Reaction: Hydrolysis of (1→4)-α-D-glucosidic linkages in amylaceous polysaccharides, to remove successive maltohexaose residues from the non-reducing chain ends
Other name(s): exo-maltohexaohydrolase; 1,4-α-D-glucan maltohexaohydrolase
Systematic name: 4-α-D-glucan maltohexaohydrolase
Comments: cf. EC 3.2.1.3 glucan 1,4-α-glucosidase, which removes successive glucose residues; EC 3.2.1.2 β-amylase, which removes successive maltose residues; EC 3.2.1.116 glucan 1,4-α-maltotriohydrolase, which removes successive maltotriose units and EC 3.2.1.60 glucan 1,4-α-maltotetraohydrolase, which removes successive maltotetraose residues. The products have the α-configuration.
Links to other databases: BRENDA, EXPASY, KEGG, Metacyc, PDB, CAS registry number: 72561-12-7
References:
1. Kainuma, K., Wako, K., Kobayashi, A., Nogami, A. and Suzuki, S. Purification and some properties of a novel maltohexaose-producing exo-amylase from Aerobacter aerogenes. Biochim. Biophys. Acta 410 (1975) 333-346. [PMID: 1094]
2. Nakakuki, T., Azuma, K. and Kainuma, K. Action patterns of various exo-amylases and the anomeric configurations of their products. Carbohydr. Res. 128 (1984) 297-310.