Biochemical Characterization of a Protease Involved in the Processing of a Streptomyces reticuli Cellulase (Avicelase)

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A 36-kDa protease from Streptomyces reticuli had recently been shown to be responsible for the in vivo and in vitro processing of the 82-kDa cellulase (Avicelase) Cel-1 from S. reticuli to a 42-kDa truncated enzyme. It was induced only in the presence of Avicel, hydroxyethylcellulose, and xylan. The addition of the nonionic detergent Tween 80 to the culture medium containing Avicel as the carbon source led to a 10-fold increase in extracellular proteolytic activity. The protease, which has an isoelectric point of 3.9, was purified to homogeneity from the culture filtrate by a combination of anion-exchange and hydrophobic-interaction chromatographies and was characterized biochemically. The enzyme hydrolyzed gelatin and the chromogenic substrates Azocoll, Azocasein, and Azoalbumin. Its highest activity was determined between pH 7.0 and 7.7 and at 55°C. The proteolytic activity was inhibited by 1,10-phenanthroline and EDTA; however, no metal ions were detected to be associated with the protein. The protease was stable in the presence of 1 M urea and 0.01 M sodium dodecyl sulfate. The inhibitory effect of alpha-2-macroglobulin indicated an endo-mode of proteolytic cleavage. Studies with lectins and sugar analysis by mass spectroscopy indicated that the cellulase (Avicelase) Cel-1 was neither N nor O glycosylated. Its processing by the protease occurred at temperatures ranging from 30 to 55°C, pH 7.5, in the presence of 2 mM dithiothreitol.

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