Skip to Content
Merck
All Photos(1)

Key Documents

RPROTK-RO

Roche

Proteinase K, recombinant, PCR Grade

Lyophilizate from Pichia pastoris

Sign Into View Organizational & Contract Pricing


About This Item

Enzyme Commission number:
UNSPSC Code:
12352204
NACRES:
NA.21

Quality Level

form

lyophilized

specific activity

~2 units/mg protein

packaging

pkg of 100 mg (03115879001)
pkg of 25 mg (03115836001)
pkg of 2 × 250 mg (03115801001)
pkg of 4 × 250 mg (03115852001)

manufacturer/tradename

Roche

pH range

4.0-12.5

storage temp.

2-8°C

General description

Approximately 2.0 U/mg lyophilizate (2.5 U/mg protein) when assayed with the Chromozym assay (equivalent to 24 U/mg lyophilizate [30 U/mg protein] with the hemoglobin assay).
Proteinase K is a subtilisin-related serine protease. The recombinant enzyme is identical to the native protease originally isolated from the mold Tritirachium album. The specifications of the recombinant enzyme are the same as those of the native protease. The amino acid sequence (molecular weight) and the molecule structure are identical. However, the recombinant preparation is much purer than the native enzyme, as it is DNA-free that has no pronounced cleavage specificity. The enzyme is extremely effective on native proteins and can therefore be used to rapidly inactivate endogenous nucleases such as RNases and DNases. The enzyme is also available as a solution.

  • Inhibitors: The enzyme is inactivated by Pefabloc® SC. However, it is not inactivated by metal ions, chelating agents (e.g., EDTA), sulfhydryl reagents, or trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitors.
  • Activators: Proteinase K activity is stimulated by the presence of denaturing agents (SDS and urea).
  • pH Optimum: Proteinase K is stable over a wide pH range (4 – 12.5). The enzyme maintains full activity for several hours when incubated at a pH between 6.5 and 9.5.
  • Volume Activity:
Approximately 2.5 U/mg lyophilizate (chromozyme assay)
Approximately 30 U/mg lyophilizate (hemoglobin assay)

Note: SDS can increase the activity of Proteinase K as much as sevenfold.

Specificity

Proteinase K is one of the most active endopeptidases known and does not exhibit any pronounced cleavage specificity. Proteinase K cleaves proteins as follows: X-↓-Y, where X = aliphatic, aromatic, or hydrophobic amino acid, and Y = any amino acid. The enzyme can break down protein material into free amino acids when used in large excess and over long incubation periods.

Application

Proteinase K is one of the most active endopeptidases known. This PCR Grade Proteinase K is particularly suitable for isolating nucleic acids for amplification reactions, as well as:

  • The enzyme is extremely effective on native proteins and can therefore be used to rapidly inactivate endogenous nucleases such as RNases and DNases during nucleic acid isolation. This property makes Proteinase K particularly suitable for the isolation of native RNA and DNA from tissues or cell lines.
  • The enzyme promotes cell lysis by activating a bacterial autolytic factor.
  • Proteinase K is used for the analysis of membrane structures by modifying proteins and glycoproteins on cell surfaces.
  • Because the enzyme is tested for the absence of RNases and DNases, and is virtually free of DNA, it is especially suitable for isolating PCR and RT-PCR templates.
  • Proteinase K can also be used to remove cellular debris during the preparation of colony lifts, and to treat tissue sections to ensure efficient probe infiltration during in situ hybridization.

Features and Benefits

Proteinase K is a serine protease that has no pronounced cleavage specificity. It cleaves proteins between amino acids X and Y (X-↓-Y), when X = an aliphatic, aromatic, or hydrophobic amino acid, and Y = any amino acid. The enzyme is extremely effective on native proteins and can therefore be used to rapidly inactivate endogenous nucleases such as RNases and DNases.
  • Choose an effective tool for template preparation. Inactivate DNases and RNases of most species.
  • Count on consistent quality and performance. Stringent quality testing ensures optimal stability and high-level lot-to-lot performance.
  • Prepare samples over a wide range of conditions. The robust enzyme is stable over a wide pH range and is ideal for diverse applications.
  • Benefit from a contamination-free enzyme. The enzyme is tested for the absence of RNases and DNases, and is virtually free of DNA. It is especially suited for the isolation of PCR templates.

Note: The enzyme can reduce protein to free amino acids if it is present in large excess for long incubation periods.

Contents
Lyophilizate PCR Grade Proteinase K is also available in solution.

Quality

This preparation is free of RNases, DNases, and DNA, according to the current Quality Control procedures.

  • Absence of Nucleases: Each lot is tested on various substrates to ensure the absence of endonuclease, exonuclease, ribonuclease and nicking activity.
  • DNA content: =10 pg/mg enzyme (determined by Threshold)
  • Bioburden: <125 cfu/g (determined by the most stringent test from the European Pharmacopoeia, which identifies the total number of viable aerobic bacteria, yeast, and fungi)

Preparation Note

Activator: To stimulate Proteinase K activity, add denaturing agents (SDS and urea). For example, SDS can increase the activity of proteinase K as much as sevenfold compared with the activity exhibited in the absence of SDS.
Working solution: For best results, dissolve Proteinase K, recombinant, PCR Grade, in double-distilled water or Tris buffer. The best buffer for proteinase K will vary from application to application. Always follow the pH and temperature guidelines in parameter field. As a general rule, proteinase K is stable and very active in buffers that contain denaturing reagents such as urea, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), and guanidinium salts.
Storage conditions (working solution): -15 to -25 °C

Reconstitution

Reconstitution in double-dist. water at least up to 20 mg/ml

Other Notes

For life science research only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.
Lyophilizate PCR Grade Proteinase K is also available in solution.

Legal Information

Pefabloc is a registered trademark of Pentapharm

related product

Pictograms

Exclamation markHealth hazard

Signal Word

Danger

Hazard Classifications

Eye Irrit. 2 - Resp. Sens. 1 - Skin Irrit. 2 - Skin Sens. 1 - STOT SE 3

Target Organs

Respiratory system

Storage Class Code

11 - Combustible Solids

WGK

WGK 1

Flash Point(F)

does not flash

Flash Point(C)

does not flash


Certificates of Analysis (COA)

Search for Certificates of Analysis (COA) by entering the products Lot/Batch Number. Lot and Batch Numbers can be found on a product’s label following the words ‘Lot’ or ‘Batch’.

Already Own This Product?

Find documentation for the products that you have recently purchased in the Document Library.

Visit the Document Library

Emmanuel Tadjuidje et al.
Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.), 1865, 105-117 (2018-08-29)
We have taken advantage of the well-established oocyte host transfer technique to optimize a method for CRISPR editing of Xenopus that provides an efficient non-mosaic targeted insertion of small DNA fragment through homology-directed repair mechanism.
J Bajorath et al.
Biochimica et biophysica acta, 954(2), 176-182 (1988-05-18)
The activity of proteinase K (EC 3.4.21.14), a subtilisin-related serine proteinase, was assayed with azoalbumin that showed non-expected behavior in substrate saturation curve because of interaction between albumin molecules. Succinyl-(Ala)n-p-nitroanilide with n = 2 and 3, yielded specific activities of
Jordan Thomas et al.
Journal of virological methods, 263, 24-31 (2018-10-17)
HIV-1 infection cannot be cured due to the presence of the latent reservoir (LR). Novel cure or treatment strategies, such as "shock and kill" or therapeutic vaccination, aim to reduce or eradicate the LR. Cure strategies utilise robust DNA quantification
Poppy Datta et al.
Human molecular genetics, 29(14), 2337-2352 (2020-06-23)
Retinal degeneration is a common clinical feature of ciliopathies, a group of genetic diseases linked to ciliary dysfunction, and gene therapy is an attractive treatment option to prevent vision loss. Although the efficacy of retinal gene therapy is well established
Erik Van Dis et al.
PLoS pathogens, 18(7), e1010721-e1010721 (2022-07-26)
The prevailing model of protective immunity to tuberculosis is that CD4 T cells produce the cytokine IFN-γ to activate bactericidal mechanisms in infected macrophages. Although IFN-γ-independent CD4 T cell based control of M. tuberculosis infection has been demonstrated in vivo

Our team of scientists has experience in all areas of research including Life Science, Material Science, Chemical Synthesis, Chromatography, Analytical and many others.

Contact Technical Service