RESUMO
PepX aminopeptidase from Streptococcus thermophilus ACA DC 0022, used in Greek Feta cheese manufacturing, was purified. PepX comprises two subunits of equal molecular mass estimated, using SDS-PAGE and native-PAGE electrophoresis, to be 86â¯kDa. The effects of high pressure processing (100-450â¯MPa, combined with 20-40⯰C) on purified PepX activity and structure were studied. Activation of the enzyme was observed after processing at 100-200â¯MPa and 20-30⯰C. More intense processing conditions led to enzyme inactivation. PepX HP-induced conformational changes were also investigated through application of Circular Dichroism spectroscopy (CD). Pressures up to 200â¯MPa resulted in a structurally molten globule-like state where PepX maintained its secondary structure but the tertiary structure was substantially affected and enzyme activity increased. Both secondary and tertiary structures were affected severely by higher pressures (450â¯MPa), which reduced enzyme activity.