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Title: Structural redesign of lipase B from Candida antarctica by circular permutation and incremental truncation.

Journal Article · · J. Mol. Biol.

Circular permutation of Candida antarctica lipase B yields several enzyme variants with substantially increased catalytic activity. To better understand the structural and functional consequences of protein termini reorganization, we have applied protein engineering and x-ray crystallography to cp283, one of the most active hydrolase variants. Our initial investigation has focused on the role of an extended surface loop, created by linking the native N- and C-termini, on protein integrity. Incremental truncation of the loop partially compensates for observed losses in secondary structure and the permutants temperature of unfolding. Unexpectedly, the improvements are accompanied by quaternary-structure changes from monomer to dimer. The crystal structures of one truncated variant (cp283{Delta}7) in the apo-form determined at 1.49 {angstrom} resolution and with a bound phosphonate inhibitor at 1.69 {angstrom} resolution confirmed the formation of a homodimer by swapping of the enzyme's 35-residue N-terminal region. Separately, the new protein termini at amino acid positions 282/283 convert the narrow access tunnel to the catalytic triad into a broad crevice for accelerated substrate entry and product exit while preserving the native active-site topology for optimal catalytic turnover.

Research Organization:
Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
OSTI ID:
1005948
Journal Information:
J. Mol. Biol., Vol. 393, Issue (1) ; 10, 2009; ISSN 0022-2836
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
ENGLISH