The pH optimum is reported as 9.2. The enzyme activity is strictly dependent on Ca2+ and the pH optimum varies according to Ca2+ concentration.[1] The enzyme is therefore easily inacitvated by EDTA.
Source
This enzyme is the extracellular nuclease of Staphylococcus aureus. Two strains, V8 and Foggi, yield almost identical enzymes.[2] A common source is E.coli cells carrying a cloned nuc gene encoding Staphylococcus aureus extracellular nuclease (micrococcal nuclease).
Applications
Hydrolysis of nucleic acids in crude cell-free extracts.
Remove nucleic acids from protein preparation allowing for folding and structure-function studies.
References
^ Heins JN, Suriano JR, Taniuchi H, Anfinsen CB (1967). "Characterization of a nuclease produced by Staphylococcus aureus". J. Biol. Chem.242 (5): 1016–20. PMID 6020427.
^ Cusumano CL, Taniuchi H, Anfinsen CB (1968). "Staphylococcal nuclease (Foggi strain). I. Order of cyanogen bromide fragments and a "fourth" histidine residue". J. Biol. Chem.243 (18): 4769–77. PMID 5687719.
