[Isolation and primary characteristics of elastase from a clinical strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa]. / Poluchenie i pervichnaia kharakteristika élastazy iz klinicheskogo shtamma Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

The homogeneous preparation of elastase has been obtained from P. aeruginosa clinical strain. The molecular weight of the isolated enzyme is 33,000 daltons, and its isoelectric point is 6.8. Two media manufactured in this country (dialyzed bovine heart hydrolysate and a dried semisynthetic medium) ensuring good production of the enzyme have been proposed. The optimum time for the cultivation of the producer strain (30-40 hours) has been established. Elastase has been shown to be widely spread among P. aeruginosa clinical strains.

[Physico-chemical and biological characteristics of Pseudomonas aeruginosa elastase]. / Nekotorye fiziko-khimicheskie i biologicheskie kharakteristiki élastazy Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Elastase isolated from P. aeruginosa clinical strain hydrolyzes elastin, casein, hemoglobin, ovalbumin, gelatin, fibrin, collagen. The optimum pH ensuring the activity of the enzyme is 7.8-8.0. Elastase shows maximum stability at pH 6.6-9.0. Heating at 80 degrees C for 10 minutes results in its practically complete inactivation. Elastase is a highly radiosensitive enzyme. Chelating agents and zinc, cobalt, mercury ions suppress its activity. Sodium and ammonium chlorides selectively inhibit the elastolytic, but not proteolytic activity of the enzyme. Elastase shows pronounced dermonecrotic and keratolytic action.