What is "agarase"

n. (context enzyme English) An enzyme found in agarolytic bacteria, allowing them to use agar as their primary source of carbon.

Agarase (, AgaA, AgaB, endo-beta-agarase, agarose 3-glycanohydrolase) is an enzyme with systematic name agarose 4-glycanohydrolase. It is found in agarolytic bacteria and is the first enzyme in the agar catabolic pathway. It is responsible for allowing them to use agar as their primary source of Carbon and enables their ability to thrive in the ocean.

Agarases are classified as either α-agarases or β-agarases based upon whether they degrade α or β linkages in agarose, breaking them into oligosaccharides. When secreted, α-agarases yield oligosaccharides with 3.6 anhydro-L-galactose at the reducing end whereas β-agarases result in D-galactose residues.