Structure and Cold-adaptation Mechanism of Trypsin Purified from the Krill (Euphausia superba Dana, 1852)

Abstract:

The molecular characterization of trypsin purified from Euphausia superba (Dana, 1852) was investigated in this research. Aspects such as thermodynamic activation parameters, sequence alignment, and molecular model allowed an in-depth understanding of its activity at low temperatures. Conserved residues were compared between cold-adapted trypsin and its warm-adapted counterparts, and the results showed that their active cores were almost identical. Strategies adopted by trypsin for molecular adaptation to low temperatures may be as follows. A higher proportion of hydrophobic residues and lower proportion of charged residues in the enzyme probably diminish the number of intramolecular interactions, resulting in improved structural flexibility. Increased number of loose random coils may also contribute to improve structural flexibility. Reduced steric hindrance is also a key factor that allows the substrate to easily access the active site, thus promoting the catalytic reaction.