Purification and characterization of a novel metalloprotease isolated from Aeromonas caviae

Abstract

A novel protease produced by Aeromonas caviae was purified and characterized. The molecular weight of the protease (AP19) was estimated as 19 kDa on SDS–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The protease activity was not inhibited completely by heating at 100 °C for 15 min. The proteolytic activities were inhibited by metalloprotease inhibitor. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of AP19 was VTASVSFSGRCTN. AP19 did not activate Aeromonas proaerolysin, and did not show fluid accumulation in the rabbit intestinal loop test. A high concentration of the protease showed cytotoxic activity against Vero cells.