Alkaline-resistance model of subtilisin ALP I, a novel alkaline subtilisin

Citation
H. Maeda et al., Alkaline-resistance model of subtilisin ALP I, a novel alkaline subtilisin, J BIOCHEM, 129(5), 2001, pp. 675-682
Citations number
39
Categorie Soggetti
Biochemistry & Biophysics
Journal title
JOURNAL OF BIOCHEMISTRY
ISSN journal
0021924X → ACNP
Volume
129
Issue
5
Year of publication
2001
Pages
675 - 682
Database
ISI
SICI code
0021-924X(200105)129:5<675:AMOSAI>2.0.ZU;2-#
Abstract
The alkaline-resistance mechanism of the alkaline-stable enzymes is not yet known. To clarify the mechanism of alkaline-resistance of alkaline subtili sin, structural changes of two typical subtilisins, subtilisin ALP I (ALP I ) and subtilisin Sendai (Sendai), were studied by means of physicochemical methods. Subtilisin NAT (NAT), which exhibits no alkaline resistance, was e xamined as a control. ALP I gradually lost its activity, accompanied by pro tein degradation, but, on the contrary, Sendai was stable under alkaline co nditions. CD spectral measurements at neutral and alkaline pH indicated no apparent differences between ALP I and Sendai. A significant difference was observed on measurement of fluorescence emission spectra of the tryptophan residues of ALP I that were exposed on the enzyme surface. The fluorescenc e intensity of ALP I was greatly reduced under alkaline conditions; moreove r, the reduction was reversed when alkaline-treated ALP I was neutralized. The fluorescence spectrum of Sendai remained unchanged. The enzymatic and o ptical activities of NAT were lost at high pH, indicating a lack of functio nal and structural stability in an alkaline environment. Judging from these results, the alkaline resistance is closely related to the surface structu re of the enzyme molecule.