Alpha-agarases define a new family of glycoside hydrolases, distinct from beta-agarase families.

The gene encoding the alpha-agarase from "Alteromonas agarilytica" (proposed name) has been cloned and sequenced. The gene product (154 kDa) is unrelated to beta-agarases and instead belongs to a new family of glycoside hydrolases (GH96). The alpha-agarase also displays a complex modularity, with the presence of five thrombospondin type 3 repeats and three carbohydrate-binding modules.