Comparative studies of phenotypic and genetic characteristics between two desulfurizing isolates of Rhodococcus erythropolis and the well-characterized R. erythropolis strain IGTS8

Two Rhodococcus erythropolis isolates, named A66 and A69, together with the well-characterized R. erythropolis strain IGTS8 were compared biochemically and genetically. Both isolates, like strain IGTS8, desulfurized DBT to 2-hydroxybiphenyl (2-HBP), following the 4S pathway of desulfurization. Strain IGTS8 showed the highest (81.5%) desulfurization activity in a medium containing DBT at 30 °C. Strain A66 showed approximately the same desulfurization activity either when incubated at 30 °C or at 37 °C, while strain A69 showed an increase of desulfurization efficiency (up to 79%) when incubated at 37 °C. Strains A66 and A69 were also able to grow using various organosulfur or organonitrogen-compounds as the sole sulfur or nitrogen sources. The biological responses of A66, A69 and IGTS8 strains to a series of mutagens and environmental agents were evaluated, trying to mimic actual circumstances involved in exposure/handling of microorganisms during petroleum biorefining. The results showed that strains A69 and IGTS8 were much more resistant to UVC treatment than A66. The three desulfurization genes (dszA, dszB and dszC) present in strains A66 and A69 were partially characterized. They seem to be located on a plasmid, not only in the strain IGTS8, but also in A66 and A69. PCR amplification was observed using specific primers for dsz genes in all the strains tested; however, no amplification product was observed using primers for carbazole (car) or quinoline (qor) metabolisms. All this information contributes to broaden our knowledge concerning both the desulfurization of DBT and the degradation of organonitrogen compounds within the R. erythropolis species.     

重组人组织型纤溶酶原激活剂(rht-PA)及其突变体的纯化

稳定高效表达重组人组织型纤溶酶原激活剂 (rht PA)的CHO细胞株和表达组合突变体的细胞株进行了 3L转瓶培养 .将培养上清分别进行了Lys Sepharose 4B亲和层析和Zn2 + Sepharose 4B层析两步纯化 ,rht PA纯度提高了 5 34倍 ,比活达 2 5× 10 5IU mg ,产率为 73% ;突变体纯度提高了1119倍 ,比活达 5 9× 10 5IU mg ,产率为 6 9% .纯化产物SDS PAGE分析显示 ,rht PA和突变体基本都呈单一条带 ,扫描分析均达到 98%以上纯度 .rht PA和突变体在纯化系统中的行为作对照分析发现 ,突变体的构建思想在Lys Sepharose 4B亲和层析过程中有充分体现 .这两步层析组合是很好的纯化t PA及其突变体的方法 ,尤其是Lys Sepharose 4B纯化突变体效果更好     

Characterization of lipases from Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis isolated from human facial sebaceous skin

Two staphylococcal lipases were obtained from Staphylococcus epidermidis S2 and Staphylococcus aureus S11 isolated from sebaceous areas on the skin of the human face. The molecular mass of both enzymes was estimated to be 45 kDa by SDS-PAGE. S2 lipase displayed its highest activity in the hydrolysis of olive oil at 32 degrees C and pH 8, whereas S11 lipase showed optimal activity at 31 degrees C and pH 8.5. The S2 lipase showed the property of cold-adaptation, with activation energy of 6.52 kcal/mol. In contrast, S11 lipase's activation energy, at 21 kcal/mol, was more characteristic of mesophilic lipases. S2 lipase was stable up to 45° C and within the pH range from 5 to 9, whereas S11 lipase was stable up to 50 degrees C and from pH 6 to 10. Both enzymes had high activity against tributyrin, waste soybean oil, and fish oil. Sequence analysis of the S2 lipase gene showed an open reading frame of 2,067 bp encoding a signal peptide (35 aa), a pro-peptide (267 aa), and a mature enzyme (386 aa); the S11 lipase gene, at 2,076 bp, also encoded a signal peptide (37 aa), pro-peptide (255 aa), and mature enzyme (399 aa). The two enzymes maintained amino acid sequence identity of 98-99% with other similar staphylococcal lipases. Their microbial origins and biochemical properties may make these staphylococcal lipases isolated from facial sebaceous skin suitable for use as catalysts in the cosmetic, medicinal, food, or detergent industries.     

Production of polyhydroxyalkanoate from starch by the native isolate <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus cereus</Emphasis> CFR06

A bacterial strain that produces amylase and polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) was isolated, identified, and classified under the Bacillus cereus group based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and specific reaction in poly-myxin egg yolk Mannitol bromothymol blue agar (PEMBA) medium and in combination with microbiological and biochemical tests. The complete ORF of phaC gene was cloned by PCR technique and nucleotide sequences were determined. Results indicated that the phaC gene had 99% homology with phaC of B. cereus (AE016877.1), 98% with B. thuringiensis (AY331151.1), and 94% with several strains of B. anthracis and B. cereus group including Bacillus sp. INT005. However, only 90% sequence homology with phaC of B. megaterium (AF109909.2) was observed. The PHA production using different fermentable sugars was tested and it was found that the CFR06 was able to accumulate 36–60% of PHA in cell dry weight (CDW). Zymogram of amylase indicated that native strain produces an extracellular enzyme of ∼80 kDa. The potency of the organism to hydrolyze starch due to the intrinsic amylase activity was considered, and starch was used as the sole carbon source for growth and PHA production. GC, FTIR, and ¹H NMR analysis of the polymer indicated that the strain was a potent polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) producer. The bacterium accumulated about 48% PHA in CDW in a starch containing medium.     

A comparative study on cell wall antigens and cell surface hydrophobicity in clinical isolates ofCandida albicans

Characterization of common cell surface-bound antigens inCandida albicans strains, particularly those expressed in the walls of mycelial cells might be useful in the diagnosis of systemic candidiasis. Hence, antigenic similarities among wall proteins and mannoproteins fromC. albicans clinical serotype A and B isolates, were studied using polyclonal (mPAbs) and monoclonal (MAb 4C12) antibodies raised against wall antigens from the mycelial form of a commonC. albicans serotype A laboratory strain (ATCC 26555). Zymolyase digestion of walls isolated from cells of the different strains studied grown at 37°C (germination conditions), released, in all cases, numerous protein and mannoprotein components larger than 100 kDa, along with a 33–34 kDa species. The pattern of major antigens exhibiting reactivity towards the mPAbs preparation was basically similar for all the serotype A and B isolates, though minor strain-specific bands were also observed. The immunodeterminant recognized by MAb 4C12 was found to be absent or present in very low amounts inC. albicans isolates other than the ATCC 26555 strain, yet high molecular weight species similar in size (e.g., 260 kDa) to the wall antigen against which MAb 4C12 was raised, were observed, particularly in wall digests from serotype A strains. Cell surface hydrophobicity, an apparently important virulence factor inC. albicans, of the cell population of each serotype B strain was lower than that of the corresponding serotype A counterparts, which is possibly due to the fact that the former strains exhibited a reduced ability to form mycelial filaments under the experimental conditions used.Abbreviations CSH cell surface hydrophobicity - IIF indirect immunofluorescence     

Screening Botryosphaeria species for lipases: Production of lipase by Botryosphaeria ribis EC-01 grown on soybean oil and other carbon sources

Nine isolates of Botryosphaeria spp. were screened for lipases when cultivated on eight different plant seed oils and glycerol, and all produced lipases. Botryosphaeria ribis EC-01 produced highest lipase titres on soybean oil and glycerol, while eight isolates of Botryosphaeria rhodina produced significantly lower enzyme titres. B. ribis EC-01 produced lipase when grown on different fatty acids, surfactants, carbohydrates and triacylglycerols, with highest enzyme titres produced on Triton X-100-emulsified stearic (316.7 U/mL), palmitic (283.5 U/mL) and oleic (247.4 U/mg) acids, and soybean oil (105.6 U/mL), as well as castor oil (191.2 U/mg); an enhancement of 9-fold over soybean oil-grown cultures. Glycerol was also a good substrate for lipase production. The crude lipase extract was optimally active at pH 8.0 and 55 °C, stable between 30 and 55 °C and pH 1–10, and tolerant to 50% (v/v) glycerol, methanol and ethanol. The crude lipase showed affinity for substrates of short, average and long-chain fatty acids (different esters of p-nitrophenol and triacylglycerols). Zymograms developed with 4-methylumbelliferyl-butyrate showed two bands of lipolytic activity at 45 and 15 kDa. This is the first report on the production of lipases by B. ribis grown on these different carbon sources.     

Correlation of the Insecticidal Activity of the Bacillus thuringiensis A4 Strain Against Bactrocera oleae (Diptera) with the 140-kDa Crystal Polypeptide

The crystals of the soil-isolated Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) strain A4 consist of two polypeptides with molecular mass of 140 kDa and 32 kDa that exhibit insecticidal activity against adult flies of Bactrocera oleae (Diptera). Plasmid curing applied to this strain resulted in the isolation of several subclones exhibiting alterations in their crystal polypeptides as well as two acrystalliferous subclones. The crystals of subclone 1.1 lacked the 32-kDa polypeptide and consisted uniquely of a 140-kDa polypeptide antigenically related to the parental 140-kDa crystal polypeptide. Additionally, the crystals of this subclone exhibited insecticidal activity against B. oleae equivalent to that of the parental strain. Therefore, the 32-kDa crystal polypeptide is dispensable for insecticidal activity, which appears to be dependent on the presence of the 140-kDa crystal polypeptide. Received: 5 April 2000 / Accepted 2 May 2000     

Use of glycoconjugates for trypanosomatid taxonomy

Glycoconjugates from five trypanosomatid genera—Crithidia, Herpetomonas, Endotrypanum, Leishmania, and Trypanosoma—were extracted with Triton X-114 and analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis followed by periodic acid-Schiff staining. Most of the glycoconjugates were detected in the hydrophobic phase, indicating the presence of anchored glycoconjugates. All the trypanosomatids expressed a glycoconjugate with a low molecular weigh (below 20 kDa) in this phase. In each species, however, a characteristic and specific pattern of glycoconjugates was also observed in both phases. In the hydrophobic phase: 14–29 kDa lycoconjugates in C. guilhermei; 24–70 kDa in C. fasciculata, C. luciliae, E. schaudinni, and T. cruzi Y and G strains; 45–66 kDa in C. oncopelti and H. samuelpessoai; above 36 kDa in T. dionisii; 20–24 kDa, 36–45 kDa, and 70 kDa in L. tarentolae and T. mega. In the hydrophilic phase, typical glycoproteins were observed in some trypanosomatids: 60 kDa in T. mega and T. cruzi Y strain; 70 kDa in H. samuelpessoai; 66 kDa in C. oncopelti; 20–70 kDa in C. luciliae. These findings suggest that Triton X-114-extracted glycoconjugates could be useful markers for trypanosomatid taxonomy.     

Cellulases of Penicillium verruculosum

Nine major cellulolytic enzymes were isolated from a culture broth of a mutant strain of the fungus Penicillium verruculosum: five endo-1, 4-β-glucanases (EGs) having molecular masses 25, 33, 39, 52, and 70 kDa, and four cellobiohydrolases (CBHs: 50, 55, 60, and 66 kDa). Based on amino acid similarities of short sequenced fragments and peptide mass fingerprinting, the isolated enzymes were preliminary classified into different families of glycoside hydrolases: Cel5A (EG IIa, 39 kDa), Cel5B (EG IIb, 33 kDa), Cel6A (CBH II, two forms: 50 and 60 kDa), Cel7A (CBH I: 55 and 66 kDa), Cel7B (EG I: 52 and 70 kDa). The 25 kDa enzyme was identical to the previously isolated Cel12A (EG III). The family assignment was further confirmed by the studies of the substrate specificity of the purified enzymes. High-molecular-weight forms of the Cel6A, Cel7A, and Cel7B were found to possess a cellulose-binding module (CBM), while the catalytically active low-molecular-weight forms of the enzymes, as well as other cellulases, lacked the CBM. Properties of the isolated enzymes, such as substrate specificity toward different polysaccharides and synthetic glycosides, effect of pH and temperature on the enzyme activity and stability, adsorption on Avicel cellulose and kinetics of its hydrolysis, were investigated.     

Biosynthesis,targeting and processing of oleosin-like proteins,which are major pollen coat components in Brassica napus

The purpose of this study is to characterise the biosynthesis, targeting and processing of some of the major protein components of the pollen coat, or tryphine, of Brassica napus. The authors have N-terminally sequenced 11 of the most abundant pollen coat polypeptides, and nine of these sequences correspond to proteolytically cleaved products of seven oleosin-like genes, i.e. Oln B;1 to Oln B;6 and Oln B;11. The Oln B;11 gene product is co- or post-translationally targeted in vitro to canine microsomal membranes. This implies that the oleosin-like protein is targeted to the endoplasmic reticulum in tapetal cells in vivo. Affinity-purified antibodies raised against a 20-residue domain of Oln B;3 and B;4 gene products cross-reacted with full-length proteins of 45–48 kDa in early developing (< 2 mm to 5 mm) buds and anthers, but recognised truncated proteins of 32–38 kDa at later (4 mm to 7 mm) stages of development. The 45–48 kDa immunoreactive proteins were associated with a floating lipid body fraction obtained from a tapetal/locular fluid extract from maturing anthers and a major 48 kDa polypeptide from this fraction was confirmed by N-terminal sequencing to be a full length product of the Oln B;3 gene. Quantitative immunocytochemical studies showed that the full length 45–48 kDa oleosin-like proteins were specifically localised in the interior of tapetal cytoplasmic lipid bodies where they were associated with a regular hexagonal-like fibrous reticulum. No significant labelling of elaioplasts was observed. The same antibodies specifically labelled 32–38 kDa oleosin-like proteins on the extracellular pollen coat of maturing pollen grains. These results demonstrate for the first time that many of the major pollen coat proteins are derived from an endoproteolytic cleavage of precursor oleosin-like proteins that originally accumulate within the large cytoplasmic lipid bodies of tapetal cells.     

Purification and properties of the lipases from Rhodotorula pilimanae Hedrick and Burke

Summary The Rhodotorula pilimanae CBS 5804 strain secretes into the culture medium two lipases: their pH optima are 4 and 7. The two lipases were purified by precipitation with acetone followed by chromatography on SP-Sephadex C50 and Sephadex G200. The purification factors achieved in comparison with the supernatant culture were x74 for lipase I and x90 for lipase II. The molecular weights were estimated at 172,800 and 21,400 for lipase I and lipase II, respectively. Their activities are optimal between 45°C and 55°C. The activation energies were 5.9 kcal·mole^-1 for lipase I and 12.4 kcal·mole^-1 for lipase II. The inactivation energies were about 21.9 and 17.7 kcal·mole^-1 for lipase I and lipase II, respectively. The enzymes are slightly inhibited by Cu²⁺, Co²⁺, Hg²⁺, Mn²⁺, N-acetylacetone, acetic acid and sodium lauryl sulphate. EDTA did not affect their enzymatic activity. These two lipases are secreted in the culture media in the absence of inducer; their biosynthesis is not inhibited by glucose. These lipases hydrolyse primarily the 1-(or 3-)position of all triglycerides tested.     

Isolation and Identification of Streptomyces fradiae SU-1 from Thailand and Protoplast Transformation with the Chitinase B Gene from Nocardiopsis prasina OPC-131

Thirty-two strains of actinomycetes obtained from soil samples of Thailand were selected. Actinomycete strain SU-1 is the most effective in terms of antagonism of Fusarium moniliforme. It produces antifungal substances on agar medium against F. moniliforme. On the basis of microscopical observations of its morphology and biochemical tests as well as analysis of cell wall and fatty acid pattern, this strain was identified as Streptomyces fradiae. The chitinase gene B (chiB337) from Nocardiopsis prasina OPC-131 was inserted into an integrating plasmid pFIS318, an Escherichia coli–Streptomyces shuttle vector. The new plasmid pFIS319-1 carrying the chitinase gene was used to transform protoplasts of S. fradiae strain SU-1. The obtained recombinant strain SU-1 pFIS319-1 exhibited higher chitinase activity than the wild-type in chitinase induction medium. Chitinase activity after renaturing protein from SDS-PAGE was detected rapidly by using 4-methylumbelliferyl β-D-N,N′’-diacetylchitobioside as the substrate. S. fradiae SU-1 secreted two chitinases with estimated molecular masses of 26 kDa and 43 kDa whereas the recombinant strain secreted three chitinases of about 26 kDa, 31.5 kDa (ChiB), and 43 kDa. The supernatant of the recombinant strain grown in chitinase induction medium inhibited the hyphal extension of F. moniliforme.     

Chitinolytic activities of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Clostridium</Emphasis> sp. JM2 isolated from stool of human administered per orally by chitosan

The novel chitinolytic bacterium Clostridium beijerinckii strain JM2 was isolated from the stool of healthy volunteers supplied daily per orally with 3 g of chitosan. The bacterium grown on colloidal chitin produced a complete array of chitinolytic enzymes. Significant activities of endochitinase, exochitinase and chitosanase were excreted into the medium (301, 282 and 268 nkat/μg protein, respectively). The high cellular activity of N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase (NAGase) and chitosanase were detected (732.4 and 154 nkat/μg protein, respectively). NAGase activity represented the main activity associated with the cellular fraction. The activities of both enzymes tested increased from 20 to 50 °C; the optimum reaction temperature estimated being 50 °C. Endochitinase as well as NAGase showed an activity in the pH interval of 4.0–8.0; the optimum pH values were 6.5 and 6.0, respectively. The extracellular endochitinase complex consisted of six isoenzymes with molar mass of 32–76 kDa; in the cellular fraction five bands with molar mass of 45–86 kDa were detected. Exochitinase activity was demonstrated in the form of three bands (with molar mass of 30–57 kDa), NAGase activity displayed one band of 45 kDa.     

Heat Shock Protein Produced by Helicobacter pylori

The cells of Helicobacter pylori were suspended in the medium containing³⁵S-methionine. After a heat shock of the cells at 42 C for 5, 10, and 30 min, the production of proteins was analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and autoradiography. Out of many proteins produced by the cells, only 66 kDa protein production was dramatically increased by heat treatment. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of 66 kDa protein was quite similar to that of 62 kDa and 54 kDa proteins previously suggested as heat shock protein (HSP) of H. pylori based on the reaction with polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies against HSP 60 family proteins produced by other bacteria. Therefore, it was concluded that H. pylori produces the 66 kDa protein as its major heat shock protein which belongs to HSP 60 family.     

Three New Lipases from Actinomycetes and Their Use in Organic Reactions

Three novel lipase-producing microorganisms have been isolated from 526 actinomycete strains by employing screening techniques on solid media. Time-course and scale-up of enzyme production were analyzed. The lipases, produced by microorganisms belonging to the Streptomyces genus, were tested in several reactions in organic medium using unnatural substrates. The lyophilized crude lipases are stable at least for 1 month at 4°C (100% recovered activity). The lipase activity per milliliter of cell culture broth was higher than described in the literature for other lipases from actinomycetes. The three selected lipases displayed better activity than commercial lipase from Candida rugosa in the resolution of chiral secondary alcohols. The lipase from S. halstedii also displayed very good activity in the synthesis of carbamates.     

Soluble salivary proteins secreted bySchizaphis graminum

Schizaphis graminum (Rondani) (Homoptera: Aphididae), when feeding on a sucrose solution, secreted primarily three proteins of 154, 69, and 66 kilodaltons (kDa). The sequence of the first nine amino acids at the N-terminus of the 66 and 69 kDa proteins was identical suggesting that they differ only in processing at the C-terminus. The N-terminus of the 154 kDa protein was different, yet had some similarity to the N-terminus of the 66 and 69 kDa proteins. There was an immunological cross-reaction between the 154 kDa and the 66 and 69 kDa proteins indicating some amino acid sequence similarity. The probable relationships of these proteins are discussed.     

Cellulase from Bacillus licheniformis and Brucella sp. isolated from mangrove soils of Mahanadi river delta,Odisha, India

In the present study, two cellulose-degrading bacteria (CDB-5 and CDB-12) were isolated from mangrove soils of Mahanadi river delta, based on halo zone formation in Congo red agar medium and evaluation for cellulase production in CMC broth medium. Based on morphological, biochemical and 16S rRNA gene sequencing, the two strains, CDB-5 and CDB-12, were identified as Brucella sp. and Bacillus licheniformis, respectively. The gene bank accession number of the strains CDB-5 and CDB-12 are KR632646 and KR632645, respectively. The strain Brucella sp. and B. licheniformis showed an enzyme activity of 96.37?U/ml and 98.25?U/ml, respectively, after 72?h of incubation period. Enzyme production was optimized under different growth conditions such as pH, temperature, agitation rate, carbon source, sodium chloride (NaCl), and nitrogen sources. Maximum cellulase production by both the strains was obtained in the same parameter condition such as pH (7.0), rpm (150), and NaCl (2%, w/v) which varies for other parameters. The strain, CDB-5, produced maximum cellulase at 35?°C temperature, maltose as a carbon source, and yeast extract as a nitrogen source where as the strain CDB-12 produces maximum cellulase at 45?°C temperature, carboxyl methyl cellulose (CMC) as carbon source and trypton as a nitrogen source. The bacterial crude enzyme was purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation followed by overnight dialysis. SDS-PAGE analysis of the partially purified cellulase enzyme exhibited band sizes of approximately 55 and 72?kDa.     

An organic solvent-, detergent-, and thermostable alkaline protease from the mesophilic, organic solvent-tolerant Bacillus licheniformis 3C5

Bacillus licheniformis 3C5, isolated as mesophilic bacterium, exhibited tolerance towards a wide range of non-polar and polar organic solvents at 45°C. It produced an extracellular organic solvent-stable protease with an apparent molecular mass of approximately 32 kDa. The inhibitory effect of PMSF and EDTA suggested it is likely to be an alkaline serine protease. The protease was active over a broad range of temperatures (45–70°C) and pH (8–10) range with an optimum activity at pH 10 and 65°C. It was comparatively stable in the presence of a relatively high concentration (35% (v/v)) of organic solvents and various types of detergents even at a relatively high temperature (45°C). The protease production by B. licheniformis 3C5 was growth-dependent. The optimization of carbon and nitrogen sources for cell growth and protease production revealed that yeast extract was an important medium component to support both cell growth and the protease production. The overall properties of the protease produced by B. licheniformis 3C5 suggested that this thermo-stable, solvent-stable, detergent-stable alkaline protease is a promising potential biocatalyst for industrial and environmental applications.     

Purification and characterization of S layer proteins from Clostridium difficile GAI 0714

The S layer of Clostridium difficile GAI0714 was shown to be composed of two proteins, of 32 kDa and 45 kDa, as determined by SDS-PAGE. The two proteins were extracted with 8 M-urea (pH 8.3) from a cell wall preparation and purified by DEAE-Sepharose CL-6B chromatography followed by HPLC gel filtration. When solubilized in 0.1 M-urea, both proteins appeared to exhibit dimeric forms, with respective molecular masses of about 61 kDa and 99 kDa, upon HPLC. Although the amino acid compositions of the two proteins differed from each other, both proteins had a high content of acidic amino acids, very low contents of histidine and methionine, and no cysteine. The 32 kDa protein exhibited multiple isoelectric forms (pI 3.7-3.9), whereas the 45 kDa protein had a single form (pI 3.3). Radioiodination and immunogold labelling revealed that both proteins were exposed evenly over the entire cell surface. Based on immunodiffusion analysis using monospecific antiserum raised to the individual proteins, there was no antigenic relationship between the two proteins. Furthermore, immunoblot analysis showed that the antigenicity of the 32 kDa protein appeared to be strain specific, whereas that of the 45 kDa protein appeared to be group specific.     

An organic solvent-, detergent-, and thermo-stable alkaline protease from the mesophilic, organic solvent-tolerant Bacillus licheniformis 3C5

Bacillus licheniformis 3C5, isolated as mesophilic bacterium, exhibited tolerance towards a wide range of non-polar and polar organic solvents at 45 degrees C. It produced an extracellular organic solvent-stable protease with an apparent molecular mass of approximately 32 kDa. The inhibitory effect of PMSF and EDTA suggested it is likely to be an alkaline serine protease. The protease was active over abroad range of temperatures (45-70 degrees C) and pH (8-10) range with an optimum activity at pH 10 and 65 degrees C. It was comparatively stable in the presence ofa relatively high concentration (35% (v/v)) of organic solvents and various types of detergents even at a relatively high temperature (45 degrees C). The protease production by B. licheniformis 3C5 was growth-dependent. The optimization of carbon and nitrogen sources for cell growth and protease production revealed that yeast extract was an important medium component to support both cell growth and the protease production. The overall properties of the protease produced by B. licheniformis 3C5 suggested that this thermo-stable, solvent-stable, detergent-stable alkaline protease is a promising potential biocatalyst for industrial and environmental applications.