Heterologous expression and characterization of a novel subtilisin-like protease from a thermophilic Thermus thermophilus HB8.Subtilisins are a family of serine proteases used widely throughout the detergent, leather and food industries, with the identification and development of new enzymes holding much potential value.  Thermus thermophilus HB8 was examined for serine proteases and found TTHA0724 gene.  To obtain active T. thermophilus HB8 subtilisins, three genes encoding prepro-subtilisin, pro-subtilisin and mature-subtilisin were cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli Transetta (DE3).  Furthermore, the mature-subtilisin demonstrated broad substrate specificity, with no requirement for the presence of metal ions which are essential for other subtilisin enzymes.  These properties suggest that T. thermophilus HB8 mature-subtilisin has potential value in its application in many industries.
THERM