Isolation and characterization of a heat-stable pullulanase from the hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus woesei after cloning and expression of its gene in Escherichia coli

Abstract

The gene encoding an extremely heat-stable pullulanase from the hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus woesei was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. Purification of the enzyme to homogeneity was achieved after heat treatment of the recombinant E. coli cells, affinity chromatography on a maltotriose-coupled Sepharose 6B column, and anion- exchange chromatography on Mono Q. The pullulanase, which was purified 90- fold with a final yield of 15%, is composed of a single polypeptide chain with a molecular mass of 90 kDa. The enzyme is optimally active at 100°C and pH 6.0 and shows 40% activity at 120°C. Enzyme activation up to 370% is achieved in the presence of calcium ions and reducing agents such as β- mercaptoethanol and dithiothreitol, whereas N-bromosuccinimide and α- cyclodextrin are inhibitory. The high rigidity of the heat-stable enzyme is demonstrated by fluorescence spectroscopic studies in the presence of denaturing agents such as sodium dodecyl sulfate. At temperatures above 80°C, the enzyme seems to switch from the compact to the unfolded form which is accompanied by an apparent shift in the molecular mass from 45 to 90 kDa.