Processing of protealysin precursor

Protealysin, a protease previously described by us in Serratia proteamaculans, belongs to the group of thermolysin-like proteases (TLPs) that differ from classical TLPs by the precursor structural organization. The propeptide of protealysin precursor has no significant structural similarity to the propeptides of most TLPs. The functions of protealysin-like precursors and mechanisms of their action remain unclear. We studied the pathway of protealysin precursor processing in vitro using standard approaches: modification of the catalytic site and monitoring immobilized precursor maturation. The Glu(113) → Ala substitution inhibited the precursor maturation, which pointed to the autocatalytic processing. The mutant precursor exposure to active protealysin converted it to the mature enzyme, thus, indicating the intermolecular processing. Intermolecular processing of the mutant protein by other proteases such as thermolysin or subtilisin is also possible. The intact protealysin precursor was efficiently autoprocessed in solution but not after immobilization. These data indicate that the processing of protealysin precursor differs from that of classical TLPs. The protealysin propeptide is cleaved by an autocatalytic or heterocatalytic intermolecular mechanism and is most likely not removed intramolecularly.