Enzymatic deglycosylation of bovine rhodopsin

We have investigated the action of three endo N-acetylglucosaminidases on rhodopsin. The oligosaccharide chains of native and denatured opsin and rhodopsin, both solubilized and membrane-bound, were shown to be cleaved by endohexosaminidase H, endohexosaminidase F, and peptide- N-glycosidase F (PNGase F) as revealed by SDS-PAGE. These enzymes were shown to be free of protease activity. Under correct conditions, the endoglycosidases could release one or both carbohydrate chains. Rhodopsin and opsin at concentrations between 2 and 65 nmol ml −1 were cleaved, with more complete deglycosylation occurring at the higher concentrations.