Patent · US Expired

Thermally stable para-nitrobenzyl esterases

US5945325A · kind A · utility

51Cited by
3References
15Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 20, 1998
Grant dateAug 31, 1999
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 20, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
  • CPC primaryC12N9/18
  • WIPO fieldBiotechnology
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A method for isolating and identifying modified para-nitrobenzyl esterases which exhibit improved thermal stability relative to naturally occurring para-nitrobenzyl esterase. The method involves preparing a library of modified para-nitrobenzyl esterase nucleic acid segments (genes) which have nucleotide sequences that differ from the nucleic acid segment which encodes for naturally occurring para-nitrobenzyl esterase. The library of modified para-nitrobenzyl nucleic acid segments is expressed to provide a plurality of modified enzymes. The clones expressing modified enzymes are then screened to identify which enzymes retain esterase activity after heat treatment at elevated temperature. Specific modified para-nitrobenzyl esterases are disclosed which have improved thermal stability and/or ester hydrolysis activity in aqueous or aqueous-organic media relative to the thermal stability and/or ester hydrolysis activity of unmodified naturally occurring para-nitrobenzyl esterase.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.