A new cuticle scale hydrolysing protease from Beauveria brongniartii.
From a screening for the production of new proteases specific for cuticle scales, Beauveria brongniartii was selected producing an alkaline Ca(++) dependent protease. The purified had a molecular weight of 27 kDa and a pI value of 8.0. Substrate specificities of model substrates (wool with partially removed cuticles treated with SDS) were analyzed by protein release, dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and nitrogen analysis. The C/N ratio of released material turned out to be a good parameter to determine the site of action of proteases on fibres. Compared to other enzymes, the fungal protease preferentially hydrolyzed cuticle scales and has thus a potential for anti-shrinking pre-treatment of wool fabrics.
Erlacher
A
A
Department of Environmental Biotechnology, Graz University of Technology, Petersgasse 12, Graz, Austria.
Sousa
F
F
Schroeder
M
M
Jus
S
S
Kokol
V
V
Cavaco-Paulo
A
A
Guebitz
G M
GM
D000818:Animals; D052982:Beauveria / Q000201:enzymology*; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002244:Carbon / Q000737:chemistry; D002364:Caseins / Q000737:chemistry; D010450:Endopeptidases / Q000737:chemistry; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D006868:Hydrolysis; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000737:chemistry; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases / Q000737:chemistry*; D013379:Substrate Specificity; D013696:Temperature; D014935:Wool / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology
D002364:Caseins; C026018:azocasein; D002244:Carbon; D010450:Endopeptidases; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases; D009584:Nitrogen; D002118:Calcium