Purification and Biochemical Characterization of Native and Pegylated Form of L-Asparaginase from Aspergillus terreus and Evaluation of Its Antiproliferative Activity

Abstract

L-asparaginase is a chemotherapeutic drug used in the treatment of lymphoblastic leukemia. In the present study, the extracellular L-asparaginase produced by strain (PC-1.7A) of Aspergillus terreus was purified, characterized, and modified with polyethylene glycol. Moreover, its antiproliferative activity was evaluated. The apparent molecular weight of the enzyme was found to be 136 kDa. The optimal pH and temperature for the enzyme were 9.0℃ and 40℃, respectively. The enzyme retained 100% of the activity at 40℃ for 120 min. Pegylated L-asparaginase was more thermostable and more resistant to trypsin than native enzyme. Native L-asparaginase against human normal cells did not show cytotoxicity. However, in the leukemia cell lines RS4;11 and HL60 the antiproliferative effects of native L-asparaginase were observed after 96 and 72 h of incubation, respectively. For the first time, an L-asparaginase from fungus was evaluated as an antitumor agent in human cells lines and further investigations should be conducted to improve the knowledge about this enzyme.