Partial characterization of the extracellular keratinase from Microsporum canis

The extracellular keratinase of Microsporum canis released peptides from α-type fibrous protein and the membranous fraction isolated from human stratum corneum. Inhibition of the enzyme by phenylmethyl-sulfonylfluoride and its weak inhibition by N-ethylmaleimide and etheneglycol tetra-acetic acid indicated that it is probably a serine proteinase.