Abstract

Vibrio vulnificus, an opportunistic human pathogen causing septicemia, produces a metalloprotease which is suspected to be a virulence determinant, but which is labile in vivo due to inactivation by alpha-macroglobulin. To obtain a derivative which is stable in vivo, the metalloprotease was modified with activated monomethoxy polyethylene glycol. The modified protease retained full activity to a peptide substrate and 10-20% activity to protein substrates, and was resistant to entrapment by alpha-macroglobulin because of the increased molecular size (approx. 90 kDa). These findings suggest that the modified protease is stable in vivo and may be used to investigate the pathological actions of the protease in the bloodstream.

Full Text
Paper version not known

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.