Alkaline Proteases from Patagonian Bacteria

Abstract

In addition to their ecological importance in the acquisition of nitrogenrich organic compounds, extracellular proteases also have interesting biotechnological applications. Particularly, alkaline proteases represent one of the most important groups of commercial enzymes. First, we introduce the classifi cation and catalytic mechanisms of proteases. Then, this chapter reviews the advances in the bioprospection of alkaline proteases produced by bacteria adapted to selective conditions from different environments of Patagonia (Argentina). Among them, the arid soils of the Patagonian Monte are propitious for the development of alkaliphilic microorganisms. Thus, we focus on the description of the species Bacillus patagoniensis and the biochemical and catalytic properties of its alkaline protease. Then, we discuss investigations about alkaline protease-producing bacteria from the southern Patagonian coast, the prevalence of psychrophilic and psychrotolerant strains, and the response of their extracellular proteases to temperature.