, trehalases present in each insect were inhibited by at least two of the glucosides. Prunasin was the best inhibitor in tissues with highest trehalase activity. S. frugiperda beta-glucosidases were not able to hydrolyze esculin. Nevertheless, their larval midguts absorb the intact glucoside that is recovered from the fat body, Malpighian tubules and mainly from haemolymph. Mature larvae fed on a diet containing 3 mM (0.1%) esculin have 0.2 mM esculin in their haemolymph, and weigh 60% of control larvae. In vitro, haemolymph trehalase activity is abolished by 0.5 mM esculin. This inhibition may play a role in the decrease of body weight and in animal survival. S. frugiperda larvae reared in 0.1% amygdalin-containing diet present higher trehalase activity in tissues than the larvae reared in 0.1% esculin-containing diet. Higher trehalase activity should be the reason why the S. frugiperda development is not impaired by 1% dietary amygdalin, in contrast to what is observed when insects are reared in 0.1% esculin. The data suggest that many plant beta-glucosides are toxic because they inhibit trehalase, a key enzyme controlling glucose availability in insects.     

Biochemical and genetic analysis of Streptococcus mutans alpha-galactosidase.

The aga gene coding for alpha-galactosidase in Streptococcus mutans was detected in a recombinant gene library constructed in phage lambda. The gene was subcloned into plasmid vectors and shown to specify a novel protein of Mr 80,000. Characterization of alpha-galactosidase from S. mutans and from recombinant Escherichia coli expressing aga indicated that the enzyme functions as a tetramer. The amino acid composition of the alpha-galactosidase, deduced from nucleotide sequencing of aga, gave a predicted Mr of 82,022 and revealed regions of homology to alpha-galactosidases encoded by the E. coli Raf plasmids and by Bacillus stearothermophilus. Inactivation of the aga gene in S. mutans resulted in loss of all alpha-galactosidase activity and abolished the ability to ferment melibiose; alpha-glucosidase activity was also lost, due to an indirect effect on the dexB gene.     

Characterization of alpha-galactosidases from germinating soybean seed and their use for hydrolysis of oligosaccharides

Raffinose oligosaccharides (RO) are the major factors responsible for flatulence following ingestion of soybean derived products. Removal of RO from seeds or soymilk would then have a positive impact on the acceptance of soy-based foods. Enzymic hydrolysis of the RO is accomplished by alpha-galactosidase. While the content of RO decreases during seed germination, the activity of alpha-galactosidase increases substantially. Two alpha-galactosidases were isolated from germinating seeds by partition in an aqueous two-phase system followed by ion-exchange and affinity chromatography. One of the enzyme preparations (P1) showed a single protein with M(r) of 33 kDa, and the second (P2) had two proteins with M(r) of 31 and 33 kDa. Maximal activities against the synthetic substrate rho-nitrophenyl-alpha-D-galactopyranoside (rhoNPGal) were detected at pH 5.0-5.5 and 45-50 degrees C. Both enzymes were fairly stable at 40 degrees C, but lost most of their activities after 30 min at 50 degrees C. The K(m) values for hydrolysis of rhoNPGal by the P1 and P2 enzymes were 1.55 and 0.76 mM, respectively. The K(m) values determined for hydrolysis of raffinose and melibiose by the P2 enzyme were 5.53 and 5.34 mM, respectively and galactose was a competitive inhibitor (K(i)=0.65 mM). To different extents, both enzymes were sensitive to inhibition by galactose, melibiose, CuSO(4), and SDS. Sucrose and beta-mercaptoethanol showed discrete inhibitory effects on both enzymes.     

Identification of midgut microvillar proteins from Tenebrio molitor and Spodoptera frugiperda by cDNA library screenings with antibodies

The objective of this study was to identify midgut microvillar proteins in insects appearing earlier (Coleoptera) and later (Lepidoptera) in evolution. For this, cytoskeleton-free midgut microvillar membrane from Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera) and Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera) were used to raise antibodies. These were used for screening midgut cDNA expression libraries. Positive clones were sequenced, assembled and searched for similarities with gene/protein databases. The predicted midgut microvillar proteins from T. molitor were: cockroach allergens (unknown function), peritrophins (peritrophic membrane proteins), digestive enzymes (aminopeptidase, alpha-mannosidase) and unknown proteins. Predicted S. frugiperda midgut proteins may be grouped into six classes: (a) proteins involved in protection of midgut (thioredoxin peroxidase, aldehyde dehydrogenase, serpin and juvenile hormone epoxide hydrolase); (b) digestive enzymes (astacin, transporter-like amylase, aminopeptidase, and carboxypeptidase); (c) peritrophins; (d) proteins associated with microapocrine secretion (gelsolin, annexin); (e) membrane-tightly bound-cytoskeleton proteins (fimbrin, calmodulin) and (f) unidentified proteins. The novel approach is compared with others and microvillar function is discussed in the light of the predicted proteins.     

A novel alkaline alpha-galactosidase from melon fruit with a substrate preference for raffinose

The cucurbits translocate the galactosyl-sucrose oligosaccharides raffinose and stachyose, therefore, alpha-galactosidase (alpha-D-galactoside galactohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.22) is expected to function as the initial enzyme of photoassimilate catabolism. However, the previously described alkaline alpha-galactosidase is specific for the tetrasaccharide stachyose, leaving raffinose catabolism in these tissues as an enigma. In this paper we report the partial purification and characterization of three alpha-galactosidases, including a novel alkaline alpha-galactosidase (form I) from melon (Cucumis melo) fruit tissue. The form I enzyme showed preferred activity with raffinose and significant activity with stachyose. Other unique characteristics of this enzyme, such as weak product inhibition by galactose (in contrast to the other alpha-galactosidases, which show stronger product inhibition), also impart physiological significance. Using raffinose and stachyose as substrates in the assays, the activities of the three alpha-galactosidases (alkaline form I, alkaline form II, and the acid form) were measured at different stages of fruit development. The form I enzyme activity increased during the early stages of ovary development and fruit set, in contrast to the other alpha-galactosidase enzymes, both of which declined in activity during this period. In the mature, sucrose-accumulating mesocarp, the alkaline form I enzyme was the major alpha-galactosidase present. We also observed hydrolysis of raffinose at alkaline conditions in enzyme extracts from other cucurbit sink tissues, as well as from young Coleus blumei leaves. Our results suggest different physiological roles for the alpha-galactosidase forms in the developing cucurbit fruit, and show that the newly discovered enzyme plays a physiologically significant role in photoassimilate partitioning in cucurbit sink tissue.     

Purification and characterization of two alpha-galactosidases associated with catabolism of guar gum and other alpha-galactosides by Bacteroides ovatus.

When Bacteroides ovatus is grown on guar gum, a galactomannan, it produces alpha-galactosidase I which is different from alpha-galactosidase II which it produces when grown on galactose, melibiose, raffinose, or stachyose. We have purified both of these enzymes to apparent homogeneity. Both enzymes appear to be trimers and have similar pH optima (5.9 to 6.4 for alpha-galactosidase I, 6.3 to 6.5 for alpha-galactosidase II). However, alpha-galactosidase I has a pI of 5.6 and a monomeric molecular weight of 85,000, whereas alpha-galactosidase II has a pI of 6.9 and a monomeric molecular weight of 80,500. alpha-Galactosidase I has a lower affinity for melibiose, raffinose, and stachyose (Km values of 20.8, 98.1, and 8.5 mM, respectively) than does alpha-galactosidase II (Km values of 2.3, 5.9, and 0.3 mM, respectively). Neither enzyme was able to remove galactose residues from intact guar gum, but both were capable of removing galactose residues from guar gum which had been degraded into large fragments by mannanase. The increase in specific activity of alpha-galactosidase which was associated with growth on guar gum was due to an increase in the specific activity of enzyme I. Low, constitutive levels of enzyme II also were produced. By contrast, enzyme II was the only alpha-galactosidase that was detectable in bacteria which had been grown on galactose, melibiose, raffinose, or stachyose.     

Insect growth regulatory effects of some extracts and sterols from Myrtillocactus geometrizans (Cactaceae) against Spodoptera frugiperda and Tenebrio molitor

A methanol extract from the roots and aerial parts of Myrtillocactus geometrizans (Cactaceae) yielded peniocerol 1, macdougallin 2, and chichipegenin 3. The natural products 1, 2 their mixtures, MeOH and CH(2)Cl(2) extracts showed insecticidal and insect growth regulatory activity against fall armyworm [Spodoptera frugiperda J. E. Smith (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)], an important insect pest of corn, and [Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera)], a pest of stored grains in Mexico. The most active compounds were 1, 2, and a mixture (M(2)) of 1 and 2 (6:4). All these extracts, compounds and the mixture had insect growth regulating (IGR) activity between 5.0 and 50.0 ppm and insecticidal effects between 50 and 300 ppm in diets. The extracts were insecticidal to larvae, with lethal doses between 100 and 200 ppm. These compounds appear to have selective effects on the pre-emergence metabolism of Coleoptera, because in all treatments of the larvae of T. molitor, pupation were shortened and this process show precociousness in relation to controls. In contrast to S. frugiperda larvae, onset of pupation was noticeably delayed. Emergence in both cases was drastically diminished. In both pupae and in the few adults that were able to emerge, many deformations were observed. The results of these assays indicated that the compounds were more active than other known natural insect growth inhibitors such as gedunin and methanol extracts of Cedrela salvadorensis and Yucca periculosa. Peniocerol, macdougallin and chichipegenin, as well as mixtures of these substances, may be useful as natural insecticidal agents.     

Survey of Some Actinomycetales for α-Galactosidase Activity

The enzyme alpha-galactosidase offers potential to (i) eliminate possibly the flatus-inducing factor(s) in edible beans, (ii) eliminate raffinose during beet-sugar processing, and (iii) determine raffinose analytically. Accordingly, 20 genera of the order Actinomycetales Buchanan 1917 were tested for evidence of alpha-galactosidase activity. Test filtrates were prepared with a medium containing D-galactose and soybean meal. Enzyme activity was demonstrated through cellulose thin-layer chromatography. Of 123 strains tested, 28 produced extracellular alpha-galactosidase. Almost all were streptomycetes. Members of the genera Actinoplanes Couch 1950, Micromonospora varphiOrskov 1923, and Promicromonospora Krasil'nikov et al. 1961 also exhibited alpha-galactosidase activity. Additional tests led to the selection of five strains whose filtrates degraded melibiose, raffinose, and stachyose but not lactose and sucrose. Tests also were made with several soybean preparations.     

黄玛草蛉幼虫对草地贪夜蛾卵和低龄幼虫的捕食能力

【目的】明确本地优势天敌黄玛草蛉Mallada basalis对入侵我国的重大农业害虫草地贪夜蛾Spodoptera frugiperda卵及低龄幼虫的捕食能力和生防潜力。【方法】在实验室条件下采用功能反应模型评价了黄玛草蛉2和3龄幼虫对草地贪夜蛾卵及1和2龄幼虫的捕食能力。【结果】黄玛草蛉幼虫对草地贪夜蛾卵和低龄幼虫的捕食量均随猎物密度的升高而增加,最后趋于捕食饱和状态,而其捕食率随猎物密度的升高而逐步下降,对不同发育阶段的草地贪夜蛾均表现为Ⅱ型功能反应。黄玛草蛉2龄幼虫对草地贪夜蛾卵及1和2龄幼虫的瞬时攻击率a分别为0.150, 0.084和0.094,处理时间Th分别为0.282, 0.333和0.519 h,理论日最大捕食量T/Th分别为85106粒、72072头和46.242头;黄玛草蛉3龄幼虫对草地贪夜蛾卵及1和2龄幼虫的瞬时攻击率分别为2.018, 0.288和0.259,处理时间分别为0.102, 0.311和0.375 h,理论日最大捕食量分别为235294粒、77170头和64000头。【结论】黄玛草蛉2和3龄幼虫对草地贪夜蛾卵和低龄幼虫均具较强的捕食能力,其中黄玛草蛉3龄幼虫比2龄幼虫具有更强的捕食效率。     

喜树碱对草地贪夜蛾幼虫中肠细菌群落组成及多样性的影响

草地贪夜蛾Spodoptera frugiperda(J.E.Smith)是一种重要的入侵害虫,对多种作物生产造成严重的威胁.喜树碱是一种单萜类吲哚生物碱,对草地贪夜蛾幼虫生长发育具有显著抑制效果.本研究采用饲料混药法将喜树碱以1 mg/kg浓度处理草地贪夜蛾4龄幼虫3 d,解剖幼虫收集中肠内容物后采用16S rDNA...     

Susceptibility of Spodoptera frugiperda and S. exigua to Bacillus thuringiensis Vip3Aa insecticidal protein

The Vip3Aa protein is an insecticidal protein secreted by Bacillus thuringiensis during the vegetative stage of growth. The activity of this protein has been tested after different steps/protocols of purification using Spodoptera frugiperda as a control insect. The results showed that the Vip3Aa protoxin was stable and retained full toxicity after being subjected to common biochemical steps used in protein purification. Bioassays with the protoxin in S. frugiperda and S. exigua showed pronounced differences in LC(50) values when mortality was measured at 7 vs. 10d. At 7d most live larvae were arrested in their development. LC(50) values of "functional mortality" (dead larvae plus larvae remaining in the first instar), measured at 7d, were similar or even lower than the LC(50) values of mortality at 10d. This strong growth inhibition was not observed when testing the trypsin-activated protein (62 kDa) in either species. S. exigua was less susceptible than S. frugiperda to the protoxin form, with LC(50) values around 10-fold higher. However, both species were equally susceptible to the trypsin-activated form. Processing of Vip3Aa protoxin to the activated form was faster with S. frugiperda midgut juice than with S. exigua midgut juice. The results strongly suggest that the differences in the rate of activation of the Vip3Aa protoxin between both species are the basis for the differences in susceptibility towards the protoxin form.     

Nature of the anchors of membrane-bound aminopeptidase,amylase, and trypsin and secretory mechanisms in Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera) midgut cells

Spodoptera frugiperda larvae have a microvillar aminopeptidase and both soluble and membrane-bound forms of amylase and trypsin. Membrane-bound aminopeptidase is solubilized by glycosyl phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (GPI-PLC) and detergents, suggesting it has a GPI anchor. Membrane-bound trypsin is not affected by GPI-PLC, although it is solubilized by papain and by different detergents. Membrane-bound amylase is similar to trypsin, although once solubilized in detergent it behaves as a hydrophilic protein. Musca domestica trypsin antiserum cross-reacts with only one polypeptide from S. frugiperda midgut. With this antiserum, trypsin was immunolocalized in the anterior midgut cells at the microvillar surface and on the membranes of secretory vesicles found in the apical cytoplasm and inside the microvilli. The data suggest that in this region trypsin is bound to the secretory vesicle membrane by a hydrophobic anchor. Vesicles migrate through the microvilli and are discharged into the lumen by a pinching-off process. Trypsin is then partly processed to a soluble form and partly, still bound to vesicle membranes, incorporated into the peritrophic membrane. In posterior midgut cells, trypsin immunolabelling is randomly distributed inside the secretory vesicles and at the microvilli surface, suggesting exocytosis. Amylase probably follows a route similar to that described for trypsin in anterior midgut, although membrane-bound forms (peptide anchor) solubilize apparently as a consequence of a pH increase inside the vesicles.     

Melibiose transport system in Lactobacillus plantarum.

Lactobacillus plantarum ATCC 8014 grew on melibiose at 30 C, but not at 37 C, although it grew on galactose or lactose at either temperature. ATCC 8014 grown on lactose at 30 or 37 C accumulated melibiose slowly, suggesting that melibiose may partly be transported by a lactose transport system. A lactose-negative mutant, NTG 21, derived from ATCC 8014 was isolated. The mutant was totally deficient in lactose transport, but retained normal melibiose transport activity. In NTG 21, the melibiose transport activity was induced by melibiose at 30 C, but not at 37 C. The transport activity itself was found to be stable for at least 3 hr at 37 C, suggesting that the induction process in the cytoplasm rather than the inducer entrance is temperature-sensitive in the organism. The organism also failed to form alpha-galactosidase at 37 C when grown on melibiose. The enzyme synthesis, however, was induced by galactose in NTG 21 (and also by lactose in ATCC 8014) even at 37 C, indicating that the induction of the enzyme is essentially not temperature-sensitive. In NTG 21, melibiose transport system and alpha-galactosidase were induced by galactose, melibiose and o-nitrophenyl-alpha-D-galactopyranoside when the strain was grown at 30 C. Raffinose induced melibiose transport system only a little, while it was a good inducer for alpha-galactosidase. Inhibition studies revealed that galactose may be a weak substrate of the melibiose transport system; no inhibition was demonstrated with lactose and raffinose.     

Isolation and characterization of extracellular α-galactosidases from Penicillium canescens

Two alpha-galactosidases were purified to homogeneity from the enzymatic complex of the mycelial fungus Penicillium canescens using chromatography on different sorbents. Substrate specificity, pH- and temperature optima of activity, stability under different pH and temperature conditions, and the influence of effectors on the catalytic properties of both enzymes were investigated. Genes aglA and aglC encoding alpha-galactosidases from P. canescens were isolated, and amino acid sequences of the proteins were predicted. In vitro feed testing (with soybean meal and soybean byproducts enriched with galactooligosaccharides as substrates) demonstrated that both alpha-galactosidases from P. canescens could be successfully used as feed additives. alpha-Galactosidase A belonging to the 27th glycosyl hydrolase family hydrolyzed galactopolysaccharides (galactomannans) and alpha-galactosidase C belonging to the 36th glycosyl hydrolase family hydrolyzed galactooligosaccharides (stachyose, raffinose, etc.) of soybean with good efficiency, thus improving the digestibility of fodder.