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Updated: May 9, 2026

A New Screening Method for the Directed Evolution of Thermostable Bacteriolytic Enzymes
Published on: November 7, 2012
Proteolysin, a novel highly thermostable and cosolvent-compatible protease from the thermophilic bacterium
Ana Toplak1, Bian Wu, Fabrizia Fusetti
1Biotransformation and Biocatalysis, Groningen Biomolecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
Through genome mining, we identified a gene encoding a putative serine protease of the thermitase subgroup of subtilases (EC 3.4.21.66) in the thermophilic bacterium Coprothermobacter proteolyticus. The gene was functionally expressed in Escherichia coli, and the enzyme, which we called proteolysin, was purified to near homogeneity from crude cell lysate by a single heat treatment step. Proteolysin has a broad pH tolerance and is active at temperatures of up to 80°C. In addition, the enzyme shows good activity and stability in the presence of organic solvents, detergents, and dithiothreitol, and it remains active in 6 M guanidinium hydrochloride. Based on its stability and activity profile, proteolysin can be an excellent candidate for applications where resistance to harsh process conditions is required.
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