Reinvestigation of the proteolytically active components of Bromelia pinguin fruit.
Pinguinain is the name given to a proteolytic enzyme preparation obtained from Bromelia pinguin fruits that has been scarcely studied. The present paper deals on the reexamination of the proteases present in fruits of B. pinguin grown in Cienfuegos, Cuba. The preparation (partially purified pinguinain, PPP) showed the main characteristics of the cysteine proteases, i.e., optimum pH within alkaline range (pH 7.2-8.8), inhibition of proteolytic activity by thiol blocking reagents, which is usually reverted by addition of cysteine, a remarkable thermal stability and notable stability at high ionic strength values. Isoelectric focusing and zymogram of PPP revealed the presence of several proteolytic components between pI 4.6 and 8.1. Preliminary peptidase purification by cationic exchange chromatography showed the presence of two main proteolytic fractions with molecular masses of approximately 20.0 kDa, according to SDS-PAGE.
Payrol
Juan Abreu
JA
Instituto de Farmacia y Alimentos, Universidad de La Habana,Calle 23, Entre 214 y 222, # 21425, La Coronela, La Lisa, Ciudad de La Habana, CP 13600, Cuba. payrol@ifal2.uh.cu
Obregón
Walter D
WD
Natalucci
Claudia L
CL
Caffini
Néstor O
NO
D031231:Bromelia; D003546:Cysteine Endopeptidases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015853:Cysteine Proteinase Inhibitors / Q000737:chemistry; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D010450:Endopeptidases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005638:Fruit; D006801:Humans; D007525:Isoelectric Focusing; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology
D015853:Cysteine Proteinase Inhibitors; D010936:Plant Extracts; C024521:pinguinain; D010450:Endopeptidases; D003546:Cysteine Endopeptidases