InterPro: IPR008263 Glycoside hydrolase, family 16, active site

O-Glycosyl hydrolases EC:3.2.1. are a widespread group of enzymes that hydrolyse the glycosidic bond between two or more carbohydrates, or between a carbohydrate and a non-carbohydrate moiety. A classification system for glycosyl hydrolases, based on sequence similarity, has led to the definition of 85 different families [1, 2, 3]. This classification is available on the CAZy (CArbohydrate-Active EnZymes) web site [4]. Because the fold of proteins is better conserved than their sequences, some of the families can be grouped in clans.

Glycoside hydrolase family 16 GH16 comprises enzymes with a number of known activities; lichenase (EC:3.2.1.73); xyloglucan xyloglucosyltransferase (EC:2.4.1.207); agarase (EC:3.2.1.81); kappa-carrageenase (EC:3.2.1.83); endo-beta-1,3-glucanase (EC:3.2.1.39); endo-beta-1,3-1,4-glucanase (EC:3.2.1.6); endo-beta-galactosidase (EC:3.2.1.103). Two closely clustered and conserved glutamates, which are part of this signature, have been shown to be involved in the catalytic activity of Bacillus licheniformis.