PROTEOLYTIC-ENZYMES OF PATHOGENIC AND NONPATHOGENIC STRAINS OF ACANTHAMOEBA SPP

The aim of this work was biochemical characterization and classificati on of proteinases in pathogenic and non-pathogenic strains of Acantham oeba spp. The authors showed two proteinase (acid 35 kDa and alkaline 65 kDa) which could be separated electrophoretically. Acid proteinase was inhibited by serine proteinase inhibitors such as DIFP. The second enzyme which was active at alkaline pH, was enhanced by EDTA and inhi bited by iodoacetate (IAA) and (p-CMB) p-chloromercuribenzoate. These substances are known to inhibit cysteine type proteinases. The alkalin e proteinase was more distinctively active in pathogenic strains and b elongs to cysteine class (EC 3.4.22), whereas the acid proteinase was similar active in pathogenic and non-pathogenic strains and belong to serine class (EC 3.4.21).