Application

Heparinase III from Flavobacterium heparinum has been used to cleave specific GAGs. It has been used to study its effect on the electrophoretic mobility of the protein reacting with the anti-aFGF (acidic fibroblast growth factor) antibody.

Biochem/physiol Actions

Heparin-degrading lyase that recognizes heparin sulfate proteoglycan as its primary substrate.

Heparinase III prevents the formation of new blood vessels in vivo. It specifically degrades heparin sulphate at the H_NY-I and H_NY,6X-G² links. Unlike other heparinise, heparinase III does not contain the amino acid cysteine. It contains 13 histidine residues, which is responsible for its catalytic action. This enzyme is not active towards heparin or low molecular weight heparins.

Other Notes

View more information on enzymes for complex carbohydrate analysis at www.sigma-aldrich.com/enzymeexplorer

Unit Definition

One unit will form 0.1 µmole of unsaturated uronic acid per hr at pH 7.5 at 25 °C. One International Unit (I.U.) is equivalent to approx. 600 Sigma units. Package sizes are sold in Sigma units.