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Human skin proteases

Separation and characterization of two alkaline proteases, one splitting trypsin and the other chymotrypsin substrates

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Summary

Two alkaline proteases, one splitting preferentially the substrates of chymotrypsin (ATEE) and the other one those of trypsin (BAEE), were separated and partially purified by chromatographic means from human skin extract made in a buffer containing 1.07 mol/l KCl. The proteins soluble in dilute buffer were removed by a prior extraction. The enzymes could be separated effectively only in the presence of KCl at a high concentration since large molecular size aggregates or polymers were formed in solutions of low ionic strength. In the presence of 2 mol/l KCl the molecular size of the BAEE-hydrolysing enzyme was 120 000 and that of the ATEE-hydrolysing enzyme 30 000.

The ATEE-hydrolysing enzyme was purified by Sephadex G-100 gel filtration and DEAE-cellulose chromatography about 250 fold. It also hydrolysed esters of tryptophane and phenylalanine as well as casein with optimum pH 7.8–8.2. The enzyme was inhibited effectively by LBTI, SBTI and partially by Trasylol®, TPCK and TLCK, but not by E-600 and SH-modifiers. The hydrolysis of ATEE was doubled in the presence of 1 mol/l KCl, NaCl, KBr or NaBr but that of casein was inhibited to some extent. Human serum andα-1-antitrypsin inhibited this enzyme but not C\(\bar 1\)-inactivator.α-2-Macroglobulin did not protect it from inhibition by SBTI.

The BAEE-hydrolysing enzyme was purified by Sephadex G-100 gel filtration and hydroxylapatite chromatography about 30 fold. It also split other esters of substituted basic amino acids as well as BAPA and histone proteins with optimum pH 7.5–8.2. It was inhibited by Trasylol® and TLCK, but not by LBTI, SBTI, OMTI, TPCK, E-600, SH-modifiers, human serum, C\(\bar 1\)-inactivator orα-1-antitrypsin.

Neither of these enzymes is exactly similar to any one of the enzymes so far separated from h uman tissues or fluids.

Zusammenfassung

Zwei alkalische Proteinasen, von denen die eine vor allem die Substrate von Chymotrypsin (ATEE) und die andere die von Trypsin spalten, wurden aus menschlichem Hautextrakt in einer Pufferlösung von 1,07 mol/l KCl abgetrennt und teilweise mit chromatographischen Methoden gereinigt. Die Enzyme konnten nur in Anwesenheit einer hohen KCl-Konzentration getrennt werden, weil es bei schwachen Ionenkonzentrationen zur Bildung von großen Molekülaggregaten oder Polymeren kam. Bei 2 mol/l KCl war die Molekülgröße des Enzyms, das BAEE hydrolysiert, 120 000 und diejenige, das ATEE hydrolysiert, 30 000.

Das Enzym, das ATEE hydrolysiert, wurde mit Sephadex G-100 Gel-Filtration und DEAE-Cellulose-Chromatographie ca. 250mal gereinigt. Das Enzym hydrolysiert auch Tryptophan- und Phenylalanin-Ester sowie Casein bei einem pH-Optimum von 7,8–8,2. Das Enzym wurde durch LBTI, SBTI und teilweise durch Trasylol®, TPCK und TLCK, nicht aber durch E-600 und SH-Derivate gehemmt. Die Hydrolyse von ATEE wurde in Anwesenheit von 1 mol/l KCl, NaCl, KBr oder NaBr doppelt, die Hydrolyse von Casein geringer gehemmt. Menschliches Serum undα-1-Antitrypsin aber nicht C\(\bar 1\)-Inaktivator hemmte das Enzym.α-2-Makroglobulin schützte es nicht vor Hemmung bei SBTI.

Das Enzym, das BAEE hydrolisierte, wurde mit Sephadex G-100 Gel-Filtration und mit Hydroxylapatit-Chromatographie ca. 30mal gereinigt. Das Enzym spaltete auch andere Ester von den subtituierten Aminosäuren, sowohl BAPA als auch Histoneproteine, bei einem pH-Optimum von 7,5–8,2. Das Enzym wurde durch Trasylol® und TLCK gehemmt, nicht aber durch SBTI, OMTI, TPCK, E-600, durch SH-Derivate und durch menschliches Serum, C\(\bar 1\)-Inaktivator oderα-1-Antitrypsin.

Diese Enzyme sind nicht ganz identisch mit bisher aus menschlichen Geweben oder Flüssigkeiten isolierten Enzymen.

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This research was supported by grants from the Sigrid Juselius Foundation and the Finnish Medical Council. The authors are indebted to Mrs. Aila Sihvonen for skilful technical assistance.

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Fräki, J.E., Hopsu-Havu, V.K. Human skin proteases. Arch. Derm. Res. 253, 261–276 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00561152

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