Thermitase

From WikiMD's Food, Medicine & Wellness Encyclopedia

Thermitase is a serine protease produced by the thermophilic fungus Thermoascus aurantiacus. This enzyme is known for its stability at high temperatures, making it a subject of interest in the field of biotechnology.

Structure[edit | edit source]

Thermitase is a monomeric enzyme, composed of a single polypeptide chain of 198 amino acids. The structure of thermitase is similar to that of other serine proteases, with a central beta-sheet surrounded by alpha-helices. The active site of the enzyme contains a catalytic triad of serine, histidine, and aspartic acid, which is characteristic of serine proteases.

Function[edit | edit source]

Thermitase functions as a protease, cleaving proteins at specific sites. The enzyme has a broad substrate specificity, and can cleave a variety of proteins. The activity of thermitase is optimal at high temperatures, with the enzyme retaining its activity even at temperatures above 60 degrees Celsius.

Applications[edit | edit source]

Due to its stability at high temperatures, thermitase has potential applications in various industrial processes that require high-temperature conditions. For example, thermitase can be used in the food industry for the hydrolysis of proteins, and in the detergent industry for the removal of protein stains.

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]



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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD