We report the initial characterization and expression of sfp2, a gene encoding a keratinolytic serine protease from Streptomyces fradiae var. k11. Recombinant SFP2 was expressed in and secreted from the yeast Pichia pastoris with a final yield of 78 mg/L (136.2 U/mL caseinolytic activity) after 25 h of induction. The recombinant enzyme was purified using by ammonium sulfate precipitation and gel filtration chromatography to electrophoretic homogeneity, which was appropriately glycosylated and had a molecular mass of 26.0 kDa. The purified recombinant SFP2 was characterized. The optimal pHs and temperatures of SFP2 for proteolysis of casein and keratin azure were pH 10.0, 60 degrees C, and pH 9.0, 55 degrees C, respectively. SFP2 activity was stable from pH 3.0 to pH 11.0. The enzyme activity was inhibited by Co2+ and Cr3+ and enhanced by Ni2+ and Cu2+. The K-m of 0.45 mmol/L and V-max of 19.84 mmol/min mg were calculated using N-succinyl-Ala-Ala-Pro-Phe-pNA as a substrate. We tested the activity of SFP2 with soluble and insoluble substrates; SFP2 was more specific for keratinous substrates compared with proteinase K and other commercial proteases. (c) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.