Purification and characterization of an endopeptidase from Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp bulgaricus B14

An intracellular endopeptidase was purified from cell-free extracts of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus B14 by anion exchange chromatography on DEAE-Sepharose, hydroxyapatite chromatography, second anion exchange chromatography on Mono-Q, and metal-chelating affinity chromatography. The endopeptidase was a monomer with a molecular mass of approximately 70 kDa determined by SDS-PAGE and gel filtration. Various oligopeptides (e.g. Met-enkephalin, bradykinin) were hydrolysed by the endopeptidase. Exopeptidase activity and cleavage of dipeptides or tripeptides was not observed. The K-M value for the cleavage of Met-enkephalin was 1.2 mM. Temperature and pH optima were 47 degrees C and pH 7.7, respectively. The endopeptidase was inhibited by the classical agents for metal-dependent (EDTA) and serine (DFP) enzymes. Activity was increased by Co2+ and Mg2+, no effect was observed with Ca2+. After inhibition with EDTA, enzyme activity could be restored fully by Co2+. Activity was inhibited by Zn2+, Mn2+ Fe2+, Cu2+, Cd2+ and Hg2+. The N-terminal sequence of the endopeptidase was determined as: H2N-Val-Arg-Gly-Gly-Ser-Gly-Asp-Thr-Thr-Val-0H. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Limited.