Preparation and Purification of Recombinant Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 from Tenebrio molitor

Dipeptidyl peptidase 4is a unique proline-specific peptidase, capable to hydrolyze the bonds, formed by proline amino acid residue, cleaving dipeptides from N-terminus of peptides and proteins, containing this imino acid in P1 position. Recombinant dipeptidyl peptidase 4 from the insect Tenebrio molitor was prepared for the first time in the Pichia pastoris protein expression system; a method for its purification was proposed. The authenticity of the obtained recombinant enzyme was confirmed by mass spectrometry. The use of the obtained preparation of the T. molitor enzyme is promising for the hydrolysis of resistant to proteolysis proline-rich peptides and proteins, particularly for prolamins - the main storage proteins of cereal seeds, since they are not fully hydrolyzed by human digestive enzymes and cause autoimmune gastrointestinal celiac disease in the susceptible group of people.