AN IMPROVED TECHNIQUE FOR PREPARATION OF STREPTOMYCES PEPTIDASES AND N-ACETYLMURAMYL-L-ALANINE AMIDASE ACTIVE ON BACTERIAL WALL PEPTIDOGLYCANS

Separation and purification of N-acetylmuramyl-L-alanine amidase, of aminopeptidase, and of the four bacteriolytic MR, SA, ML, and KM endopeptidases are described. The activities of the enzymes are discussed with respect to the nature of the sensitive linkages and to the rates of hydrolysis of these linkages when the enzymes act upon isolated walls or upon soluble compounds. In some cases, a high degree of polymerization of the substrate enhances the enzyme activity upon the sensitive linkages. © 1969, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.