NEW PROTEASES ABLE TO HYDROLYZE GLUTEN PEPTIDES AND PROTEINS AT ACIDIC PH, FROM THE ACTINOMYCETE ACTINOALLOMURUS

摘要

The invention relates to a new family of proteolytic enzymes having the ability to hydrolize at a p H between 3 and 8 gluten olygopeptides which are resistant to cleavage by gastric and pancreatic enzymes and whose presence in the intestinal lumen results in toxic effects. The enzymes have been identified as endopeptidases of the S8/S53 family and are produced by an Actinoallomurus strain. The object of the invention includes also methods for producing enzymes composition comprising the endopeptidases by cultivation of native Actinoallomurus strains, mutants thereof, or recombinant host cells comprising nucleic acids codifying for the endopeptidases. Said nucleic acids constitute a further object of the invention. The enzyme compositions comprising at least one endopeptidase of the invention are useful for the treatment and/or prevention of celiac sprue, dermatitis herpetiformis and any other disorder associated with gluten intolerance as ingredients of pharmaceutical formulations or as additives of foods and drinks.