• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.545-551
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• 1989

Thermostable alkaline protease of alkalophilic Bacillus sp. No. 8-16 has been purified, and the properties of the enzyme investigated. The characteristic point of the organism used is especially good growth in alkaline and thermal condition. The alkaline protease of the strain No. 8-16 was purified from crude enzyme by acetone precipitation, CM-cellulose ion exchange chromatography, Sephadex G-100 and Sephadex G-75 gel filtration. Through the series of chromatograpies, the enzyme was purified to homogeneity with specific activity of 37 fold higher than that of the crude broth. Characteristics of the purified enzyme were as follow; $K_m$ value for the enzyme was 1.3 mg/ml, the alkaline protease showed a maximal activity at 7$0^{\circ}C$ and from the pH 6.0 through 12.0, and stable for 1 hr. at 6$0^{\circ}C$. The moleclar weight of the enzyme was estimated to be 33,000 by Sephadex G-100 gel filtration. The activity of the alkaline protease was inhibited by iodoacetic acid and Ag$^+$, Hg$^+$, PMSF (phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride), and activated by $Ca^{2+}$ and Mn$^{2+}$.