Evidence for propeptide-assisted folding of the calcium-dependent protease of the cyanobacterium Anabaena

Abstract

The Ca2+-dependent protease of the cyanobacterium Anabaena variabilis is a cytoplasmic enzyme with a substrate specificity like trypsin. Its previously published DNA sequence [Maldener, I., Lockau, W., Cai, Y. and Wolk, C.P. (1991) Mol. Gen. Genet. 225, 113-120] contained a sequencing error. Here we report the corrected sequence which shows, that the Ca2+-protease belongs to the family of subtilases (subtilisin-like serine proteases). Consistent with its cytoplasmic localization, a pre-sequence is not found. The enzyme is produced as a precursor with a large amino-terminal propeptide. Expression of the pro-region and mature region (protease domain) in Escherichia coli cells in trans demonstrates that formation of the active enzyme requires the propeptide. The results demonstrate that propeptide-assisted protein folding also occurs with cytoplasmic enzymes, in support of the hypothesis that this mechanism is a widespread phenomenon.