Purification of the autotransporter protein Hbp of Escherichia coli

The enzyme Hbp (hemoglobin protease) of the pathogenic Escherichia coli str ain EB1 has been purified to homogeneity by gel filtration chromatography. The purified protein is capable of binding heme and shows hemoglobin protea se activity. Our method of purification is applicable not only to Hbp but a lso to other autotransporter proteins and will contribute to a better under standing of the function-structure relationship of this family of proteins. (C) 2001 Federation of European Microbiological Societies. Published by El sevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.