MICROSOMAL ENDOPEPTIDASE

摘要

Unique microsomal endopeptidases are discussed. The endopeptidases are useful in enhancing the processing of proteins that are substrates for the endopeptidase in vivo and in vitro. The microsomal endopeptidase is characterized by (a) a molecular weight of 65,000 +/- 3,000 daltons by SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions; (b) cleaves proteins C-terminal to a basic amino acid residue; and (c) retains at least 50 % activity at pH 7.0-10.0. The endopeptidases may also be used to cleave fusion proteins in vitro. DNA sequences encoding the endopeptidases and host cells transfected or transformed to express an endopeptidase are also disclosed.