Purification and characterization of hevain,a serine protease from Hevea brasiliensis

A serine protease of MW 69000 has been isolated, in homogeneous form, from the latex of Hevea brasiliensis. The enzyme, named hevain, has only limited esterolytic and proteolytic abilities, a maximum activity in the pH range 6.5–7.5, and a pI of 4.3. Hevain has a notably high content of acidic amino acids, while the aromatic residues are present in relatively minor amounts.