Atlantic cod trypsins: from basic research to practical applications.

Atlantic cod trypsin I is an appropriate representative of the traditionally classified cold-adapted group I trypsins, and the recombinant form of cod trypsin Y is the only biochemically characterized member of the novel group III trypsins. Trypsin Y is adapted to lower temperatures than all other presently known trypsins. This review describes the basic characteristics of and practical uses for trypsins of Atlantic cod, as well as those of other organisms. Overexpression of the recombinant forms of cod trypsins I and Y in microorganisms is explained as well as the advantages of using site-directed mutagenesis to increase their stability toward autolysis and thermal inactivation. Trypsins appear to play a key role in the nutrition and development of marine fish. We discuss the potential use of cod trypsins as biomarkers to evaluate the nutritional status of cod larvae and describe the industrial applications of cod trypsin I and other trypsins.