Beta-glucosidase

Beta-glucosidase is a glucosidase enzyme which acts upon β1->4 bonds linking two glucose or glucose-substituted molecules (ie, the disacharide 'cellobiose').

Cellulose is largely composed of polymers of beta-bond linked glucose molecules, and beta-glucosidases are required by organisms (some fungi, bacteria, termites) that can consume it.

Lysozyme, an enzyme secreted in tears to prevent bacterial infection of the eye, is also a beta-glucosidase that cleaves β1->4 bonds between N-acetylglucosamine and N-acetylmuramic acid sugars within the peptidoglycan cell walls of gram-negative bacteria.