Elastase

Pancreatic elastase (EC 3.4.21.36) is a serine proteinase with broad substrate specificity. It preferentially cleaves peptidebonds involving the carbonyl groups of amino acid residuesdevoid of or with small hydrophobic side chains, such as Gly, Val, Leu, Ile and particularly alanine⁽¹⁾. The wide specificity of elastase for aliphatic uncharged side chains explainsits ability to digest elastin, a protein rich in these structural elements.
Pancreatic elastase is used in protein sequencing studies, andin preparations for releasing cells from tissues⁽²⁾. http://www.serva.de/products/knowledge/061099.shtml