A Paenibacillus sp. dextranase mutant pool with improved thermostability and activity

Erika Hild, Stevens M. Brumbley, Michael G. O'Shea, Helena Nevalainen, Peter L. Bergquist*

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    20 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Random mutagenesis was used to create a library of chimeric dextranase (dex1) genes. A plate-screening protocol was developed with improved thermostability as a selection criterion. The mutant library was screened for active dextranase variants by observing clearing zones on dextran-blue agar plates at 50°C after exposure to 68°C for 2 h, a temperature regime at which wild-type activity was abolished. A number of potentially improved variants were identified by this strategy, five of which were further characterised. DNA sequencing revealed ten nucleotide substitutions, ranging from one to four per variant. Thermal inactivation studies showed reduced (2.9-fold) thermostability for one variant and similar thermostability for a second variant, but confirmed improved thermostability for three mutants with 2.3- (28.9 min) to 6.9-fold (86.6 min) increases in half-lives at 62°C compared to that of the wild-type enzyme (12.6 min). Using a 10-min assay, apparent temperature optima of the variants were similar to that of the wild type (Topt 60°C). However, one of these variants had increased enzyme activity. Therefore, the first-generation dextranase mutant pool obtained in this study has sufficient molecular diversity for further improvements in both thermostability and activity through recombination (gene shuffling).

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)1071-1078
    Number of pages8
    JournalApplied Microbiology and Biotechnology
    Volume75
    Issue number5
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Jul 2007

    Keywords

    • dextranase
    • thermostability
    • activity
    • directed evolution
    • Paenibacillus sp
    • random mutagenesis

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