Some studies on the protease from a novel source: The plantCucurbita ficifolia

Summary An alkaline protease from the plantCucurbita ficifolia was studied using corn gluten as a substrate. At 25 units/ml, the enzyme solubilized 61% of the initial insoluble protein in 18.5 hours at pH 7.0, 55°C and 100 g/l of substrate.     

碱性蛋白酶SubC在枯草芽孢杆菌中的高效异源表达

【背景】碱性蛋白酶是工业用酶中占比最大的酶类,广泛应用于清洁、食品、医疗等行业。近期研究发现碱性蛋白酶在生产生物活性肽方面有巨大潜力,这将进一步拓宽其在保健食品领域中的应用。【目的】利用枯草芽孢杆菌异源表达地衣芽孢杆菌来源的碱性蛋白酶SubC。【方法】通过筛选3种枯草芽孢杆菌宿主菌株(Bacillus subtilis 1A751、MA07、MA08)和6种信号肽(AmyE、AprE、NprE、Pel、YddT、YoqM),同时优化诱导剂浓度、发酵培养基和发酵时长,最终得到最优重组菌株MA08-AmyE-subCopt。【结果】重组菌株MA08-AmyE-subCopt的胞外酶活力为3.33×103 AU/mL,胞外蛋白分泌量为胞内可溶蛋白表达量的4倍,与携带野生型信号肽的对照组菌株WT相比,酶活提高了73.4%。【结论】异源碱性蛋白酶SubC在枯草芽孢杆菌中成功表达,为碱性蛋白酶SubC的表达和在保健食品领域的工业化应用提供了理论基础。     

Eglin C与2709碱性蛋白酶相互作用分析及亲和纯化方法

Eglin C是来自水蛭中的一种小型热稳定蛋白质,属于马铃薯胰凝乳蛋白酶抑制剂家族,可以抑制弹性蛋白酶、枯草杆菌蛋白酶、组织蛋白酶、α-lytic蛋白酶以及胰凝乳蛋白酶等。然而,利用eglin C纯化蛋白酶,尚未见研究报道。本文将化学合成的编码 eglin C及其突变体的基因序列,克隆到原核表达载体pQE30,在大肠杆菌BL21获得His6-Tag-eglin C及其突变体的重组蛋白质。SDS-PAGE显示,eglin C蛋白的分子量大约8 kD。His6-Tag-eglin C对胰凝乳蛋白酶、地衣芽孢杆菌2709碱性蛋白酶、枯草芽孢杆菌PB92碱性蛋白酶、枯草杆菌中性蛋白酶的半抑制剂浓度（IC50）分别为0.20±0.15、0.24±0.19、3.33±0.47和52.46±0.38 μmol/L。利用分子对接、基因突变以及荧光光谱等,分析eglin C及其突变体与2709蛋白酶的相互作用。结果显示,2709碱性蛋白酶对eglin C荧光淬灭属于静态淬灭,解离常数为2.60×10-7 mol/L,eglin C中的Asn50 残基对eglin C和2709碱性蛋白酶的结合发挥重要作用。利用eglin C与蛋白酶的特异结合的特性,构建亲和纯化载体,用于纯化来源于地衣芽孢杆菌的2709碱性蛋白酶,相比常规的蛋白酶纯化,显著简化了操作步骤。     

Nutritional factors affecting organic solvent-tolerant alkaline protease production by a newBacillus cereus strain 146

An organic solvent-tolerant bacterium designated as 146 capable of producing an organic solvent-stable alkaline protease was isolated from contaminated soil of a wood factory. The strain was a Gram-positive, spore-forming, nitrate-positive, rod-shaped organism capable of hydrolysing gelatine, starch, skim milk and identified asBacillus cereus. Activity of the protease was drastically increased in the presence of 1–decanol, isooctane, n-dodecane and n-tetradecane, but reduced in the presence of ethyl acetate, benzene, toluene, 1-heptanol, ethylbenzene and hexane. The bacterium was shown to require lactose as a carbon source and peptone as a nitrogen source. The optimum fermentation condition for the production of alkaline protease was in the presence of beef and yeast extract. Optimum pH was determined to be at 10.0 at incubation temperature of 37 °C for 48 h. Results from the studies suggest that 146 is a new strain of Bacillus cereus capable of producing organic solvent-tolerant alkaline protease with potential use in industries.     

Production of neutral and alkaline proteases in batch and chemostat cultures by bacillus mesentericus 76

The kinetics of the bacterial extracellular protease synthesis (neutral and alkaline protease of Bacillus mesentericusstrain 76, R-form) in batch and chemostat cultures under conditions of glucose limitation were investigated. When the medium was supplemented with casein the production of the proteases was significantly higher. Optimal dilution rates for obtaining of two proteases are fixed. The synthesis of both alkaline and neutral proteases is controlled by catabolite repression and induction.     

枯草芽孢杆菌碱性蛋白酶基因的克隆和表达

目的:获得碱性蛋白酶基因。方法:用PCR的方法从枯草芽孢杆菌A-109中扩增碱性蛋白酶基因(apr),并进行测序分析,构建表达载体,最后转化大肠杆菌BL21,SDS-聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳检测该基因的表达情况。结果:apr基因片段含1092个碱基对。该基因片段核苷酸序列与Bacillus amyloliquefaciens subtilisin DFE precursor有99%的同源性,对应的氨基酸序列与Bacillussp.DJ-4有99%的同源性。apr基因在大肠杆菌BL21中获得表达,并表现出蛋白酶活性。结论:获得了具有活性的新的碱性蛋白酶基因。     

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detection of thermostable protease from Pseudomonas sp. AFT-36 of dairy origin

Summary A double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent 'assay was developed using IgG of anti-Pseudomonas sp. AFT-36 protease as coating antibody. The assay could detect 0.19 ng/ml of protease in milk and buffer. It could be completed within 5 h. Cross-reactivity studies showed that AFT-36 is immunologically related to six Pseudomonas species, while some Pseudomonas spp.produce immunologically unrelated proteases. The results suggest that the assay could be used to detect protease in dairy products.     

Mathematical model based estimation of volumetric oxygen transfer coefficient(s) in the production of proteolytic enzymes in Bacillus amyloliquefaciens

Alkaline protease is a class of important hydrolytic enzymes having wide applications in bioprocess industries. Their optimum pH in the alkaline range and stability at higher temperatures make them ideal in detergent and leather processing industries. These enzymes have excellent depilating capacity. The present study aims at process optimization for the production of alkaline protease from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens ATCC 23844. Information on the optimal operating temperature and pH were elicited from specific growth rates and alkaline protease yields. It was also observed that besides pH and temperature, the oxygen transfer rate is another important limiting variable for the production of protease. Volumetric oxygen transfer coefficient (k _L a) was estimated at various impeller speeds and aeration rates. The optimal impeller speed and aeration rates were determined from k _L a and the relative protease yield data. It was understood that the oxygen transfer rate is one of the crucial parameters for the production of proteolytic enzymes by B. amyloliquefaciens.     

短小芽孢杆菌碱性蛋白酶基因启动子的克隆、鉴定及其应用

利用TAIL-PCR(Thermal asymmetric interlaced PCR)从短小芽孢杆菌基因组中扩增到碱性蛋白酶基因编码区上游的启动子片段。对该片段的序列测定和分析表明, 此片段长797 bp, 但与基因表达有关的序列长约390 bp。对启动子片段进行不同长度的缺失突变, 以获得最小的基因启动子片段, 结果表明, 该基因起始密码子上游约160 bp的DNA片段就可以启动基因的表达。将含有该片段的碱性蛋白酶基因WApQ3插入大肠杆菌-芽孢杆菌穿梭质粒载体pSUGV4中, 构建了碱性蛋白酶基因表达质粒pSUBpWApQ3。将该质粒分别转入枯草芽孢杆菌和短小芽孢杆菌中表达, 可在胞外检测到碱性蛋白酶活性, 最高酶活分别为466.5 U/mL和3060 U/mL。     

A novel serine alkaline protease from Bacillus altitudinis GVC11 and its application as a dehairing agent

A serine alkaline protease from a newly isolated alkaliphilic Bacillus altitudinis GVC11 was purified and characterized. The enzyme was purified to homogeneity by acetone precipitation, DEAE-cellulose anion exchange chromatography with 7.03-fold increase in specific activity and 15.25% recovery. The molecular weight of alkaline protease was estimated to be 28 kDa by SDS PAGE and activity was further assessed by zymogram analysis. The enzyme was highly active over a wide range of pH 8.5 to 12.5 with an optimum pH of 9.5. The optimum temperature of purified enzyme was 45 °C and Ca²⁺ further increased the thermal stability of the enzyme. The enzyme activity was enhanced by Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ and inhibited by Hg²⁺. The present study is the first report to examine and describe production of highly alkaline protease from Bacillus altitudinis and also its remarkable dehairing ability of goat hide in 18 h without disturbing the collagen and hair integrity.     

短小芽孢杆菌2080碱性蛋白酶的纯化与性质

短小芽孢杆菌（Bacillus pumilus）2080碱性蛋白酶的发酵液经超滤、硫酸铵沉淀、CM Sepharose Fast Flow和DEAE Sepharose Fast Flow离子交换层析得到了纯化的组分。SDS-PAGE电泳分析显示其分子量约为61kDa。酶学性质研究表明,该纯化酶的最适pH为10．5,最适温度为50℃。     

Stabilization of proteolytic enzymes in solution

The stability of the neutral and alkaline proteases in a Bacillus subtilis enzyme mixture was studied in aqueous solutions at room temperature. Stabilization of the proteases in solution for periods up to 25 days was achieved by the addition of various protein preparations including casein and soya protein. The degree of stabilization by casein was concentration dependent to about 2% protein. The instability of the neutral protease in solutions of the B. subtilis enzyme mixture was shown to be due primarily to proteolysis by the alkaline protease since the diisopropylfluorophosphate-treated enzyme was quite stable. Formulation of such enzyme solutions at low pH gave greater stability as did solutions containing an alkaline protease inhibitor from potatoes. A Conceptual approach to the formulation of enzyme solutions containing proteolytic enzyme to ensure maximum stability is proposed.     

Fuzzy Logic Control of Bioreactor for Enhanced Biosynthesis of Alkaline Protease by an Alkalophilic Strain of Bacillus subtilis

Present studies describe the optimization of some cultural parameters such as medium pH, incubation temperature, and agitation rate for the biosynthesis of alkaline protease by Bacillus subtilis IH-72 in a bioreactor using fuzzy logic control. The process of fermentation was carried out in a 7.5-L bioreactor (New Brunswick Scientific, USA) with a working volume of 5 L. All of the parameters were automatically controlled with the help of attached software. The optimum pH, temperature, and agitation for the production of alkaline protease by B. subtilis IH-72 were found to be 9.0, 35°C, and 175 rpm, respectively. The performance of the fuzzy logic of the bioreactor was found to be encouraging for enhanced production of the enzymes. The maximum production of alkaline protease during the present study was found to be 9.6 U mL⁻¹.     

Molecular cloning, nucleotide sequence, and expression of the structural gene for alkaline serine protease from alkaliphilic Bacillus sp. 221.

The gene encoding an alkaline serine protease from alkaliphilic Bacillus sp. 221 was cloned in Escherichia coli and expressed in Bacillus subtilis. An open reading frame of 1,140 bases, identified as the protease gene was preceded by a putative Shine-Dalgarno sequence (AGGAGG) with a spacing of 7 bases. The deduced amino acid sequence had a pre-pro-peptide of 111 residues followed by the mature protease comprising 269 residues. The alkaline protease from alkaliphilic Bacillus sp. 221 had higher homology to the protease from alkaliphilic bacilli (82.1% and 99.6%) than to those from neutrophilic bacilli (60.6-61.7%). Also Bacillus sp. 221 protease and other protease from alkaliphilic bacilli shared common amino acid changes and 4 amino acid deletions that seemed to be related to characteristics of the enzyme of alkaliphilic bacilli when compared to the proteases from neutrophilic bacilli.     

Production of a thermophilic,extracellular alkaline protease by Bacillus stearothermophilus AP-4

A thermophilic Bacillus stearothermophilus strain AP-4 excreting a thermostable alkaline protease, was isolated from a local compost. Maximum activity of protease (250 U/ml) was after 36 h growth in broth at pH 9.0 and at 55°C. The protease was optimally active at pH 9.0 and 55°C and was stable in 5 mm CaCl₂. The enzyme was completely inactivated by PMSF, EDTA and -mercaptoethanol. It is therefore a metal ion-dependent, alkaline, serine protease.R. Dhandapani and R. Vijayaragavan are with the Centre for Plant Molecular Biology & Biotechnology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore 641 003, India     

Molecular Cloning,Nucleotide Sequence,and Expression of the Structural Gene for Alkaline Serine Protease from Alkaliphilic Bacillus sp. 221

The gene encoding an alkaline serine protease from alkaliphilic Bacillus sp. 221 was cloned in Escherichia coli and expressed in Bacillus suhtilis. An open reading frame of 1,140 bases, identified as the protease gene was preceded by a putative Shine-Dalgarno sequence (AGGAGG) with a spacing of 7 bases. The deduced amino acid sequence had a pre-pro-peptide of 111 residues followed by the mature protease comprising 269 residues. The alkaline protease from alkaliphilic Bacillus sp. 221 had higher homology to the protease from alkaliphilic bacilli (82.1% and 99.6%) than to those from neutrophilic bacilli (60.6—61.70/0). Also Bacillus sp. 221 protease and other protease from alkaliphilic bacilli shared common amino acid changes and 4 amino acid deletions that seemed to be related to characteristics of the enzyme of alkaliphilic bacilli when compared to the proteases from neutrophilic bacilli.     

Changes in patterns of alkaline serine protease and bacilysin formation caused by common effectors of sporulation inBacillus subtilis 168

Bacilysin biosynthesis and alkaline serine protease production inBacillus subtilis 168 were monitored and compared in batch cultures when various effectors of sporulation were added at different stages of growth in a medium containing sucrose and glutamate. Depending on the time of addition, glucose affected sporulation and serine protease formation to the same extent, but had no effect on bacilysin production. Ammonium andl-alanine additions suppressed all three processes. Casamino acids severely interfered with bacilysin formation and sporulation, but not with protease formation. Decoyinine, a well-known inducer of sporulation, induced protease formation as well, but did not affect bacilysin biosynthesis. The extent of the observed effects depended largely on the time of metabolite additions. The results are discussed with reference to a possible coregulation of sporulation and the formation of bacilysin and alkaline serine protease inB. subtilis.     

Gene Cloning and Expression of an Alkaline Serine Protease with Dehairing Function from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus pumilus</Emphasis>

A new gene (named AP gene) encoding an alkaline serine protease with dehairing function was cloned from Bacillus pumilus UN-31-C-42 and its nucleotide sequence was determined. The expression of AP gene was induced with IPTG in Escherichia coli after the mature protease region was cloned into pET15b and SDS-PAGE showed expressed product clearly, but no alkaline protease activity was detected. In order to express the AP gene in B. subtilis, a recombinant expression plasmid was constructed which contained a promoter Bp53 (also from B. pumilus), the AP gene and an E. coli–B. subtilis shuttle vector pSUGV4. This plasmid was introduced into B. subtilis WB600 and the transformant displayed the hydrolyzed zone on a milk plate. The expressed product can be easily detected with SDS-PAGE and the fermentation fluid of the transformant showed low alkaline protease activity and dehairing activity. This is the first report of a gene cloned from B. pumilus, encoding an alkaline serine protease, which can alone accomplish the whole dehairing process.     

Cloning and over-expression of an alkaline protease from Bacillus licheniformis

The alkaline protease gene, apr, from Bacillus licheniformis 2709 was cloned into a Bacillus shuttle expression vector, pHL, to yield the recombinant plasmid pHL-apr. The pHL-apr was expressed in Bacillus subtilis WB600, yielding a high expression strain BW-016. The amount of alkaline protease produced in the recombinant increased by 65% relative to the original strain. SDS-PAGE analysis indicated a Mr of 30.5 kDa. The amino acid sequence deduced from the DNA sequence analysis revealed a 98% identity to that of Bacillus licheniformis 6816.     

Enhanced production of alkaline thermostable keratinolytic protease from calcium alginate immobilized cells of thermoalkalophilic Bacillus halodurans JB 99 exhibiting dehairing activity

The thermoalkalophilic Bacillus halodurans JB 99 cells known for production of novel thermostable alkaline keratinolytic protease were immobilized in calcium alginate matrix. Batch and repeated batch cultivation using calcium alginate immobilized cells were studied for alkaline protease production in submerged fermentation. Immobilized cells with 2.5% alginate and 350 beads/flask of initial cell loading showed enhanced production of alkaline protease by 23.2% (5,275 ± 39.4 U/ml) as compared to free cells (4,280 ± 35.4 U/ml) after 24 h. In the semicontinuous mode of cultivation, immobilized cells under optimized conditions produced an appreciable level of alkaline protease in up to nine cycles and reached a maximal value of 5,975 U/ml after the seventh cycle. The enzyme produced from immobilized cells efficiently degraded chicken feathers in the presence of a reducing agent which can help the poultry industry in the management of keratin-rich waste and obtaining value-added products.