Characterization and comparison of recombinant honeybee chymotrypsin-like protease (HCLPase) expressed in Escherichia coli and insect cells.

We previously found a novel chymotrypsin-like protease in honeybee, designated as HCLPase. The recombinant enzyme expressed in insect cells was produced and compared to that in Escherichia coli. Both enzymes showed equivalent molecular size and specificity. However, HCLPase produced in insect cells showed higher specific activity. The C-terminal cleavage sites of HCLPase were phenylalanine, leucine, and tyrosine residues.