Expression and Molecular Modification of Chitin Deacetylase from Streptomyces bacillaris

Chitin deacetylase can be used in the green and efficient preparation of chitosan from chitin. Herein, a novel chitin deacetylase SbCDA from Streptomyces bacillaris was heterologously expressed and comprehensively characterized. SbDNA exhibits its highest deacetylation activity at 35 degrees C and pH 8.0. The enzyme activity is enhanced by Mn2+ and prominently inhibited by Zn2+, SDS, and EDTA. SbCDA showed better deacetylation activity on colloidal chitin, (GlcNAc)(5), and (GlcNAc)(6) than other forms of the substrate. Molecular modification of SbCDA was conducted based on sequence alignment and homology modeling. A mutant SbCDA63G with higher activity and better temperature stability was obtained. The deacetylation activity of SbCDA63G was increased by 133% compared with the original enzyme, and the optimal reaction temperature increased from 35 to 40 degrees C. The half-life of SbCDA63G at 40 degrees C is 15 h, which was 5 h longer than that of the original enzyme. The improved characteristics of the chitin deacetylase SbCDA63G make it a potential candidate to industrially produce chitosan from chitin.

Automated summary

Chitin deacetylase SbCDA from Streptomyces bacillaris was expressed and characterized. The enzyme showed the highest deacetylation activity at 35°C, pH 8.0. The activity was enhanced by Mn2+ and inhibited by Zn2+, SDS, and EDTA. A mutant SbCDA63G with higher activity and better temperature stability was obtained, showing a potential for industrial production of chitosan.