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proteinase K


Term: proteinase (or endopeptidase K)
Literally meaning: that enzyme which separates proteins
Origin: Anc Greek
+πρωτεΐνη/proteini(=protein) > πρώτος/protos(=first or of prime importance)
+(-άση)/(-asy)(=-ase) enzyme suffix added to the name of the substrate that the enzyme  hydrolyzes eg proteinase for protein or lipase for lipids
>διά-/dia-(=prefix denoting “through”, “apart” )
> δυο/dio(two) + στάσις/stasis(=halt) > ίστημι/histimi(=stand).
K from keratin > κέρας/keras(=horn) > (genitive): κέρατος/keratos
Coined/History
Proteinase K  was discovered in 1974 , in extracts of the fungus Engyontium album. The name K is derived from first letter of “keratin”  because proteinase K is able to digest native protein keratin.
Source
Ebeling W, Hennrich N, Klockow M, Metz H, Orth HD, Lang H (1974) Proteinase K from Tritirachium album Limber”. Eur. J. Biochem. 47 

Definition
Proteinase K is a protease that catalyzes the breakdown of proteins in sites of serine residues.  

1 comment:

  1. Proteinase K (PROK) is a serine protease with broad specificity towards aliphatic, aromatic and other hydrophobic amino acids. PROK has a molecular weight of 27,000 daltons and is Ca2+ dependent. It is not inactivated by metal ion chelating agents such as EDTA, sulfhydryl reagents, Proteinase K

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