Mechanism of chitosanase-oligosaccharide interaction: subsite structure of Streptomyces sp. N174 chitosanase and the role of Asp57 carboxylate.

We have investigated the mechanism of the interaction of Streptomyces sp. N174 chitosanase with glucosamine hexasaccharide [(GlcN)(6)] by site-directed mutagenesis, thermal unfolding, and (GlcN)(6) digestion experiments, followed by theoretical calculations. From the energy-minimized model of the chitosanase-(GlcN)(6) complex structure (Marcotte et al., 1996), Asp57, which is present in all known chitosanases, was proposed to be one of the amino acid residues that interacts with the oligosaccharide substrate. The chitosanase gene was mutated at Asp57 to Asn (D57N) and Ala (D57A), and the relative activities of the mutated chitosanases were found to be 72 and 0.5% of that of the wild type, respectively. The increase in the transition temperature of thermal unfolding (T(m)), usually observed upon the addition of (GlcN)(n) to chitosanase mutants unaffected in terms of substrate binding, was considerably suppressed in the D57A mutant. These data suggest that Asp57 is important for substrate binding. The experimental time-courses of [(GlcN)(6)] degradation were analyzed by a theoretical model in order to obtain the binding free energy values of the individual subsites of the chitosanases. A (-3, -2, -1, +1, +2, +3) subsite model agreed best with the experimental data. This analysis also indicated that the mutation of Asp57 affects substrate affinity at subsite (-2), suggesting that Asp57 most likely participates in the substrate binding at this subsite.     

Characterization of a Chitosanase from Aspergillus fumigatus ATCC13073

Chitosanase II was purified from the culture filtrate of Aspergillus fumigatus ATCC13073. The purified enzyme had a molecular mass of 23.5 kDa. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of chitosanase II was identical to those of other Aspergillus chitosanases belonging to glycoside hydrolase family 75. The optimum pH and temperature were pH 6.0 and 40 °C. Chitosanase II hydrolyzed 70% deacetylated chitosan faster than fully deacetylated chitosan. Analysis of the degradation products generated from partially N-acetylated chitosan showed that chitosanase II split GlcN-GlcN and GlcNAc-GlcN bonds but not GlcNAc-GlcNAc or GlcN-GlcNAc, suggesting that it is a subclass I chitosanase. It degraded (GlcN)(6) to produce (GlcN)(3) as main product and small amounts of (GlcN)(2) and (GlcN)(4). Reaction rate analyses of mono-N-acetylated chitohexaose suggested that the (+3) site of chitosanase II recognizes the GlcNAc residue rather than the GlcN residue of its substrate.     

Novel chitosanase from Streptomyces griseus HUT 6037 with transglycosylation activity

Streptomyces griseus HUT 6037 inducibly produced two chitosanases when grown on chitosan. To elucidate the mechanism of degradation of chitinous compound by this strain, chitosanases I and II of S. griseus HUT 6037 were purified and characterized. The purified enzymes had a molecular mass of 34 kDa. Their optimum pH was 5.7, and their optimum temperature was 60 degrees C. They hydrolyzed not only partially deacetylated chitosan, but also carboxymethylcellulose. Time-dependent 1H-NMR spectra showing hydrolysis of (GlcN)6 by the chitosanases were obtained for identification of the anomeric form of the reaction products. Both chitosanases produced the beta-form specifically, indicating that they were retaining enzymes. These enzymes catalyzed a glycosyltransfer reaction in the hydrolysis of chitooligosaccharides. The N-terminal and internal amino acid sequences of chitosanase II were identified. A PCR fragment corresponding to these amino acid sequences was used to screen a genomic library for the entire gene encoding chitosanase II. Sequencing of the choII gene showed an open reading frame encoding a protein with 359 amino acid residues. The deduced primary structure was similar to endoglucanase E-5 of Thermomonospora fusca, which enzyme belongs to family 5 of the glycosyl hydrolases. This is the first report of a family 5 chitosanase with transglycosylation activity.     

Isolation, purification, and enzymatic characterization of extracellular chitosanase from marine bacterium Bacillus subtilis CH2

A Bacillus subtilis strain was isolated from the intestine of Sebastiscus marmoratus (scorpion fish) that was identified as Bacillus subtilis CH2 by morphological, biochemical, and genetic analyses. The chitosanase of Bacillus subtilis CH2 was best induced by fructose and not induced with chitosan, unlike other chitosanases. The strain was incubated in LB broth, and the chitosanase secreted into the medium was concentrated with ammonium sulfate precipitation and purified by gel permeation chromatography. The molecular mass of the purified chitosanase was detected as 29 kDa. The optimum pH and temperature of the purified chitosanase were 5.5 and 60°C, respectively. The purified chitosanase was continuously thermostable at 40°C. The specific acitivity of the purified chitosanase was 161 units/mg. The N-terminal amino acid sequence was analyzed for future study.     

Characterization and kinetics of 45 kDa chitosanase from Bacillus sp. P16

An extracellular 45 kDa endochitosanase was purified and characterized from the culture supernatant of Bacillus sp. P16. The purified enzyme showed an optimum pH of 5.5 and optimum temperature of 60 degrees C, and was stable between pH 4.5-10.0 and under 50 degrees C. The Km and Vmax were measured with a chitosan of a D.A. of 20.2% as 0.52 mg/ml and 7.71 x 10(-6) mol/sec/mg protein, respectively. The enzyme did not degrade chitin, cellulose, or starch. The chitosanase digested partially N-acetylated chitosans, with maximum activity for 15-30% and lesser activity for 0-15% acetylated chitosan. The chitosanase rapidly reduced the viscosity of chitosan solutions at a very early stage of reaction, suggesting the endotype of cleavage in polymeric chitosan chains. The chitosanase hydrolyzed (GlcN)7 in an endo-splitting manner producing a mixture of (GlcN)(2-5). Time course studies showed a decrease in the rate of substrate degradation from (GlcN)7 to (GlcN)6 to (GlcN)5, as indicated by the apparent first order rate constants, k1 values, of 4.98 x 10(-4), 2.3 x 10(-4), and 9.3 x 10(-6) sec(-1), respectively. The enzyme hardly catalyzed degradation of chitooligomers smaller than the pentamer.     

Action pattern of Bacillus sp. no. 7-M chitosanase on partially N-acetylated chitosan.

The hydrolyzate of partially N-acetylated chitosan by Bacillus sp. No. 7-M chitosanase was separated by gel filtration on Bio-Gel P-2. Sugar compositions and sequences of the oligosaccharides were identified by exo-splitting with beta-GlcNase, fast atom bombardment mass spectroscopy, and proton NMR spectroscopy. In addition to chitooligosaccharides, (GlcN)2, (GlcN)3, and (GlcN)4, hetero-chitooligosaccharides such as (GlcN)2.GlcNAc.(GlcN)2, GlcN.GlcNAc.(GlcN)3, (GlcN)2.GlcNAc.(GlcN)3, and GlcN.GlcNAc.(GlcN)4 were detected. These results indicate that Bacillus sp. No. 7-M chitosanase is absolutely specific toward the GlcN.GlcN bonds in partially N-acetylated chitosan and at least three GlcN residues were necessary to the hydrolysis of chitosan by chitosanase.     

Identification and characterization of a novel polysaccharide deacetylase C (PdaC) from Bacillus subtilis

Cell wall metabolism and cell wall modification are very important processes that bacteria use to adjust to various environmental conditions. One of the main modifications is deacetylation of peptidoglycan. The polysaccharide deacetylase homologue, Bacillus subtilis YjeA (renamed PdaC), was characterized and found to be a unique deacetylase. The pdaC deletion mutant was sensitive to lysozyme treatment, indicating that PdaC acts as a deacetylase. The purified recombinant and truncated PdaC from Escherichia coli deacetylated B. subtilis peptidoglycan and its polymer, (-GlcNAc-MurNAc[-L-Ala-D-Glu]-)(n). Surprisingly, RP-HPLC and ESI-MS/MS analyses showed that the enzyme deacetylates N-acetylmuramic acid (MurNAc) not GlcNAc from the polymer. Contrary to Streptococcus pneumoniae PgdA, which shows high amino acid sequence similarity with PdaC and is a zinc-dependent GlcNAc deacetylase toward peptidoglycan, there was less dependence on zinc ion for deacetylation of peptidoglycan by PdaC than other metal ions (Mn(2+), Mg(2+), Ca(2+)). The kinetic values of the activity toward B. subtilis peptidoglycan were K(m) = 4.8 mM and k(cat) = 0.32 s(-1). PdaC also deacetylated N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) oligomers with a K(m) = 12.3 mM and k(cat) = 0.24 s(-1) toward GlcNAc(4). Therefore, PdaC has GlcNAc deacetylase activity toward GlcNAc oligomers and MurNAc deacetylase activity toward B. subtilis peptidoglycan.     

Chitosanase-catalyzed hydrolysis of 4-methylumbelliferyl beta-chitotrioside.

4-Methylumbelliferyl beta-chitotrioside [(GlcN)(3)-UMB] was prepared from 4-methylumbelliferyl tri-N-acetyl-beta-chitotrioside [(GlcNAc)(3)-UMB] using chitin deacetylase from Colletotrichum lindemuthianum, and hydrolyzed by chitosanase from Streptomyces sp. N174. The enzymatic deacetylation of (GlcNAc)(3)-UMB was confirmed by (1)H-NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. When the (GlcN)(3)-UMB obtained was incubated with chitosanase, the fluorescence intensity at 450 nm obtained by excitation at 360 nm was found to increase with proportion to the reaction time. The rate of increase in the fluorescence intensity was proportional to the enzyme concentration. This indicates that chitosanase hydrolyzes the glycosidic linkage between a GlcN residue and UMB moiety releasing the fluorescent UMB molecule. Since (GlcN)(3) itself cannot be hydrolyzed by the chitosanase, (GlcN)(3)-UMB is considered to be a useful low molecular weight substrate for the assay of chitosanase. The k(cat) and K(m) values obtained for the substrate (GlcN)(3)-UMB were determined to be 8.1 x 10(-5) s(-1) and 201 microM, respectively. From TLC analysis of the reaction products, the chitosanase was found to hydrolyze not only the linkages between a GlcN residue and UMB moiety, but also the linkages between GlcN residues. Nevertheless, the high sensitivity of the fluorescence detection of the UMB molecule would enable a more accurate determination of kinetic constants for chitosanases.     

Recognition of chitooligosaccharides and their N-acetyl groups by putative subsites of chitin deacetylase from a deuteromycete, Colletotrichum lindemuthianum

The reaction pattern of an extracellular chitin deacetylase from a Deuteromycete, Colletotrichum lindemuthianum ATCC 56676, was investigated by use of chitooligosaccharides [(GlcNAc)(n)(), n = 3-6] and partially N-deacetylated chitooligosaccharides as substrates. When 0.5% of (GlcNAc)(n)() was deacetylated, the corresponding monodeacetylated products were initially detected without any processivity, suggesting the involvement of a multiple-chain mechanism for the deacetylation reaction. The structural analysis of these first-step products indicated that the chitin deacetylase strongly recognizes a sequence of four N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (GlcNAc) residues of the substrate (the subsites for the four GlcNAc residues are defined as -2, -1, 0, and +1, respectively, from the nonreducing end to the reducing end), and the N-acetyl group in the GlcNAc residue positioned at subsite 0 is exclusively deacetylated. When substrates of a low concentration (100 microM) were deacetylated, the initial deacetylation rate for (GlcNAc)(4) was comparable to that of (GlcNAc)(5), while deacetylation of (GlcNAc)(3) could not be detected. Reaction rate analyses of partially N-deacetylated chitooligosaccharides suggested that subsite -2 strongly recognizes the N-acetyl group of the GlcNAc residue of the substrate, while the deacetylation rate was not affected when either subsite -1 or +1 was occupied with a D-glucosamine residue instead of GlcNAc residue. Thus, the reaction pattern of the chitin deacetylase is completely distinct from that of a Zygomycete, Mucor rouxii, which produces a chitin deacetylase for accumulation of chitosan in its cell wall.     

Elucidation of exo-beta-D-glucosaminidase activity of a family 9 glycoside hydrolase (PBPRA0520) from Photobacterium profundum SS9

A glycoside hydrolase (GH) gene from Photobacterium profundum SS9 (PBPRA0520) belonging to GH family 9 was expressed in Escherichia coli. The protein was expressed with the intact N-terminal sequence, suggesting that it is an intracellular enzyme. The recombinant protein showed hydrolytic activity toward chitobiose [(GlcN)(2)] and cellobiose (CG(2)) in various disaccharides. This protein also released 4-nitrophenol (PNP) from both 4-nitrophenyl-β-D-glucosaminide (GlcN-PNP) and 4-nitrophenyl-β-D-glucoside (Glc-PNP). The hydrolytic pattern observed in chitooligosaccharides and cellooligosaccharides suggested that the reaction proceeded from the nonreducing end in an exo-type manner. Time-dependent (1)H-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis of the anomeric form of the enzymatic reaction products indicated that the protein is an inverting enzyme. k(cat)/K(m) of (GlcN)(2) hydrolysis was 14 times greater than that of CG(2) hydrolysis. These results suggested that the protein is an exo-β-D-glucosaminidase (EC 3.2.1.165) rather than a glucan 1,4-β-D-glucosidase (EC 3.2.1.74). Based on the results, we suggest that the function of conserved GH9 proteins in the chitin catabolic operon is to cleave a (GlcN)(2)-phosphate derivative by hydrolysis during intracellular chitooligosaccharide catabolism in Vibrionaceae.     

Comparative studies on extracellular penicillinases of the same structural gene, penP, expressed in Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus subtilis

Extracellular penicillinases produced by Bacillus licheniformis ATCC 9945A and Bacillus subtilis from the same structural gene, penP, were compared. The two strains secreted the same exo-large penicillinase (mol. wt, 305000; isoelectric point, pI = 5.00-5.04; NH2-terminal amino acid, Ser). In contrast, the exo-small enzyme from Bacillus subtilis (mol. wt, 29500; pI = 5.00-5.04; NH2-terminal amino acid, Glu or Asn) was slightly different from that of Bacillus licheniformis (mol. wt, 29500; pI = 5.13; NH2-terminal amino acid, Lys). The difference in the NH2-terminal residue is most probably due to differences in degradation by host-specific proteolytic enzymes.     

Purification and characterization of a fructosyltransferase from onion bulbs and its key role in the synthesis of fructo-oligosaccharides in vivo

A fructosyltransferase that transfers the terminal (2 --> 1)-beta-linked D-fructosyl group of fructo-oligosaccharides (1(F)(1-beta-D-fructofuranosyl)(n) sucrose, n >/= 1) to HO-6 of the glucosyl residue and HO-1 of the fructosyl residue of similar saccharides (1(F)(1-beta-D-fructofuranosyl)(m) sucrose, m >/= 0) has been purified from an extract of the bulbs of onion (Allium cepa). Successive column chromatography using DEAE-Sepharose CL-6B, Toyopearl HW65, Toyopearl HW55, DEAE-Sepharose CL-6B (2nd time), Sephadex G-100, Concanavalin A Sepharose, and Toyopearl HW-65 (2nd time) were applied for protein purification. The general properties of the enzyme, were as follows: molecular masses of 66 kDa (gel filtration chromatography), and of 52 kDa and 25 kDa (SDS-PAGE); optimum pH of c. 5.68, stable at 20-40 degrees C for 15 min; stable in a range of pH 5.30-6.31 at 30 degrees C for 30 min, inhibited by Hg(2+), Ag(+), p-chloromercuribenzoic acid (p-CMB) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), activated by sodium deoxycholate, Triton X-100 and Tween-80. The amino acid sequence of the N-terminus moiety of the 52-kDa polypeptide was ADNEFPWTNDMLAWQRCGFHFRTVRNYMNDPSGPMYYKGWYHLFYQHNKDFAYXG and the amino acid sequence from the N-terminus of the 25-kDa polypeptide was ADVGYXCSTSGGAATRGTLGPFGLL VLANQDLTENTATYFYVSKGTDGALRTHFCQDET. The enzyme tentatively classified as fructan: fructan 6(G)-fructosyltransferase (6G-FFT). The enzyme is proposed to play an important role in the synthesis of inulin and inulinneo-series fructo-oligosaccharides in onion bulbs.     

Purification and characterization of a novel chitinase from Burkholderia cepacia strain KH2 isolated from the bed log of Lentinus edodes,Shiitake mushroom

One of the chitinases secreted in the culture filtrate of a gram-negative bacteria, Burkholderia cepacia strain KH2, which was isolated from the bed log of Lentinus edodes, Shiitake mushrooms, was purified by DEAE Sepharose CL-6B chromatography, followed by Sephacryl S-100 HR gel filtration. The purified enzyme was homogenous, determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), with an estimated molecular weight of 34,000 and an isoelectric point (pI) of 5.9. The enzyme was stable at pH values of 4.0-6.0, and at temperatures up to 50 degrees C; the optimum pH and temperature were 4.5 and 50 degrees C, respectively. The enzyme exhibited higher activities toward chitosan 7B, a 62% deacetylated chitosan, than toward the highly deacetylated chitosan substrates. The enzyme was observed to drastically hydrolyze partially deacetylated chitin substrates, with the subsequent formation of N-acetylchitooligosaccharides [(GlcNAc) (n), n=2-7]. Separation and quantification of the hydrolysis products of (GlcNAc) (n), n52-6, by HPLC showed the splitting into (GlcNAc)(n), n=3-6. Activity toward N-acetylchitobiose was not detected. Oligomers with a higher number of units than the starting substrate were also detected, which indicate transglycosylation activity.     

Purification and characterization of a Bacillus cereus exochitinase

Five extracellular chitinases of Bacillus cereus 6E1 were detected by a novel in-gel chitinase assay using carboxymethyl-chitin-remazol brilliant violet 5R (CM-chitin-RBV) as a substrate. The major chitinase activity was associated with a 36-kDa (Chi36) gel band. Chi36 was purified by a one-step, native gel purification procedure derived from the new in-gel chitinase assay. The purified Chi36 has optimal activity at pH 5.8 and retains some enzymatic activity between pH 2.5-8. The temperature optimum for Chi36 was 35 degrees C, but the enzyme was active between 4-70 degrees C. Based on its ability to hydrolyze mainly p-nitrophenyl-(N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminide)(2), Chi36 is characterized as a chitobiosidase, a type of exochitinase. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of mature Chi36 was determined (25 amino acids). Alanine is the first N-terminal amino acid residue indicating the cleavage of a signal peptide from a Chi36 precursor to form the mature extracellular Chi36. The N-terminal sequence of Chi36 demonstrated highest similarity with Bacillus circulans WL-12 chitinase D and significant similarity with several other bacterial chitinases.     

Characterization of chitosanase of a deep biosphere Bacillus strain

A chitosanase of deep-biosphere Bacillus thuringiensis strain JAM-GG01 was purified. The optimal pH and temperature for the purified enzyme (Cho-GG) were about pH 6 and 60 °C, but Cho-GG was unexpectedly unstable under incubation at over 40 °C. This discrepancy between higher activity and lower stability in the same range of temperature was abolished by the addition of reaction products, chitotriose and chitotetraose. The Cho-GG gene was amplified by PCR and sequenced. The deduced amino acid sequence of Cho-GG showed more than 98% identity to those of other Bacillus enzymes belonging to GH family 8. Although Cho-GG did not show the definite characteristics of a sub-seafloor ectoenzyme, the thermal stability of many chitosanases of B. turingienesis and other related strains can be improved by adding chitotriose or chitotetraose.     

Nucleotide sequence of a cellulase gene of Bacillus subtilis

The nucleotide sequence of an endolytic cellulase gene of Bacillus subtilis was determined and compared with the NH2-terminal amino acid sequence of the purified enzyme. The mature protein appeared to be extended by a signal sequence of 36 amino acids. The putative AUG initiation codon was preceded by a sigma 43-type promoter of B. subtilis and an AAGGAGG sequence, typical of procaryotic ribosomal binding sites. Partial homology of amino acid sequences was found between B. subtilis cellulase and an alkalophilic Bacillus cellulase.     

The chitin catabolic cascade in the marine bacterium Vibrio cholerae: characterization of a unique chitin oligosaccharide deacetylase

Chitin, one of the most abundant organic substances in nature, is consumed by marine bacteria, such as Vibrio cholerae, via a multitude of tightly regulated genes (Li and Roseman 2004, Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 101:627-631). One such gene, cod, is reported here. It encodes a chitin oligosaccharide deacetylase (COD), when cells are induced by chitobiose, (GlcNH(2))(2), or crude crab shells. COD was molecularly cloned (COD-6His), overproduced, and purified to apparent homogeneity. COD is secreted at all stages of growth by induced V. cholerae. The gene sequence predicts a 26 N-terminal amino acid signal peptide not found in the isolated protein. COD is very active with chitin oligosaccharides, is virtually inactive with GlcNAc, and slightly active with colloidal ([(3)H]-N-acetyl)-chitin. The oligosaccharides are converted almost quantitatively to products lacking one acetyl group. The latter were characterized by mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), and treatment with nitrous acid. COD catalyzes the following reactions (n = 2-6): (GlcNAc)(n)--> GlcNAc-GlcNH(2)-(GlcNAc)(n-2) + Ac(-). That is, COD hydrolyzes the N-acetyl groups attached to the penultimate GlcNAc residue. The gene bank sequence data show that cod is highly conserved in Vibrios and Photobacteria. One such gene encodes a deacetylase isolated from V. alginolytics (Ohishi et al. 1997, Biosci Biotech Biochem. 61:1113-1117; Ohishi et al. 2000, J Biosci Bioeng. 90:561-563), that is specific for (GlcNAc)(2), but inactive with higher oligosaccharides. The COD enzymatic products, GlcNAc-GlcNH(2)-(GlcNAc)(n), closely resemble those obtained by hydrolysis of the chitooligosaccharides with Nod B: GlcNH(2)-(GlcNAc)(3-4). The latter are key intermediates in the biosynthesis of Nod factors, critically important in communications between the symbiotic nitrogen fixing bacteria and plants. Conceivably, the COD products play equally important roles in cellular communications that remain to be defined.     

Cloning of the maltose phosphorylase gene from Bacillus sp. strain RK-1 and efficient production of the cloned gene and the trehalose phosphorylase gene from Bacillus stearothermophilus SK-1 in Bacillus subtilis

The maltose phosphorylase (MPase) gene of Bacillus sp. strain RK-1 was cloned by PCR with oligonucleotide primers designed on the basis of a partial N-terminal amino acid sequence of the purified enzyme. The MPase gene consisted of 2,655 bp encoding a theoretical protein with a Mr of 88,460, and had no secretion signal sequence, although most of the MPase activity was detected in the culture supernatant of RK-1. This cloned MPase gene and the trehalose phosphorylase (TPase) gene from Bacillus stearothermophilus SK-1 were efficiently expressed intracellularly under the control of the Bacillus amyloliquefaciens alpha-amylase promoter in Bacillus subtilis. The production yields were estimated to be more than 2 g of enzyme per liter of medium, about 250 times the production of the original strains, in a simple shake flask. About 60% of maltose was converted into trehalose by the simultaneous action of both enzymes produced in B. subtilis.     

Exquisite regioselectivity and increased transesterification activity of an immobilized Bacillus subtilis protease

Commercially available proteases and lipases were screened for their ability to acylate regioselectively sucrose with divinyladipate either in pyridine or dimethylformamide (DMF). The protease (EC 3.4.21.62) from Bacillus subtilis (Proleather FG-F) exhibited the highest conversion (100% in 24 h of reaction in DMF) yielding sucrose 2-O-vinyladipate as main product. The enzyme preference for a secondary hydroxyl group is a distinct feature of this biocatalyst compared to others described in the literature. Two sets of chemically distinct silica supports were used for Proleather immobilization presenting terminal amino (S(APTES)) or hydroxyl groups (S(TESPM)(-)(pHEMA)). The percentage of immobilized enzyme was smaller in S(APTES) (7-17%) than in S(TESPM)(-)(pHEMA) (52-56%), yet Proleather immobilized into S(APTES) supports presented higher total and specific hydrolytic activity. The highest total and specific activities were obtained with S(TESPM)(-)(pHEMA) and S(APTES), respectively. Silicas with large pore (bimodal distribution of pores, 130/1200 A, denoted as S(1000)) presented higher specific activities relative to those with smaller pore sizes. Furthermore, the synthetic specific activity of S(1000)S(APTES) immobilized protease was ca. 10-fold higher than that of the free enzyme. In addition to sucrose, the immobilized protease was used to acylate methyl alpha-D-glucopyranoside, trehalose, and maltose in nearly anhydrous DMF. Finally, immobilized Proleather was reasonably stable, retaining ca. 55% activity after six reaction cycles.     

Purification and characterization of novel transglutaminase from Bacillus subtilis spores

Transglutaminase activity was detected in suspensions of purified spores prepared from lysozyme-treated sporulating cells of Bacillus subtilis AJ 1307. The enzyme was easily solubilized from the spores upon incubation at pH 10.5 at 37 degrees C. The transglutaminase activity was separated into two fractions upon purification by hydrophobic interaction chromatography (TG1 and TG2). Each enzyme was purified to electrophoretic homogeneity (about 1,000-fold). Both enzymes had the same molecular weight of 29,000 as estimated by SDS-PAGE, had the same N-terminal 30 amino acid sequence, and also showed the same optimal temperature (60 degrees C) and pH (8.2). The purified enzyme catalyzed formation of cross-linked epsilon-(gamma-glutamyl)lysine isopeptides, resulting in the gel-formation of protein solutions such as alphas-casein and BSA.