Functional expression of the keratinolytic serine protease gene sfp2 from Streptomyces fradiae var. k11 in Pichia pastoris

We report the initial characterization and expression of sfp2, a gene encoding a keratinolytic serine protease from Streptomyces fradiae var. k11. Recombinant SFP2 was expressed in and secreted from the yeast Pichia pastoris with a final yield of 78 mg/L (136.2 U/mL caseinolytic activity) after 25 h of induction. The recombinant enzyme was purified using by ammonium sulfate precipitation and gel filtration chromatography to electrophoretic homogeneity, which was appropriately glycosylated and had a molecular mass of 26.0 kDa. The purified recombinant SFP2 was characterized. The optimal pHs and temperatures of SFP2 for proteolysis of casein and keratin azure were pH 10.0, 60 °C, and pH 9.0, 55 °C, respectively. SFP2 activity was stable from pH 3.0 to pH 11.0. The enzyme activity was inhibited by Co2+ and Cr3+ and enhanced by Ni2+ and Cu2+. The Km of 0.45 mmol/L and Vmax of 19.84 mmol/min mg were calculated using N-succinyl-Ala-Ala-Pro-Phe-pNA as a substrate. We tested the activity of SFP2 with soluble and insoluble substrates; SFP2 was more specific for keratinous substrates compared with proteinase K and other commercial proteases.