Microcystinase is a protease that selectively degrades microcystin, an extremely potent cyanotoxin that causes marine pollution and can lead to human and animal food chain poisoning. The enzyme is naturally produced by a number of bacteria isolated in Japan and New Zealand. As of 2012, the chemical structure of this enzyme has not been scientifically determined.[1]
The enzyme degrades the cyclic peptide toxin microcystin into a linear peptide, which is 160 times less toxic.[2] Other bacteria then further degrade the linear peptide.
References
^Dziga, Dariusz; Wladyka, Benedykt; Zielińska, Gabriela; Meriluoto, Jussi; Wasylewski, Marcin (Apr 2012). "Heterologous expression and characterisation of microcystinase". Toxicon. 59 (5): 578–86. doi:10.1016/j.toxicon.2012.01.001. PMID22326726.
.svg){kind=small}