[Properties of post-proline cleaving enzymes from Tenebrio molitor]

Bioorg Khim. 2008 May-Jun;34(3):310-6. doi: 10.1134/s1068162008030047.
[Article in Russian]

Abstract

Two post-proline cleaving enzymes PRE1 and PRE2 with molecular masses of 101 and 62 kDa, respectively, capable of hydrolyzing Z-AlaAlaPro-pNA were isolated for the first time from the midgut of the flour beetle Tenebrio molitor and characterized. PRE1 is active only in acidic media, with a maximum at pH 5.6, whereas PRE2, both in acidic and alkaline media with a maximum at pH 7.9. Using inhibitory analysis, both PRE1 and PRE2 were shown to belong to serine peptidases. Some data indicate that a Cys residue is located close to the PRE2 active site. Z-Pro-prolinal, a specific inhibitor of prolyl oligopeptidases, inhibits completely PRE2 and partially PRE1. The substrate specificities of the isolated enzymes were studied. It was shown that Z-AlaAla-Pro-pNA was the best substrate for PRE1, and Z-AlaPro-pNA, for PRE2. The combination of the studied properties allowed characterization of PRE2 as a prolyl oligopeptidase.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aniline Compounds / chemistry
  • Animals
  • Chromatography, Gel
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Hydrolysis
  • Larva / enzymology
  • Prolyl Oligopeptidases
  • Serine Endopeptidases / chemistry*
  • Serine Endopeptidases / isolation & purification
  • Substrate Specificity
  • Tenebrio / enzymology*

Substances

  • Aniline Compounds
  • Serine Endopeptidases
  • Prolyl Oligopeptidases