聚乙二醇修饰对酶活性和稳定性的影响

经氰尿酰氯和对硝基苯碳酸酯活化过的甲氧基聚乙二醇分别用来对枯草杆菌蛋白酶进行化学修饰．修饰后的酶在水溶液和有机溶剂中均保持活性．酶在水溶液里的k_cat增加,K_m不变.酶对温度和pH的稳定性都显著升高,但最佳反应温度不变．     

纤维蛋白对尿激酶原激活纤溶酶原反应动力学的影响

反应体系中存在的纤维蛋白（fibrin）对尿激酶（UK）、scu-PA以及组织型纤溶酶原激活剂（t-PA）激活纤溶酶原（plasminogen）的反应有不同的作用：UK、t-PA激活plasminogen的反应可被反应体系中存在的fibrin所加强;fibrin对scu-PA激活plasminogen反应的动力学常数无明显影响;但对小分子质量scu-PA与单链抗体的嵌合分子激活plasminogen的反应起明显的抑制作用.为确定反应体系中存在的fibrin对scu-PA的K区插入突变体-InB激活plasminogen反应的影响,测定了在反应体系中存在fibrin的情况下的InB激活plasminogen反应的K_m^fibrin以及k_cat^fibrin.K_m^fibrin＝4.2 μmol·L^-1,远远大于无fibrin时的K_m＝0.379 μmol·L^-1,说明有fibrin存在时突变体InB与天然底物plasminogen的亲和性降低了.k_cat^fibrin＝0.107 s^-1,也远远大于无fibrin时k_cat＝0.0165 s^-1,说明有fibrin存在时突变体InB对plasminogen的反应活性增强了.原因可能是：与fibrin结合的plasminogen的构象发生了有利于被纤溶酶原激活剂水解的变化.     

类芽孢杆菌来源D-甘露醇氧化酶的性质及制备D-甘露糖的应用

D-甘露糖具有多种功能活性，在食品、医药、农业等行业应用广泛。D-甘露醇氧化酶可以高效地将D-甘露醇转化为D-甘露糖，在D-甘露糖的酶法制备中具有应用潜力。从类芽孢杆菌(Paenibacillus sp.) HGF5中发掘出一个D-甘露醇氧化酶(PsOX)，与天蓝链霉菌(Streptomyces coelicolor)来源的D-甘露醇氧化酶(AldO)氨基酸序列相似性为50.94%，分子量约为47.4 kDa，构建了重组表达质粒pET-28a-PsOX并在大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)中表达，PsOX对D-甘露醇的K_m、k_cat/K_m值分别为5.6 mmol/L、0.68 L/(s∙mmol)，最适pH和温度分别为7.0和35 ℃，在60 ℃以下保持稳定。PsOX对400 mmol/L D-甘露醇的摩尔转化率为95.2%。利用PsOX与AldO全细胞分别催化73 g/L D-甘露醇，PsOX反应9 h后反应完全，生成70 g/L D-甘露糖，相较于AldO具有更高的催化效率。PsOX作为新型D-甘露糖氧化酶为D-甘露糖的酶法制备提供了依据。     

灵芝UDP-葡萄糖4-差向异构酶酶学性质研究及其应用

【背景】灵芝多糖是灵芝的重要活性物质之一。UDP-葡萄糖4-差向异构酶（UDP-glucose 4-epimerase,UGE,EC 5.1.3.2）是灵芝多糖合成途径中糖供体生成的重要酶,其参与了UDP-葡萄糖与UDP-半乳糖的相互转化,与多糖中半乳糖残基含量密切相关。【目的】通过对来源于灵芝的UGE基因进行异源表达,丰富灵芝多糖糖供体合成途径重要酶的酶学特性信息,深入了解灵芝多糖代谢合成途径。【方法】以灵芝菌株（Ganoderma lingzhi） CGMCC 5.26的cDNA为模板,克隆得到UGE基因GL30389,并在Escherichia coli BL21（DE3）中诱导表达,产物纯化后进行酶学性质、酶动力学、底物专一性及转化率的研究。【结果】灵芝UGE的分子量为45 kDa。最适反应pH值为6.0,在pH 7.0—9.0范围内有较好的稳定性;最适反应温度为30℃,温度在40℃时稳定性最好。Fe²⁺和Mg²⁺对UGE有激活作用。以UDP-葡萄糖为底物时,K_m为0.824 mmol/L,V_max为769.230 μmol/（L·min）,k_cat为1.333 s^—1,k_cat/K_m为1.618 L/（mmol·s）。灵芝UGE对D-葡萄糖、半乳糖醛酸及N-乙酰葡萄糖胺有催化活性。通过优化pH、温度、底物与酶的配比、添加金属离子将转化率从16.0%提升至39.4%。【结论】灵芝UGE与植物来源的UGE酶学性质较为相似,其催化效率优于大部分细菌来源的UGE。本研究丰富了灵芝多糖糖供体合成途径重要酶的酶学特性信息,有利于深入了解灵芝多糖代谢合成途径。     

过氧化氢酶-无机杂化纳米花的制备及催化特性

过氧化氢酶(catalase,CAT)是一种在食品、医疗、纺织等领域广泛应用的工业酶,具有催化效率高、专一性强、绿色环保等突出特点。工业中游离过氧化氢酶无法回收再利用,导致以其为核心的工业生物转化过程成本较高。开发一种简单、温和、低成本并且体现绿色化学理念的方法对过氧化氢酶进行固定化有望提高其利用率并且强化酶学性能,具有迫切的现实需求。本研究将源自枯草芽孢杆菌(Bacillus subtilis)168的过氧化氢酶KatA在大肠杆菌中进行重组表达,之后将分离纯化得到的纯酶以酶-无机杂化纳米花形式制备成固定化酶并进行酶学性质研究。结果显示,利用乙醇沉淀、DEAE阴离子交换层析、疏水层析3步纯化,最终获得电泳纯的重组KatA,之后通过优化制备条件获得了一种新型KatA/Ca₃(PO₄)₂杂化纳米花固定化酶。酶学性质研究结果显示,游离酶KatA的最适反应温度为35℃,KatA/Ca₃(PO₄)₂杂化纳米花的最适反应温度为30−35℃,二者最适反应pH值均为11.0。游离酶KatA和KatA/Ca₃(PO₄)₂杂化纳米花在pH4.0−11.0和25−50℃条件下均表现出较好的稳定性。KatA/Ca₃(PO₄)₂杂化纳米花显示出比游离酶KatA更好的储存稳定性,在4℃储存14d后仍保留82%的酶活力,而游离酶仅具有50%的酶活力。此外,纳米花在进行5次催化反应后仍具有55%的酶活力,表明其具有较好的操作稳定性。动力学研究结果显示,游离酶KatA对底物过氧化氢的K_m为(8.80±0.42)mmol/L,k_cat/K_m为(13151.53±299.19)L/(mmol·s);而KatA/Ca₃(PO₄)₂杂化纳米花的K_m为(32.75±2.96)mmol/L,k_cat/K_m为(4550.67±107.51)L/(mmol·s)。与游离酶KatA相比,KatA/Ca₃(PO₄)₂杂化纳米花对底物过氧化氢的亲和力下降,同时其催化效率也有所降低。综上所述,本研究以Ca²⁺作为自组装诱导剂,成功将KatA以酶-无机杂化纳米花形式制备成固定化酶,不仅对部分酶学性能实现了强化,而且为固定化过氧化氢酶的绿色制备和规模化应用奠定了基础。     

恶臭假单胞菌SJTE-1中转化17β-雌二醇的3-酰基-ACP还原酶的鉴定与功能研究

[目的]假单胞菌SJTE-1可高效转化17β-雌二醇,但是催化该转化的酶尚不清楚。本文鉴定了该菌株的一个新的3-酮酰基-ACP还原酶（ANI01589.1）,并对其进行了功能研究。[方法]首先,我们克隆了该3-酰基-ACP还原酶的编码基因,在大肠杆菌BL21（DE3）菌株中进行了异源表达;利用金属离子亲和层析法,纯化获得了重组蛋白。体外检测了重组蛋白的活性与酶学性质,并利用高效液相色谱法（HPLC）测定了该酶的催化产物。[结果]3-酮酰基-ACP还原酶可被17β-雌二醇诱导表达,重组蛋白纯化量可达19.6 mg/L。蛋白序列比对结果表明,该蛋白包含短链脱氢酶/还原酶（SDR）的2个共有区域和多个保守残基。该酶以NAD⁺为辅助因子,将17β-雌二醇转化为雌酮;其K_m值为0.071 mmol/L,k_cat值为2.4±0.06/s^-1,5 min内可转化超过95.8%的雌二醇。该酶的最佳反应温度为42℃,最佳pH为8.0。不同二价离子对该酶的活性影响不同,Mg²⁺和Mn²⁺可增强其酶活性。[结论]这一假单胞菌SJTE-1来源的3-酮酰基-ACP还原酶可高效催化17β-雌二醇的转化,该酶可能在该菌株的雌激素代谢过程中起到重要作用。     

融合自组装双亲短肽对重组过氧化氢酶酶学性质的影响

[目的]利用融合自组装双亲短肽策略对源自枯草芽孢杆菌(Bacillus subtilis)的过氧化氢酶KatA进行改性,以强化重组过氧化氢酶在工业中的应用适应性。[方法]将自组装双亲短肽S1vw通过连接肽PT-linker融合在KatA的N端,构建重组质粒pHT254-S1vw-PT-katA,将其与携带天然酶基因的pHT254-katA分别转入枯草芽孢杆菌WB800N中进行分泌表达,之后将分离纯化得到的纯酶进行酶学性质研究。[结果]成功构建出工程菌并将胞外粗酶液通过乙醇沉淀、DEAE阴离子交换层析、疏水层析和凝胶过滤层析4步纯化,最终获得电泳纯的重组酶蛋白。酶学性质研究结果显示,融合酶S1vw-PT-KatA和天然酶KatA的最适反应温度均为30℃,最适反应pH值均为11.0。然而,融合酶在pH 12.0下孵育30 min的相对酶活为77.3%,是相同处理条件下天然酶相对酶活的14.9倍,在65℃和70℃下孵育30 min的相对酶活分别为19.8%和17.5%,是相同处理条件下天然酶相对酶活的1.8倍和1.7倍。此外,融合酶在4℃储存14 d后相对酶活为88.6%,而天然酶仅具有44.3%的相对酶活。同时,融合酶的k_cat/K_m提高到天然酶的2.3倍。[结论]融合自组装双亲短肽S1vw提高了重组过氧化氢酶KatA的pH稳定性、温度稳定性、储存稳定性和催化效率,不仅获得了催化效率和应用适应性改良的重组酶蛋白,为针对过氧化氢酶的进一步分子改造提供了策略参考和实验依据,而且促进了其在工业上的规模化制备和应用。     

Characterization of the catalytically active Mn(II)-loaded argE -encoded N -acetyl-l -ornithine deacetylase from Escherichia coli

The catalytically competent Mn(II)-loaded form of the argE-encoded N-acetyl-l-ornithine deacetylase from Escherichia coli (ArgE) was characterized by kinetic, thermodynamic, and spectroscopic methods. Maximum N-acetyl-l-ornithine (NAO) hydrolytic activity was observed in the presence of one Mn(II) ion with k _cat and K _m values of 550 s⁻¹ and 0.8 mM, respectively, providing a catalytic efficiency (k _cat/K _m) of 6.9 × 10⁵ M⁻¹ s⁻¹. The ArgE dissociation constant (K _d) for Mn(II) was determined to be 0.18 μM, correlating well with a value obtained by isothermal titration calorimetry of 0.30 μM for the first metal binding event and 5.3 μM for the second. An Arrhenius plot of the NAO hydrolysis for Mn(II)-loaded ArgE was linear from 15 to 55 °C, suggesting the rate-limiting step does not change as a function of temperature over this range. The activation energy, determined from the slope of this plot, was 50.3 kJ mol⁻¹. Other thermodynamic parameters were ΔG ^‡ = 58.1 kJ mol⁻¹, ΔH ^‡ = 47.7 kJ mol⁻¹, and ΔS ^‡ = –34.5 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹. Similarly, plots of lnK _m versus 1/T were linear, suggesting substrate binding is controlled by a single step. The natural product, [(2S,3R)-3-amino-2-hydroxy-4-phenylbutanoyl]leucine (bestatin), was found to be a competitive inhibitor of ArgE with a K _i value of 67 μM. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) data recorded for both [Mn(II)_(ArgE)] and [Mn(II)Mn(II)(ArgE)] indicate that the two Mn(II) ions form a dinuclear site. Moreover, the EPR spectrum of [Mn(II)Mn(II)(ArgE)] in the presence of bestatin indicates that bestatin binds to ArgE but does not form a μ-alkoxide bridge between the two metal ions.     

嗜热古菌Infirmifilum uzonense来源的双功能高温β-葡萄糖苷酶IuBgl3的原核表达及酶学性质分析

β-葡萄糖苷酶在食品、医药、生物质转化等领域具有重要的应用价值,因此发掘适应性强、性质优良的β-葡萄糖苷酶是国内外研究热点。本研究从嗜热古菌Infirmifilum uzonense中成功克隆出一个GH3家族的β-葡萄糖苷酶基因,命名为Iubgl3。基因序列分析显示Iubgl3全长为2109bp,编码702个氨基酸,理论分子量为77.0kDa。将该基因在大肠杆菌中进行克隆表达并对纯化后的IuBgl3进行酶学性质研究。结果显示,重组酶IuBgl3最适pH5.0,最适温度85℃。该酶具有良好的热稳定性,80℃处理2h后仍能保持85%以上的酶活力。其具有优良的pH稳定性,在pH4.0−11.0范围内处理1h,仍维持85%以上的酶活力。通过底物特异性测定发现,该酶对对硝基苯-β-d-吡喃葡萄糖苷(p-nitrophenylβ-d-glucoside,pNPG)和对硝基苯-β-d-吡喃木糖苷(p-nitrophenyl β-d-xylopyranoside,pNPX)均有很高的水解能力,是典型的双功能酶。以pNPG为底物时的动力学参数K_m和V_max分别为0.38mmol和248.55μmol/(mg·min),催化效率k_cat/K_m=6149.20s⁻¹mmol⁻¹。大多数金属离子对IuBgl3的酶活力没有显著影响,SDS可导致酶完全失活,而EDTA却能提高30%的酶活力。本研究丰富了高温古菌GH3家族的β-葡萄糖苷酶基因,获得了一个稳定性优良的高温酸性双功能酶,具有良好的工业应用前景。     

腾冲嗜热厌氧菌丙氨酸消旋酶底物通道氨基酸位点的功能

【目的】通过定点突变探究腾冲嗜热厌氧菌MB4中生物合成型丙氨酸消旋酶Tt Alr底物通道内氨基酸位点A172和S173的功能。【方法】利用定点突变PCR技术构建突变体,通过亲和层析法纯化酶蛋白,采用D-氨基酸氧化酶偶联法检测各突变蛋白的活性及其稳定性。【结果】通过定点突变PCR成功得到8个突变体,酶学特性分析发现,A172位点突变为丝氨酸(S)后酶蛋白的相对活性有所提升,但含有该位点突变的酶蛋白稳定性均大幅下降;S173位点突变为天门冬氨酸(D)后导致突变体蛋白的最适反应温度提升了15°C,半衰期大幅延长,但相对活性明显下降。【结论】丙氨酸消旋酶Tt Alr底物通道内A172和S173位点均是影响酶蛋白催化活性和稳定性的关键位点。     

Formulation of a Universal First-Order Rate Constant for Enzymatic Reactions

It is a common practice to employ k _cat[E]₀/K _m as a first-order rate constant for the analysis of an enzymatic reaction, where [E]₀ is the total enzyme concentration. I describe in this report a serious shortcoming in analyzing enzymatic reactions when k _cat[E]₀/K _m is employed and show that k _cat[E]₀/K _m can only be applied under very limited conditions. I consequently propose the use of a more universal first-order rate constant, k _cat[ES]_K/[S]₀, where [ES]_K is the initial equilibrium concentration of the ES-complex derived from [E]₀, [S]₀ and K _m. Employing k _cat[ES]_K/[S]₀ as the first-order rate constant enables all enzymatic reactions to be reasonably simulated under a wide range of conditions, and the catalytic and binding contributions to the rate constant of any enzyme can be determined under any and all conditions.     

Directed evolution of a Bacillus chitinase

Chitinases have potential in various industrial applications including bioconversion of chitin waste from crustacean shells into chito-oligosaccharide-based value-added products. For industrial applications, obtaining suitable chitinases for efficient bioconversion processes will be beneficial. In this study, we established a straightforward directed evolution method for creating chitinase variants with improved properties. A library of mutant chitinases was constructed by error-prone PCR and DNA shuffling of two highly similar (99% identical) chitinase genes from Bacillus licheniformis. Activity screening was done in two steps: first, activity towards colloidal chitin was screened for on culturing plates (halo formation). This was followed by screening activity towards the chitotriose analogue p-nitrophenyl-β-1,4-N, N'-diacetyl-chitobiose at various pH in microtiter plates. From a medium-throughput screening (517 colonies), we were able to isolate one mutant that demonstrated improved catalytic activity. When using p-nitrophenyl-β-1,4-N, N'-diacetyl-chitobiose as substrate, the overall catalytic efficiency, k_cat/K_m of the improved chitinase was 2.7- and 2.3-fold higher than the average k_cat/K_m of wild types at pH 3.0 and 6.0, respectively. The mutant contained four residues that did not occur in either of the wild types. The approach presented here can easily be adopted for directed evolution of suitable chitinases for various applications.     

Enhancement of the activity and alkaline pH stability of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Thermobifida fusca</Emphasis> xylanase A by directed evolution

Directed evolution has been used to enhance the catalytic activity and alkaline pH stability of Thermobifida fusca xylanase A, which is one of the most thermostable xylanases. Under triple screened traits of activity, alkaline pH stability and thermostability, through two rounds of random mutagenesis using DNA shuffling, a mutant 2TfxA98 with approximately 12-fold increased k _cat/K _m and 4.5-fold decreased K _m compared with its parent was obtained. Moreover, the alkaline pH stability of 2TfxA98 is increased significantly, with a thermostability slightly lower than that of its parent. Five amino acid substitutions (T21A, G25P, V87P, I91T, and G217L), three of them are near the catalytic active site, were identified by sequencing the genes encoding this evolved enzyme. The activity and stabilizing effects of each amino acid mutation in the evolved enzyme were evaluated by site-directed mutagenesis. This study shows a useful approach to improve the catalytic activity and alkaline pH stability of T. fusca xylanase A toward the hydrolysis of xylan.     

Directed evolution of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptomyces lividans</Emphasis> xylanase B toward enhanced thermal and alkaline pH stability

The thermal and alkaline pH stability of Streptomyces lividans xylanase B was improved greatly by random mutagenesis using DNA shuffling. Positive clones with improved thermal stability in an alkaline buffer were screened on a solid agar plate containing RBB-xylan (blue). Three rounds of directed evolution resulted in the best mutant enzyme 3SlxB6 with a significantly improved stability. The recombinant enzyme exhibited significant thermostability at 70°C for 360 min, while the wild-type lost 50% of its activity after only 3 min. In addition, mutant enzyme 3SlxB6 shows increased stability to treatment with pH 9.0 alkaline buffer. The K _m value of 3SlxB6 was estimated to be similar to that of wild-type enzyme; however k _cat was slightly decreased, leading to a slightly reduced value of k _cat/K _m, compared with wild-type enzyme. DNA sequence analysis revealed that eight amino acid residues were changed in 3SlxB6 and substitutions included V3A, T6S, S23A, Q24P, M31L, S33P, G65A, and N93S. The stabilizing effects of each amino acid residue were investigated by incorporating mutations individually into wild-type enzyme. Our results suggest that DNA shuffling is an effective approach for simultaneous improvement of thermal and alkaline pH stability of Streptomyces lividans xylanase B even without structural information.     

Cold adapted features of Vibrio salmonicida catalase: characterisation and comparison to the mesophilic counterpart from Proteus mirabilis

The gene encoding catalase from the psychrophilic marine bacterium Vibrio salmonicida LFI1238 was identified, cloned and expressed in the catalase-deficient Escherichia coli UM2. Recombinant catalase from V. salmonicida (VSC) was purified to apparent homogeneity as a tetramer with a molecular mass of 235 kDa. VSC contained 67% heme b and 25% protoporphyrin IX. VSC was able to bind NADPH, react with cyanide and form compounds I and II as other monofunctional small subunit heme catalases. Amino acid sequence alignment of VSC and catalase from the mesophilic Proteus mirabilis (PMC) revealed 71% identity. As for cold adapted enzymes in general, VSC possessed a lower temperature optimum and higher catalytic efficiency (k _cat/K _m) compared to PMC. VSC have higher affinity for hydrogen peroxide (apparent K _m) at all temperatures. For VSC the turnover rate (k _cat) is slightly lower while the catalytic efficiency is slightly higher compared to PMC over the temperature range measured, except at 4°C. Moreover, the catalytic efficiency of VSC and PMC is almost temperature independent, except at 4°C where PMC has a twofold lower efficiency compared to VSC. This may indicate that VSC has evolved to maintain a high efficiency at low temperatures.     

克氏梭菌硫解酶的鉴定及其功能研究

【目的】硫解酶是梭菌属微生物合成短中链脂肪酸的关键酶。克氏梭菌(Clostridium kluyveri)具有3个高度同源的硫解酶编码基因,对这3个基因的功能鉴定是解析克氏梭菌高己酸合成能力的关键。【方法】通过发酵动力学分析确定克氏梭菌的己酸和丁酸生成动力学特征;转录组测序结合反转录-荧光定量RCR分析克氏梭菌3个硫解酶编码基因的表达水平和时序表达特征;在大肠杆菌中异源表达这3个硫解酶,并对其硫解酶动力学参数进行测定。【结果】克氏梭菌生成丁酸、己酸、辛酸,其中己酸为主要代谢产物;转录组数据显示,在乙酸消耗完全之前,thlA1基因维持恒定表达,thlA2基因表达时序上调,thlA3基因表达时序下调,转录组测序表明3个硫解酶编码基因均具有较高水平的转录活性,thlA2和thlA3的最高表达量分别约为thlA1的29%和43%;硫解酶动力学参数测定结果表明,克氏梭菌3个硫解酶对于四碳底物均显示出相似的底物亲和力(K_m),但ThlA1对四碳底物的催化效率(k_(cat)/K_m)略低于ThlA2和ThlA3。【结论】克氏梭菌的3个硫解酶均具有催化活性,在克氏梭菌体内均呈活跃表达,表明克氏梭菌拥有3个具有催化活性的硫解酶,这为后续深入研究克氏梭菌己酸合成机理奠定了基础。     

丙氨酸消旋酶C-端结构域重组体的构建及其功能初探

【目的】将嗜碱芽孢杆菌丙氨酸消旋酶OF4DadX的N-端结构域分别与多个不同种属的丙氨酸消旋酶C-端结构域重组,探究丙氨酸消旋酶C-端结构域功能。【方法】利用基因拼接构建丙氨酸消旋酶重组基因,通过镍亲和层析纯化酶蛋白,采用D-氨基酸氧化酶偶联法检测重组酶蛋白的酶学特性,借助分子筛和HPLC液相色谱分析其聚合状态及动力学参数。【结果】通过基因拼接构建了12个重组基因,经检测,表达、纯化获得的重组酶蛋白中只有OF4TtDadX240c具有催化活性,其活性仅为OF4DadX的60.54%,酶催化动力学结果显示OF4TtDadX240c催化反应速率Vmax/Km下降约10倍,但其稳定性大幅提高,半衰期比OF4DadX延长约5倍,耐热性提高较明显;聚合状态表明OF4DadX、OF4TMDadX226c和OF4TtDadX240c为二聚体结构,其他酶蛋白均为单体,但OF4TMDadX226c未检测到活性,推测可能是酶催化活性中心移位,未能形成质子转移而失去活性。【结论】丙氨酸消旋酶C-端折叠结构域对消旋酶低聚化、稳定性和酶催化功能具有重要作用。     

Inter‐conversion of catalytic abilities in a bifunctional carboxyl/feruloyl‐esterase from earthworm gut metagenome

Carboxyl esterases (CE) exhibit various reaction specificities despite of their overall structural similarity. In present study we have exploited functional metagenomics, saturation mutagenesis and experimental protein evolution to explore residues that have a significant role in substrate discrimination. We used an enzyme, designated 3A6, derived from the earthworm gut metagenome that exhibits CE and feruloyl esterase (FAE) activities with p-nitrophenyl and cinnamate esters, respectively, with a [(k_cat/K_m)]_CE/[(k_cat/K_m)]_FAE factor of 17. Modelling-guided saturation mutagenesis at specific hotspots (Lys²⁸¹, Asp²⁸², Asn³¹⁶ and Lys³¹⁷) situated close to the catalytic core (Ser¹⁴³/Asp²⁷³/His³⁰⁵) and a deletion of a 34-AA–long peptide fragment yielded mutants with the highest CE activity, while cinnamate ester bond hydrolysis was effectively abolished. Although, single to triple mutants with both improved activities (up to 180-fold in k_cat/K_m values) and enzymes with inverted specificity ((k_cat/K_m)_CE/(k_cat/K_m)_FAE ratio of ∼0.4) were identified, no CE inactive variant was found. Screening of a large error-prone PCR-generated library yielded by far less mutants for substrate discrimination. We also found that no significant changes in CE activation energy occurs after any mutation (7.3 to −5.6 J mol⁻¹), whereas a direct correlation between loss/gain of FAE function and activation energies (from 33.05 to −13.7 J mol⁻¹) was found. Results suggest that the FAE activity in 3A6 may have evolved via introduction of a limited number of ‘hot spot’ mutations in a common CE ancestor, which may retain the original hydrolytic activity due to lower restrictive energy barriers but conveys a dynamic energetically favourable switch of a second hydrolytic reaction.     

3-Methylglutaconyl-CoA hydratase from Acinetobacter sp

Acinetobacter strain IVS-B aerobically grows on isovalerate as sole carbon and energy source. Isovalerate is metabolised via isovaleryl-CoA, an intermediate of the oxidative (S)-leucine degradation pathway. A 3-methylglutaconyl-CoA hydratase (EC 4.2.1.18) was purified 65-fold to apparent homogeneity from cell-free extracts of isovalerate-grown cells of Acinetobacter strain IVS-B. The enzyme was found to be a homotetramer (115.2 kDa) composed of four identical subunits of 28.8 kDa not containing any cofactors. The enzyme was shown to catalyse the hydration of (E)-glutaconyl-CoA (k _cat=18 s⁻¹, K _m=40 μM) and the dehydration of (S)-3-hydroxyglutaryl-CoA (k _cat=13 s⁻¹, K _m=52 μM), albeit with somewhat lower catalytic efficiencies as compared to the 3-methyl derivatives, 3-methylglutaconyl-CoA (k _cat=138 s⁻¹, K _m=14 μM) and (S)-3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA (k _cat=60 s⁻¹, K _m=36 μM). Thus, the mechanistically simple syn-addition of water to the (E)-isomer of 3-methylglutaconyl-CoA of the leucine degradative pathway leading to the common intermediate (S)-3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA was assigned as the major physiological role to this enzyme. The amino acid sequence of 3-methylglutaconyl-CoA hydratase from Acinetobacter sp. was found to be related to over 100 prokaryotic enoyl-CoA hydratases (up to 50% identity), possibly all being 3-methylglutaconyl-CoA hydratases.An erratum to this article can be found at     

Engineering of a bacterial tyrosinase for improved catalytic efficiency towards D‐tyrosine using random and site directed mutagenesis approaches

The tyrosinase gene from Ralstonia solanacearum (GenBank NP518458) was subjected to random mutagenesis resulting in tyrosinase variants (RVC10 and RV145) with up to 3.2‐fold improvement in k_cat, 5.2‐fold lower K_m and 16‐fold improvement in catalytic efficiency for D ‐tyrosine. Based on RVC10 and RV145 mutated sequences, single mutation variants were generated with all variants showing increased k_cat for D ‐tyrosine compared to the wild type (WT). All single mutation variants based on RV145 had a higher k_cat and K_m value compared to the RV145 and thus the combination of four mutations in RV145 was antagonistic for turnover, but synergistic for affinity of the enzyme for D ‐tyrosine. Single mutation variant 145_V153A exhibited the highest (6.9‐fold) improvement in k_cat and a 2.4‐fold increase in K_m compared to the WT. Two single mutation variants, C10_N322S and C10_T183I reduced the K_m up to 2.6‐fold for D ‐tyrosine but one variant 145_V153A increased the K_m 2.4‐fold compared to the WT. Homology based modeling of R. solanacearum tyrosinase showed that mutation V153A disrupts the van der Waals interactions with an α‐helix providing one of the conserved histidine residues of the active site. The k_cat and K_m values for L ‐tyrosine decreased for RV145 and RVC10 compared to the WT. RV145 exhibited a 2.1‐fold high catalytic efficiency compared to the WT which is a 7.6‐fold lower improvement compared to D ‐tyrosine. RV145 exhibited a threefold higher monophenolase:diphenolase activity ratio for D ‐tyrosine:D ‐DOPA and a 1.4‐fold higher L ‐tyrosine:L ‐DOPA activity ratio compared to the WT. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2013; 110: 1849–1857. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.