Proteinase K

from yeast cells with cloned gene encoding Engyodontium album (Tritirachium album) endolytic protease

RNase is not detected in quality control procedure of incubation 40 µg Proteinase K with 2 µg RNA for 2 hours at 37°C. This preparation is considered as RNase and DNase free.

Each lot was tested to ensure the absence of Nucleases and DNA.

Proteinase K is a broad-spectrum serine protease originally isolated from fungus Engyodontium album. The protease was named “Proteinase K” for its ability to digest Keratin. Crystal and molecular structure studies suggest that the enzyme belongs to the subtilisin family characterized with a catalytic triad (Asp³⁹-His⁶⁹-Ser²²⁴) in active site. Proteinase K has no pronounced cleavage specificity and preferential cleavage site is the peptide bond adjacent hydrophobic amino acids.

Application:

Proteinase K is commonly used in molecular biology to remove protein contamination from preparations of highly native undamaged nucleic acid because it rapidly and effectively inactives nuclease that might degrade the DNA or RNA even in the presence of denaturing reagents.

Proteinase K is active in 1% Tritonä X-100 and fully active in 0.5% (w/v) SDS which denatures protein substrates to increase digestion rates. The enzyme works best at 50-200 ug/mL at pH 7.5-8.0, 37 °C and is usually denatured by subsequent phenol extractions. Incubation times vary from 30 minutes to 18 hours and proteinase K can auto-digest during long incubation.

Advantages of  Recombinant Proteinase K

The recombinant enzyme is a mutant to the native protease, which gains higher specific activity and yield as well as wider pH and temperature range . The large scale recombinant preparation has advantage in lot-to-lot consistency, superior purity and cost-efficiency. DNA-free nature of recombinant Proteinase K made it well-suited in isolating PCR and RT-PCR templates.

Enzyme activity will be reduced by 25% when calcium is removed by addition of EDTA. Enzyme activity will be reduced by 80% if the EDTA-Ca²⁺ complex is removed from the enzyme solution by gel filtration, while it can be partially restored by addition of excess Ca²⁺.

Caution: The Molecular Biology Grade lyophilized powder is NOT sterile.  Stock solution can be prepared as a 20-40 mg/ml in 20mM Tris-HCl buffer, sterilized using a 0.22 µm filter and supplied in 50% sterilized Glycerol to store in aliquots at wide temperature range from 24°C to -80°C. 

PES or PVDF membranes with low protein binding are recommended in sterile filtration.

We offer irradiation sterilization option to bulk quantity order. The Gamma irradiation procedure may cause slight enzyme activity loss. Please inquiry.

Enzyme solutions prepared as recommended maintain stable at room temperature for 12 months.

Dilution buffer recommended:  20mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.4;

Storage buffer: 20mM Tris-HCl, 50% Glycerol, pH 7.4.