Purification and characterization of a highly stable tyrosinase from Thermomicrobium roseum

Tyrosinase, with an isoelectric point at pH 4.9, was purified to electrophoretic homogeneity from an extremely thermophilic bacterium, Thermomicrobium roseum. Gel filtration, N-terminal amino acid sequencing and SDS/PAGE analysis indicate that T. roseum tyrosinase is composed of two identical subunits, each with a molecular mass of 43000 Da. The enzyme exhibited high substrate specificity towards catechol, chlorogenic acid, L-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-L-alanine (L-DOPA) and pyrogallol. The K(m) value of the enzyme for L-DOPA was 0.18 mM. beta-Mercaptoethanol and sodium diethyldithiocarbamate notably inhibited the enzymic activity. The activity of the enzyme was optimal at pH 9.5 and 70 degrees C, and was increased by addition of 1 mM Mg(2+), K(+) or Cu(2+). The enzyme was highly stable against high temperature and guanidine hydrochloride. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the enzyme was determined to be Asp-Ile-Asn-Gly-Gly-Gly-Ala-Thr-Leu-Pro-Gln-Lys-Leu-Tyr. These facts indicate that T. roseum tyrosinase appears to be distinct from the tyrosinases so far purified from other sources.