1Microbial Chemistry Research Foundation, Specified Research Promoting Group, Tokyo 141-0021, 2Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Faculty of Agriculture, Kagoshima University, Korimoto, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan
The bacterial strain 99-GP-2D-5 producing protease (E77) was isolated from Yatsuhigata tidal flat (Yatsuhigata) in Chiba Prefecture and its taxonomic classification was investigated in detail. From the result of molecular phylogenetic analysis based on base sequences of 16S rDNA, and amino acid analysis of the cell wall peptidoglycan, the bacterium was identified as an actinomycete of the genus Streptomyces. The optimal temperature and pH for enzyme activity were 70°C and 8, respectively. E77 could completely decompose Nemopilema nomurai Kishinouye under stable conditions (50°C and pH 8) within 60 min.