Thermolysin is a thermostable metalloproteinase. The high digestion temperatures may be used as an alternative to denaturants to improve digestion of proteolytically resistant proteins. Thermolysin preferentially cleaves at the N-terminus of the hydrophobic residues leucine, phenylalanine, valine, isoleucine, alanine and methionine. The optimal digestion temperature range is 65–85°C. Thermolysin activity is optimal at pH 5.0–8.5.
Applications
Peptide mapping.
Protein identification.
Characterization of post-translational modifications.