Protease K in fungi Pleurodontium albicans is a non-specific protein useful for routine digestion of proteins. Heterosexual serine protease.

Proteinase K remains active:
• Over a wide pH range (optimal activity is between 6.5 and 9.5)
• Under denaturing conditions (e.g. In the presence of SDS or urea)
• In the presence of metal chelating agents (e.g. EDTA)
• At relatively high temperatures (optimal digestion temperature is 65°C)

Applications:Removal of endogenous nucleases during preparation of DNA and RNA; preparation of tissue sections for in situ hybridization.

Performance and quality testing: Endodeoxyribonuclease and exodeoxyribonuclease assay; detect lack of RNase activity in liquid form.

Unit Definition: One mAnson unit is described as the amount of enzyme that releases 1 μmole of Folin-positive amino acid in one minute at 37°C using hemoglobin as substrate.