Partial purification of cell wall α-galactosidases and α-arabinosidases from Cicer arietinum epicotyls. Relationship with cell wall autolytic processes

Two protein fractions with activity as α-galactosidase (EC 3.2.1.22) and α-arabinosidase (EC 3.2.1.55), respectively, were identified in the proteins of cell wall of Cicer arietinum L. cv. Castellana extracted with 3 M LiCl. These fractions were partially purified by gel filtration chromatography (Bio Gel P-150), increasing the specific arabinosidase activity 57-fold and the α-galactosidase activity 6-fold. Other protein fractions with glucosidase (EC 3.2.1.21) and glucanase (EC 3.2.1.6) activity also appeared. According to earlier authors, α-arabinosidases and α-galactosidases are related to alterations in linkages occurring in cell walls, since the enzymes are able to hydrolyze isolated wall polymers. However, our preparations hydrolyze intact cell walls only to a very limited extent, such that their participation in the autolytic processes of cell walls can be ruled out.