Identification of Three Extracellular Proteases from Bacillus subtilis KCTC 3014

Three extracellular proteases (Vpr, peptidase T, and subtilisin) were identified from the culture supernatant of Bacillus subtilis KCTC 3014. All the proteins were partially purified as a mature form by using a DEAE-cellulose ion-exchange column chromatography. Their activities were determined by using zymography and densitometry. The relative molecular masses of Vpr and peptidase T (PepT) were determined to be 68 and 48 kDa by SDS-PAGE and zymography, respectively. However, subtilisin formed a 'binding mode' at the top of the separating gel. After denaturation by boiling at $100^{\circ}C$ for 5 min, its molecular mass was determined to be 29 kDa, whereas its activity was lost. The optimal pH of Vpr, PepT, and subtilisin were 9.0, 6.0-7.0, and 7.0-8.0, respectively. The optimal temperature of Vpr, PepT, and subtilisin was 40, 50, and $40^{\circ}C$, respectively. Inhibitor test revealed that Vpr and subtilisin were serine proteases and that PepT was a metalloprotease. Interestingly, we found that Vpr showed no enzyme activity on a 2DE zymogram gel. Three genes, vpr, pepT, and apr (encoding subtilisin protein), were cloned and their nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences were determined.