A hyperthermophilic laccase from Thermus thermophilus HB27

A copper-inducible laccase activity was detected in Thermus thermophilus HB27. The enzyme was partially purified and separated by SDS-PAGE. After staining, a gel slice containing a approximately 53-kDa protein was excised and treated with trypsin, and the in-gel digests were analyzed by mass spectrometry. By mass fingerprinting, the peptides were found to share identity with the TTC1370 protein of the thermophile, which was tentatively annotated as a laccase in the whole genome analysis, albeit experimental evidence was lacking. The assigned mass nearest to the N-terminal sequence was that from Gln23 to Lys31. By signal peptide prediction, TTC1370 protein was assumed to be a secretory protein starting from Gln23. The DNA encoding the mature protein was then cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The recombinant enzyme, expressed as an apoprotein, was dialyzed against copper-containing buffer to yield a holoprotein. The holoprotein was purified to homogeneity, which displayed a blue color typical of laccases and oxidized canonical laccase substrates such as guaiacol and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonate). The enzyme was most notable for its striking thermophilicity; the optimal reaction temperature was approximately 92 degrees C and the half-life of thermal inactivation at 80 degrees C was >14 h, ranking it as the most thermophilic laccase reported thus far.