Development Finance Corporation of New Zealand

Development & Finance Limited

Zygem Corporation Limited

Roy M Daniel

Hugh W Morgan

David Saul

Christopher W Hickey

Graeme R Guy

Donald A Cowan

The present invention relates to thermostable proteinases from thermophilic Bacillus species and their uses in the preparation of nucleic acid samples. The enzymes of the invention are stable and active at 65-80&#xb0; C., but are readily autolysed or denatured above 90&#xb0; C.

Thermostable proteinases from thermophilic bacteria

The invention relates to an extremely thermophilic bacterium, Thermus T-351, and a thermophilic protease, Caldolysin, derived therefrom. The bacterium cells are Gram negative, non-sporulating rods. Its natural environment is a hot pool at 79.degree..+-.4.degree. C. The protease is stable at temperatures up to 75.degree. C. at a pH range of 4 to 12. It is most active at temperatures of 65.degree. C. to 85.degree. C. but retains at least some activity at lower temperatures.

Proteolytic enzyme

There is described a method of separating an asparaginase rich fraction from a thermophilic microoganism and then to divide this fraction into its D- and L-asparaginases. Substantially pure crystals of the D-asparaginase were obtained.

Stereospecific asparaginases

The invention relates to an extremely thermophilic bacterium, THERMUS T-351, and a thermophilic protease, CALDOLYSIN, derived therefrom. The bacterium cells are Gram negative, non-sporulating rods. Its natural environment is a hot pool at 79.degree..+-.4.degree. C. The protease is stable at temperatures up to 75.degree. C. at a pH range of 4 to 12. It is most active at temperatures of 65.degree. C. to 85.degree. C. but retains at least some activity at lower temperatures.

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Hamilton, New Zealand

Roy M Daniel