Further stabilization of Leu¹⁵⁵ mutant thermolysins by mutation of an autodegradation site

The autodegradation-resistant mutant thermolysins (TLNs), L155A (Leu(155) to Ala) and L155S (Leu(155) to Ser), were previously constructed by site-directed mutagenesis to enhance thermostability. These mutations suppressed autodegradation at position 154-155, resulting in increased thermostability. However, a new autodegradation site became apparent in these mutant TLNs, at position 155-156. In this study, further stabilization of the mutant TLNs to suppress this new autodegradation was attempted by the substitution of Ile(156) to Asp and Val (L155A-I156N, L155A-I156V, L155S-I156N, and L155S-I156V). SDS-PAGE analysis showed that the autodegradation at 155-156 of all double-mutant TLNs was suppressed. Thermostability at 80 °C was enhanced in all double-mutant TLNs (half-life at 80 °C: WT, 18.3 min; L155A, 25.0 min; L155S, 24.0 min; L155A-I156N, 60.8 min; L155A-I156V, 62.4 min; L155S-I156N, 93.3 min; and L155S-I156V, 40.0 min), and k (cat)/K (m) values were: WT, 220; L155A, 240; L155S, 123; L155A-I156N, 62; L155A-I156V, 760; L155S-I156N, 240; and L155S-I156V, 520 min(-1) mM(-1).