Proteinase K, Lyophilized

Proteinase K is a stable and highly reactive serine protease. Evidence from crystal and molecular structure studies indicates the enzyme belongs to the subtilisin family with an active-site catalytic triad (Asp39-His69-Ser224). It is stable in a broad range of environments: pH, buffer salts, detergents (SDS), and temperature. In the presence of 0.1-0.5% SDS, proteinase K retains activity and will digest a variety of proteins and nucleases in DNA preparations without compromising the integrity of the isolated DNA.

Proteinase K is typically used at a concentration of 50-100 μg/ml. It is active with or without the presence of SDS, urea, EDTA or various metal ions, but the activity of proteinase K can be increased by adding the denaturing agents and the structure of proteinase K can be stabilized by addition of Ca 2+. Proteinase K is inactivated by heating to 95°C for 10 minutes or using an inhibitor such as PMSF, AEBSF or DFP.