Involved in proteolysis and elastolysis (degradation of the host protein elastin). Has staphylolytic activity (degrades pentaglycine cross-links in cell wall peptidogylcan), preferring Gly-Gly-|-X substrates where X is Ala or Gly (PubMed:11179971). Enhances the elastolytic but not proteolytic activity of elastase (lasB) and elastolytic activity of other proteases (PubMed:2110137). Degradation of host elastin is likely to contribute to the pathogenicity of P.aeruginosa. While either His-317 or His-356 can abstract a proton in the hydrolysis reaction, the same residue performs both functions in a given catalytic cycle, with the other stabilizing the catalytic intermediate
"A substitution at His-120 in the LasA protease of Pseudomonas aeruginosa blocks enzymatic activity without affecting propeptide processing or extracellular secretion."Gustin J.K., Kessler E., Ohman D.E.J. Bacteriol. 178:6608-6617(1996)
Research Topic:Others
