Temperature-dependent activation of Bacillus brevis metalloprotease expressed in mesophilic Bacillus subtilis

When the Bacillus brevis secretory metalloprotease is expressed from the npr gene on a plasmid vector in the mesophile B. subtilis, grown at 37°C, the enzyme was found to be properly processed, but secreted into the culture medium in a low-active conformation. Secreted metalloprotease can by heat-treatment (70°C for 30 min) be converted into fully active enzyme.