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Properties of extremely thermostable proteases from anaerobic hyperthermophilic bacteria

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Summary

Hyperthermostable proteases were characterized from five archaeobacterial species (Thermococcus celer, T. stetteri, Thermococcus strain AN 1, T. litoralis, Staphylothermus marinus) and the hyperthermophilic eubacterium Thermobacteroides proteolyticus. These proteases, which were found to be of the serine type, exhibited a preference for phenylalanine in the carboxylic side of the peptide. The enzymes from Thermococcus stetteri and T. litoralis hydrolysed most substrates (peptides) tested. All proteases were extremely thermostable and demonstrated optimal activities between 80 and 95°C. The pH optimum was either neutral (T. celer, Thermococcus strain AN 1) or alkaline. The protease of Thermobacteroides proteolyticus was optimally active at pH 9.5. Zymogram staining showed the presence of multiple protease bands for all strains investigated.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Arbeitsbereich Biotechnologie I, Technische Mikrobiologie, Technische Universität Hamburg-Harburg, Harburger Schlossstrasse 37, D-2100, Hamburg 90, Federal Republic of Germany

    Michael Klingeberg & Garabed Antranikian

  2. Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan

    Fuad Hashwa

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  1. Michael Klingeberg
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  2. Fuad Hashwa
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  3. Garabed Antranikian
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Klingeberg, M., Hashwa, F. & Antranikian, G. Properties of extremely thermostable proteases from anaerobic hyperthermophilic bacteria. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 34, 715–719 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00169339

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00169339

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