| abstract |
Transglutaminase having an enzymatic activity is produced by subjecting transglutaminase which is in a denatured state to a process involving at least the following steps (a) and (b): (a) the step of forming an intermediate structure, which shows the enzymatic activity in an aqueous medium under acidic conditions, of the denatured enzyme in the course of forming the structure; and (b) the step of forming a higher-order structure, which shows the enzyme activity in an aqueous medium at a pH value within the neutral region, of the enzyme having the intermediate structure in the course of forming the structure as described above. Thus, transglutaminase obtained in a denatured state (for example, one produced by a gene recombinant microorganism) can be efficiently refolded and, therefore, highly pure transglutaminase having an enzymatic activity substantially comparable to the activity of authentic transglutaminase (i.e., transglutaminase activity) can be industrially produced. The intermediate having the intermediate structure in the course of forming the structure as described above. |