Separation of proteases: old and new approaches.

All methods of protein separations can be applied to proteases. Some emphasis is put in this review on a powerful technique specific to proteases purification: cyclic peptide antibiotics may be seen as general affinity ligands for proteases. Also, some examples of affinity chromatography of proteases on ligands with narrower specificity are given. The special interest of hydrophobic interaction chromatography for proteases purification is discussed. The merits of immobilized dye chromatography for proteases purification and the interest in empirically screening many immobilized dyes, as well as several eluents are discussed.