Nucleic acids encoding a collagenase

摘要

An isolated sequence is provided that encodes crab serine collagenase I. The mature recombinant collagenase (SEQ. I.D. No:4) has a molecular weight of 23,500 and may be expressed in a variety of expression systems for production of readily isolated and reliably pure collagenase with excellent specificity. The recombinant collagenase, however, may be expressed in inactive, zymogen form so as to provide long-term, shelf-stable protease that can be readily activated when collagenolytic activity is desired.