Characterization of collagenase found in the nonpathogenic bacterium VN3.

High collagenolytic activity has been detected in pathogenic bacteria. Collagenase plays an essential role in the invasion step in animals and humans. In this study, we characterized collagenase found in the nonpathogenic bacterium VN3, which was isolated from soil in Vietnam. The collagenase activity of the purified enzyme was strongly inhibited by Cu, but it was significantly increased by Zn. The purified enzyme with a molecular mass of approximately 110 kDa exhibited collagenolytic, gelatinolytic, and caseinolytic activity. The kinetic studies showed that this enzyme had greater hydrolyzing activity toward collagen and gelatin compared with casein. Based on the ratio / , collagen is likely to be the best substrate among three proteins. We found that this collagenase could digest small pieces of bovine skin and tendon into a collagen solution. Interestingly, at pH 6.0-8.0, the soluble collagen could form a collagen membrane, which is useful as a wound-healing biomaterial.