Fractionation of proteolytic enzymes from sisal (Agave sisalanus) on deae-cellulose

• 1.

  1. Crude sisal extract has been fractionated into seven protein components by chromatography on DEAE-cellulose.

• 2.

  2. Each component was shown to be essentially homogeneous on rechromatography on DEAE-cellulose and on gel filtration on Sephadex G 100.

• 3.

  3. Five of the components were shown to have proteolytic activity toward casein and four had amidase activity toward α-benzoyl-l-arginine amide.

• 4.

  4. Four of the active components were found to be inhibited by metal binding agents and di-isopropylphosphorofluoridate.

• 5.

  5. None of the active components appeared to depend on a sulphydryl group for activity.

• 6.

  6. The components differed in their specific activities, pH optima, and molelcular weights as indicated by gel filtration on Sephadex G 100.