Molecular cloning and characterization of a novel metagenome-derived bacterial perhydrolase

Abstract:

The aim of this study is to obtain bacterial perhydrolases with chlorination activity, expands the resources of perhydrolases, and lays a foundation for it’s industrial applications. We constructed a metagenomic library using environmental DNA isolated from sludge samples of a paper mill of Tanghe county, and identified a per822 gene encoding a bacteria perhydrolase via activity-based functional screening. Then, we overexpressed Per822 heterologously in Escherichia coli, and characterized the recombinant enzyme after purification. Finally, we further investigated the ability of Per822 to produce peracetic acid (PAA). Sequence analysis revealed that per822 encoded a protein of 273 amino acids. The recombinant Per822 had the activity of peroxidase, esterase and halogenase respectively, and thus was regarded as a typical representative of multifunctional enzymes. The purified Per822 exhibited maximal chlorination activity (hyperhydrolysis) at 55 °C and pH 4.5 with monochlorodimedone as substrate, and the enzyme was stable in the pH range of 3.5–8.0 and below 70 °C. Also, the chlorination activity of this enzyme could be activated by Fe2+. In addition, the enzyme displayed high ability to generate PAA using ethyl acetate as cosubstrate. The highly soluble expression, catalytic versatility and good PAA production capacity of Per822 make it a potential candidate in organic synthesis, wastewater treatment, disinfection and biomass pretreatment, etc.