CLONING AND NUCLEOTIDE-SEQUENCE OF AMIDASE GENE FROM PSEUDOMONAS-PUTIDA

Amidases are a class of enzymes which convert amides to acids and have potential value in the development of commercial bioprocesses for the production of useful chemicals, A gene encoding an amidase in Pseudom onas putida 5B has been cloned, sequenced, and overexpressed in Escher ichia coli, An additional open reading frame (P38K) encoding a putativ e protein of 38 kDa was found immediately upstream of the amidase gene , This work continues our characterization of a P. putida operon, whic h now appears to include P38K, amidase, and a stereo-specific nitrile hydratase, This characterization underlies continuing efforts in bioca talyst development.