SUBTILISIN Meaning and
Definition
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Subtilisin is a specialized enzyme belonging to the serine protease family, commonly derived from the bacterium Bacillus subtillis. It is highly efficient in catalyzing the hydrolysis of peptide bonds in proteins. Subtilisin possesses remarkable stability and remarkable resistance to high temperatures and denaturing agents, making it widely used in various industrial applications.
This enzyme exhibits a broad substrate specificity, allowing it to act on different types of proteins. It recognizes peptide chains and efficiently cleaves them into smaller fragments by breaking the peptide bonds. Subtilisin's mechanism of action involves the nucleophilic attack of a catalytic serine residue onto the peptide bond, resulting in the formation of a covalent acyl-enzyme intermediate.
Subtilisin finds uses in numerous industries, including the detergent industry, where it catalyzes the breakdown of protein stains like blood and egg. It is also utilized in the food and pharmaceutical industries for protein hydrolysis, biocatalysis, and peptide synthesis. Additionally, subtilisin is employed in the leather industry for dehairing and in molecular biology research for protein sequencing and modification studies.
Despite its widespread applications, subtilisin should be handled with care due to its potential allergenicity and irritant properties on skin and respiratory tracts. Proper safety precautions and regulations must be followed when working with this enzyme.
Common Misspellings for SUBTILISIN
Etymology of SUBTILISIN
The word "Subtilisin" has its etymology rooted in Latin and English. It is derived from the Latin word "subtilis", meaning "finely woven" or "delicate". In English, the suffix "-in" is added to enzymes to denote their status as proteins or enzymes. Therefore, "Subtilisin" refers to a protein or enzyme that exhibits refined or delicate properties.
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