Open AccessExtracellular enzymes of mycobacteria
Author(s) -
Kannan K.B.,
Katoch V.M.,
Sharma V.D.,
Bharadwaj V.P.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6968.1987.tb02510.x
Subject(s) - extracellular , microbiology and biotechnology , protease , enzyme , biology , lipase , mycobacterium , ribonuclease , bacteria , biochemistry , genetics , rna , gene
Extracellular enzymes were studied in different mycobacteria using a plate substrate assay. All the pathogenic mycobacteria included in the study showed the presence of protease, while lipase, ribonuclease, mucinase and β‐lactamase could also be detected in some strains. In contrast, no protease was detected in the 3 saprophytic mycobacteria studied. DNase was not detected in any of the species studied. Thus, the demonstration of extracellular enzymes, in particular of protease, in mycobacteria may be relevant in understanding their role in pathogenicity.