Glycosidases, enzymatic hydrolysis

To detect the fate of liposomes, the nonfluorescent 4-methylumbelliferyl-p-D-glycoside [4MU-(3-D-glc)] can be encapsulated. 4MU-(3-o-glc) is a substrate for lysosomal 3-d-glycosidase that shows fluorescence after enzymatic hydrolysis to methylumbelliferone (125). 

This important concept was rapidly absorbed by the research community, providing fine-tuning of both glycosidase categorization and inhibitor design. In particular, subtle differences of xylosidase and xylanase specificities were probed, and they provided useful insights into the complex and finely tuned enzymatic hydrolysis of glycosides. 

Enzymatic hydrolysis of byproducts to control regioselectivity. In situations where the regioselectivity is low and several regioisomers are formed, the isolation of the desired product can be facilitated by the use of a second glycosidase with a different... 

Further findings relevant for the establishment of the chemical nature of enzymatic catalysis and technical apphcation followed within rather short time. Croft-Hill performed the first enzymatic synthesis, that of isomaltose, in 1898, allowing a yeast extract (df-glycosidase) to act on 40% glucose solution (Sumner and Somers, 1953). In 1900 Kastle and Loevenhart found that the hydrolysis of fat and other esters by lipases is a reversible reaction and that enzymatic synthesis can occur in a dilute mixture of alcohol and acid (Sumner and Myiback 1950). This principle was utilized for the synthesis of... 

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