Stabilization of proteases from Bacillus subtilis in solution

: Experiments were carried out to study the effect of the styrene and maleinic acid copolymer on the activity of proteases produced by Bacillus subtilis--protosubtilin G15x. Unlike the hydrophilic ethylene--maleinic acid copolymer, styrenated maleinic acid produced a stabilizing effect on proteases via hydrophobic interaction. It is suggested that at least two forms of the enzyme differing in their activity and stability are involved in the process of inactivation. On the basis of the data obtained a scheme of protease inactivation is proposed.