Characterization of a novel endo-levanase and its gene from Bacillus sp. L7

A novel endo-levanase producing bacterium belonging to the Bacillus family has been isolated from soil. The enzyme was characterized and found to have no exo-beta-fructofuranosidase activity. The endo-levanase gene was cloned and sequenced. Homology searches have shown that the C-terminal domain of the enzyme is homologous to a number of known beta-fructofuranosidases, including exo-levanase from Bacillus subtilis and yeast invertases. The N-terminal region of the endo-levanase which is homologous to the C-terminal sequence of the B. subtilis levanase appears to be a levan-binding domain.