Derivation of trypsin-like enzymes from Antarctic marine organisms

Abstract

Modern biotechnology provides continuous search for alternative sources of raw materials. The aim of this work was to isolate and characterize trypsin-like enzymes from tissues of Antarctic marine aquatic organisms (krill, starfish, nemertines). Trypsin fraction was obtained by column chromatography on benzamidine-Sepharose. Proteolytic activity in the resulting fraction was revealed. Analysis of protein fractions was performed by disc-electrophoresis in a 10% polyacrylamide gel. The presence of active hydrolases with different molecular weights in the tissues of aquatic organisms was demonstrated. Protein bands with molecular weights below 10-14 kDa may be trypsin-like enzyme fragments that were subjected to autolysis process.

Keywords

• marine organisms, trypsin-like enzymes