Isolation of an Enzyme from Streptococcus Sanguis Which Specifically Cleaves IgA

Abstract

IgA protease, a metal-dependent endopeptidase elaborated by bacteria normally found in the human oral cavity and intestinal tract, can be isolated in good yield from culture filtrates of Streptococcus sanguis. The enzyme has pronounced specificity for secretory and serum IgA, which it cleaves to form Fcα and Fabα fragments.