Synergism of cellulases from Trichoderma reesei in the degradation of cellulose

The action of cellobiohydrolases I and II (CBHI and CBHII) and endoglucanases I and II (EGI and EGII) purified from Trichoderma reesei was evaluated against various substrates. CBHI degraded the ..beta..-D-glucan from barley in a typical endo pattern. With cellulose substrates, the synergism between CBHI and endoglucanase I or II depended on the structural and ultrastructural features of the substrate. This effect, unrelated to endo-exo cooperation, was found with substrates of intermediate crystallinity whereas weak or no synergism was recorded with cellulose microcrystals or the soluble carboxy-methyl cellulose derivative. Synergistic degradation of cellulose was also recorded with mixtures of CBHI and CBHII. On the other hand, synergism between endoglucanases and CBHII followed the pattern expected for an endo-exo cooperation. These results presented support evidence for multiple types of cooperation between the cellulolytic enzymes. 30 references, 7 figures, 1 table.