Proteolysin, a novel highly thermostable and cosolvent-compatible protease from the thermophilic bacterium coprothermobacter proteolyticus

Abstract

Through genome mining, we identified a gene encoding a putative serine protease of the thermitase subgroup of subtilases (EC 3.4.21.66) in the thermophilic bacterium Coprothermobacter proteolyticus. The gene was functionally expressed in Escherichia coli, and the enzyme, which we called proteolysin, was purified to near homogeneity from crude cell lysate by a single heat treatment step. Proteolysin has a broad pH tolerance and is active a temperatures of up to 80°C. In addition, the enzyme shows good activity and stability in the presence of organicsolvents, detergents, and dithiothreitol, and it remains active in 6Mguanidinium hydrochloride. Based on its stability and activity profile, proteolysin can be an excellent candidate for applications where resistance to harsh process conditions is required. © 2013, American Society for Microbiology.