Alpha-lytic protease is a bacterial homologue of the chymotrypsin family of serine proteases. The role of this unusually stable extracellular enzyme is to lyse microorganisms and proteolyse their contents to provide nutrients for the host bacterium. The enzyme preferentially cleaves Ala-|-Xaa, Val-|-Xaa in bacterial cell walls, elastin and other proteins. Belongs to the peptidase S1E family.
Defined by 5 residues: HIS:A-36 [auth A-57]ASP:A-63 [auth A-102]GLY:A-141 [auth A-193]SER:A-143 [auth A-195]SER:A-159 [auth A-214]