Purification, Characterization, and Inhibitory Activity of Glassfish (Liparis tanakai) Egg High Molecular Weight Protease Inhibitor Against Papain and Cathepsin

Purification, Characterization, and Inhibitory Activity of Glassfish (Liparis tanakai) Egg High Molecular Weight Protease Inhibitor Against Papain and Cathepsin

Two protease inhibitors of 67 and 18 kDa, respectively, were purified from the eggs of glass fish, Liparis tanakai, by affinity chromatography and electro-elution method. The high molecular weight (HMW) protein was purified with a specific inhibitory activity, yield, and purity of 18.46 U/mg, 0.07%, and 131.86 fold, respectively, and was further characterized: Optimal temperature and pH for inhibitory activity of the HMW glassfish egg protease inhibitor were $40^{\circ}C$ and pH 6, respectively, and it was stable between $5^{\circ}C\;and\;50^{\circ}C$ in the pH range of 5-6 with maximal stability at pH 6. It was shown to be a competitive inhibitor against papain with an inhibition constant $(K_i)$ of 97.02 nM. Moreover, the 67 kDa protein inhibited cathepsin, a cysteine protease, more effectively than did an egg-white protease inhibitor. The HMW glassfish egg protease inhibitor was classified as a member of the family III (kininogen).