Stephen H. Brown

The identification and characterization of four laccases from the plant pathogenic fungusRhizoctonia solani

Four distinct laccase genes,lcc1, lcc2, lcc3 andlcc4, have been identified in the fungusRhizoctonia solani. Both cDNA and genomic copies of these genes were isolated and characterized. Hybridization analyses indicate that each of the four laccase genes is present in a single copy in the genome. TheR. solani laccases can be divided into two groups based on their protein size, intron/exon organization, and transcriptional regulation. Three of these enzymes have been expressed in the fungusAspergillus oryzae. Two of the recombinant laccases, r-lccl and r-lcc4, as well as the native lcc4 enzyme were purified and characterized. The purified proteins are homodimeric, comprised of two subunits of approximately 66 kDa for lcc4 and 50–100 kDa for the recombinant lccl protein. These laccases have spectral properties that are consistent with other blue copper proteins. With syringaldazine as a substrate, lcc4 has optimal activity at pH 7, whereas lcc1 has optimal activity at pH 6.

Targeted Mutations in a Trametes villosa Laccase AXIAL PERTURBATIONS OF THE T1 COPPER

Trametes villosa laccase was mutated on a tetrapeptide segment near the type 1 site. The mutations F463M and F463L were at the position corresponding to the type 1 copper axial methionine (M517) ligand in Zucchini ascorbate oxidase. The mutations E460S and A461E were near the T1 copper site. The mutatedTrametes laccases were expressed in an Aspergillus oryzae host and characterized. The E460S mutation failed to produce a transformant with meaningful expression. The F463L and A461E mutations did not significantly alter the molecular and enzymological properties of the laccase. In contrast, the F463M mutation resulted in a type 1 copper site with an EPR signal intermediate between that of the wild type laccase and plastocyanin, an altered UV-visible spectrum, and a decreased redox potential (by 0.1 V). In oxidizing phenolic substrate, the mutation led to a more basic optimal pH as well as an increase in k cat and K m . These effects are attributed to a significant perturbation of the T1 copper center caused by the coordination of the axial methionine (M463) ligand.

Characterization of a Coprinus cinereus laccase

A wild-type Coprinus cinereus laccase and its recombinant form expressed in an Aspergillus oryzae host have been purified and characterized. The mature laccase had a molecular mass of 58 kDa by mass spectrometry, an isoelectric point near 4, and two absorption maxima at 278 and 614 nm. Photometric titration with 2,2′-biquinoline showed a Cu/protein(subunit) stoichiometry of ≈4. The electron paramagnetic resonance spectrum showed typical type 1 and type 2 Cu signals, and the circular dichroism showed a typical coordination geometry of the type 1 Cu(II). At pH 5.5, the enzyme had a redox potential of 0.55 V vs. normal hydrogen electrode at its type 1 site. The laccase could oxidize 2,2′-azinobis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonate) and syringaldazine with optimum pH of 4 and 6.5, respectively. Halides inhibited the laccase. At pH 8.5, the laccase had an optimum temperature between 60°C and 70°C. At the same pH, the laccase had a half-life of >200 or 21.8 min in the presence of 0 or 2 mM H2O2, respectively, at 40°C. Mediated by several phenols and phenothiazines, the laccase was able to oxidatively bleach Direct Blue 1 dye at alkaline pH, making it a promising industrial enzyme candidate.

The hyperthermophilic archaebacterium, Pyrococcus furiosus. Development of culturing protocols, perspectives on scaleup, and potential applications.

From this brief discussion, it is clear that there are many obstacles to overcome before hyperthermophilic archaebacteria will be an important aspect of biotechnology. Nevertheless, the prospects are intriguing. The nature of the environments that harbor these organisms and the consequent requirements for their controlled culture suggest that chemical and biochemical engineers can play an important role in elucidating their scientific and technological aspects.

Expression and characterization of a recombinant Fusarium spp. galactose oxidase.

The Fusarium spp. (Dactylium dendroides) galactose oxidase was expressed in Aspergillus oryzae and Fusarium venenatum hosts. Under the control of an A. niger α-amylase or a Fusarium trypsin promoter, high level galactose oxidase expression was achieved. The recombinant oxidase expressed in the A. oryzae host was purified and characterized. The purified enzyme had a molecular weight of 66 k Da on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polymerase gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and 0.4 mol copper atom per mole protein. The stoichiometry increased to 1.2 after a Cu saturation. Based on a peroxidase-coupled assay, the enzyme preparation showed an activity of 440 turnover per second toward d-galactose (0.1 M) at pH7 and 20°C. The enzyme had an optimal temperature of 60°C at pH 6.0 and an activation free Gibbs energy of 33 kJ/mol. A series of d-galactose derivatives was tested as the reducing substrate for the oxidase. The difference in activity was interpreted by the stereospecificity of the oxidase toward the substituents in the pyranose substrate, particularly on the C5 and the cyclic hemiacetal O sites. The recombinan toxidase could act on some galactose-containing polysaccharides, such as guar gum, but was not able to oxidize several common redox compounds that lacked a primary alcohol functional group.

Enzymes from high-temperature microorganisms

Enzymes derived from microorganisms growing at extreme temperatures are of biotechnological use as highly thermostable biocatalysts and should provide insight into the intrinsic basis of protein stability. So far, only DNA polymerases from these organisms have been put to commercial use, although the application of other classes of highly thermostable enzymes is being considered. Problems in the cultivation of high-temperature microorganisms and in the production of their enzymes still hampers progress in this field.