title: Identification of an elastolytic protease in stationary phase culture filtrates of M. tuberculosis.
abstract: Culture filtrate from M. tuberculosis grown in Sauton broth was screened at weekly intervals for elastase and caseinase activity. Both activities were detected concomitantly at 4 weeks and had similar inhibitor and pH profiles. Highest activity occurred between pH 6.5 and pH 7.5. Azocaseinase activity was linear with time between 12 and 28 h at 37 degrees C. Enzymatic activity was inhibited by EDTA, EGTA, dithiothreitol, ethylmaleimide, 1,10-phenanthroline, Zincov, N-tosyl-L-phenylalanine chloromethyl ketone, and N-methoxysuccinyl-Ala-Ala-Pro-Val chloromethyl ketone. SDS-PAGE analysis revealed breakdown of casein after incubation with culture filtrate. These results indicate the presence of a calcium-dependent, elastolytic metalloprotease in stationary phase cultures of M. tuberculosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical and Research Technology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore 21201, USA. srowland@umabnet.ab.umd.edu
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Rowland
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Ruckert
authors.forename: B N
authors.initials: BN
authors.lastname: Burall
mesh_terms: D008666:Metalloendopeptidases / Q000032:analysis* / Q000187:drug effects; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000201:enzymology*; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase / Q000032:analysis* / Q000187:drug effects; D011480:Protease Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D011480:Protease Inhibitors; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases; C030895:caseinase