A DNA fragment from Streptomyces fradiae increases the production of a metalloprotease in Streptomyces lividans.

ABSTRACT

Streptomyces fradiae produces several extracellular proteases and many of these are inducible. An 8·8 kb DNA fragment of Streptomyces fradiae cloned on pIJ699 caused increased protease activity in Streptomyces lividans. Clones carrying this recombinant plasmid showed a significant delay in sporulation. A protein of 18 kDa was purified from the extracellular proteins secreted by the host carrying the recombinant plasmid. Further characterization showed that this protease is a metalloprotease.