Hyaluronidases transglycosylation

Lysosomal hyaluronidase possesses transglycosylation properties using octo-saccharides as a substrate, rather than hexasaccharides like testicular hyaluronidase [14, lti]. 

On the other hand, using hyaluronidase (HAase) to synthesize HA has also been reported (111, 112). HA oligomers of up to 22 sugar units were synthesized by enzymatic reconstruction of HA chains using the transglycosylation reaction of Bovine Testicular HAase (111). 

Table 1 presents a survey of hyaluronidase activity in the venom of several animal species. Transglycosylation properties have been observed with hyaluronidase from snake venom (Crotalus terrificus) [8], but not with hyaluronidase from bee venom [19]. 

B. Weissmann. The transglycosylative action of testicular hyaluronidase. J. Biol. Chem. 276 783 (1955). 

Mixed digests of hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulfate (A or C) with testicular hyaluronidase yield, in addition to the degradation products from the parent polysaccharides, products of transglycosylation, consisting of hybrid oligosaccharides and containing repeating units from both polysaccharides (53b),... 

The properties of a purified, homogeneous, bovine testicular hyaluronidase (pH optimum 5.0—5.5) have been studied using radiolabelled oligomers of A -acetylhyalobiouronic acid as substrates and acceptors. Transfer of a glycosyl residue to an acceptor occurred with retention of configuration. On the basis of the cleavage and transglycosylation reactions, it was proposed that the active site of the enzyme consists of five subsites that bind disaccharide units. 

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