Beta-agarase, member of glycosyl hydrolase family 16. Beta-agarase is a glycosyl hydrolase family 16 (GH16) member that hydrolyzes the internal beta-1,4-linkage of agarose, a hydrophilic polysaccharide found in the cell wall of Rhodophyceaea, marine red algae. Agarose is a linear chain of galactose units linked by alternating L-alpha-1,3- and D-beta-1,4-linkages that are additionally modified by a 3,6-anhydro-bridge. Agarose forms thermo-reversible gels that are widely used in the food industry or as a laboratory medium. While beta-agarases are also found in two other families derived from the sequence-based classification of glycosyl hydrolases (GH50, and GH86) the GH16 members are most abundant. This domain adopts a curved beta-sandwich conformation, with a tunnel-shaped active site cavity, referred to as a jellyroll fold.

Laminarinase, member of the glycosyl hydrolase family 16. Laminarinase, also known as glucan endo-1,3-beta-D-glucosidase, is a glycosyl hydrolase family 16 member that hydrolyzes 1,3-beta-D-glucosidic linkages in 1,3-beta-D-glucans such as laminarins, curdlans, paramylons, and pachymans, with very limited action on mixed-link (1,3-1,4-)-beta-D-glucans.

glycosyl hydrolase family 16. The O-Glycosyl hydrolases 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 glycosyl hydrolase classification system based on sequence similarity has led to the definition of more than 95 different families inlcuding glycosyl hydrolase family 16. Family 16 includes lichenase, xyloglucan endotransglycosylase (XET), beta-agarase, kappa-carrageenase, endo-beta-1,3-glucanase, endo-beta-1,3-1,4-glucanase, and endo-beta-galactosidase, all of which have a conserved jelly roll fold with a deep active site channel harboring the catalytic residues.