Abstract
A method for detection, quantification, and characterization of protease activities present in the insect cell/baculovirus protein expression system was demonstrated. Proteases were found of 39, 44, and 52 kDa molecular weight. Enzymatic inhibitors (antipain, chymostatin, EDTA, pepstatin A), cofactors (e.g., ATP, Mg 2+ , Ca 2+ ), pH, and substrates (gelatin, β-galactosidase, bovine serum albumin) were varied to improve and characterize the activities.