Peptide hydrolases ofLactobacillus casei: isolation and general properties of various peptidase activities

Abstract

SummaryDiscovery of an endopeptidase by gel chromatography and separation of 3 exopeptidases (a dipeptidase, an aminopeptidase and a specific carboxypeptidase) fromLactobacillus caseiNCDO 151 by affinity chromatography is described. The 3 exopeptidases were strongly inhibited by the metal chelators EDTA and 1,10-phenanthroline but were reactivated with Co2+and Mn2+. The pH optima for aminopeptidase, dipeptidase and carboxypeptidase activities were 6·5, 7·6 and 7·2, respectively. Maximum activity was obtained at 45 °C for the aminopeptidase, at 30 °C for the dipeptidase and at 40 °C for the carboxypeptidase.The substrate specificities of the 3 enzymes were also studied. The properties of these 3 enzymes are compared with those of other bacteria.