Purification of a 29-kDa hemocyte proteinase of Sarcophaga peregrina.

Previously, we suggested the participation of a hemocyte proteinase in the dissociation of fat body of Sarcophaga peregrina (flesh fly) at metamorphosis. We have now purified this proteinase to near homogeneity from pupal hemocytes. It is a cysteine proteinase with a molecular mass of 29 kDa and has a unique substrate specificity hydrolyzing both Suc-Leu-Leu-Val-Tyr-MCA and Z-Phe-Arg-MCA (Suc, succinyl; MCA, methylcoumaryl-7-amide; Z, carbobenzoxy), which are substrates for chymotrypsin and cathepsin B, respectively. Partial similarity was found between the amino-terminal sequence of this proteinase and that of cathepsin B, including Pro, Glu and Arg residues conserved in the papain superfamily of enzymes.