Purification and characterization of the low molecular weight collagenase from pyloric caeca of tuna, Katsuwonus pelamis

Collagenases are generally defined as enzymes capable of degrading the polypeptide backbone of native collagen under conditions which do not denature the protein. Two types of proteases with collagenolytic activity have been reported and thought to play different physiological functions. Metallo-collagenases, firstly discovered in tadpole tissue explants are zinc-containing enzymes requiring calcium for optimum activity and stability, and These enzymes have been widely studied from various mammalian tissues as well as from bacteria, such as Bacillus cereus, Clostridium histolyticum, Achromobacter, Vibrio alginolyticus and Clostridium perfringens and snake venoms. (omitted)