Institute of Bio-Science & Technology, Shri Ramswaroop Memorial University, Lucknow Deva Road, Barabanki- 225003 U.P., India.
Department of Bioengineering, Integral University, Kursi Road Lucknow-226026, U.P., India.
Curr Protein Pept Sci. 2021 Oct 26;22(4):304-312. doi: 10.2174/1389203722666210215151952.
Enzymes are the biocatalysts synthesized by living organisms having high specificity, catalytic activity, and a broad range of applicability. One such biotechnologically relevant enzyme is keratinase with various industrial applications that capture a significant place in the enzyme market. It belongs to the proteolytic enzyme group that cleaves the highly stable and fibrous protein, keratin through hydrolysis. Keratins are hard-degrading fibrous proteins insoluble in natural solvents and water. It is frequently aggregated in nature and expressively present in the plumes, hair, nail, horn, skins, feet, etc. The broad range of microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes, have been accounted for producing keratinases with significant biotechnological applications. Successful application of this group of enzymes has been seen in various industries such as farming, laundry detergent, cosmetics, animal feed, pharmaceutical, leather, and textile. Moreover, they have found remarkable usability in environment friendly waste management also. This paper focuses on the structure, sources, and various applications of this industrially important enzyme.
酶是由生物体合成的生物催化剂，具有高度的特异性、催化活性和广泛的适用性。角蛋白酶就是一种具有重要生物技术应用的酶，它属于蛋白水解酶类，可以通过水解作用分解高度稳定的纤维蛋白角蛋白。角蛋白是一种难以降解的纤维状蛋白质，不溶于天然溶剂和水。它在自然界中经常聚集，并大量存在于羽毛、毛发、指甲、角、皮肤、脚等部位。许多微生物，如细菌、真菌和放线菌，都能产生具有重要生物技术应用价值的角蛋白酶。这组酶在农业、洗涤剂、化妆品、动物饲料、制药、皮革和纺织等各个行业都得到了成功的应用。此外，它们在环保废物管理方面也有显著的用途。本文重点介绍了这种工业上重要的酶的结构、来源和各种应用。
