Fungal Cellulases XII. The Hexanols as Indicators of a Hydrophobic Interaction Between the B -Glucosidase of Staghybotrys Atra and the Acceptor Substrate

Abstract

The interaction between the ,B-glucosidase of Stachybotrys atra and all 17 hexanols has been measured. There is a positive correlation between the estimated values for T50 and either the vapour pressure or solubility in water of the hexanols at 25°C at least as good as the correlation of these quantities with each other. It is concluded that the dominating influence in the observed efficacy of the alkanols, at least, as acceptors for the enzyme is their distribution between the aqueous reaction medium and a hydrophobic region of the enzyme consisting of clustered non-polar side-chains. If this conclusion is accepted, then both the current and earlier data can be interpreted to show that besides this overall controlling factor there is a limited amount of more specific interaction.