New Pseudomonas esterases by genetic engineering

Esterase EstE from Xanthomonas vesicatoria ( Xv_EstE) is an outer membrane protein capable of hydrolyzing long-chain polar esters

A new esterase gene from Xanthomonas vesicatoria (formerly X. campestris) DSM 50861 was identified, cloned from a chromosomal gene library and overexpressed in Escherichia coli. The corresponding DNA fragment contains an ORF of 1,818 bp, encoding a hydrolase of the GDSL esterase family. A protein of about 67 kDa, named Xv_EstE, was expressed from this fragment. A N-terminal signal peptide was processed under low-expression conditions, yielding a 63-kDa mature protein. The predicted amino acid sequence showed distinct homology to esterases of the GDSL family. Based on homology, a catalytic triad Gly-Asp-Ser could be defined. Amino acid sequence alignments and computer-assisted structure prediction indicated the presence of a carboxyl-terminal beta-barrel membrane domain which might facilitate binding of Xv_EstE to the outer membrane. This could be verified by differential cell fractionation experiments, in which Xv_EstE was exclusively found in the outer membrane fraction. Xv_EstE showed preferential hydrolytic activity on short chain (up to C(8)) and para-substituted nitrophenylesters as substrates. However, only long-chain 1-hydroxy-pyrene-3,6,8-trisulfonic acid (HPTS)-fatty acid esters were hydrolyzed. Xv_EstE was also found to be active on a series of substrates of industrial interest, such as 1-methylprop-2-ynyl acetate, for which an enantioselectivity up to 93% ee could be recognized.

Detection of a new enzyme for stereoselective hydrolysis of linalyl acetate using simple plate assays for the characterization of cloned esterases from Burkholderia gladioli

Plate assays were developed for the identification of specific hydrolytic activities of esterases from Burkholderia gladioli, cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. Clones showing different substrate specificities were identified by fluorescence or azo-dye formation caused by the released alcohol moiety of the hydrolyzed substrates, or by colour change of pH indicators mediated by decreased pH. The use of 1-hydroxypyrene-3,6,8-trisulfonic acid (HPTS-) esters and linalyl acetate for these assays clearly allowed to discriminate substrate specificities for two different cloned esterases, EP6 and EP10. Long chain fatty acid HPTS-esters were only hydrolyzed by the EP10 clone. On the other hand, the EP6 clone showed significant activity in hydrolysis of the sterically hindered ester linalyl-acetate. Enantioselective hydrolysis of linalyl acetate could be verified with a crude EP6 preparation on a preparative scale.