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Applied and Environmental Microbiology, November 1998, p. 4423-4427, Vol. 64, No. 11
Novo Nordisk Biotech, Davis, California
95616-4880
Received 17 February 1998/Accepted 10 September 1998
The phyA gene encoding an extracellular phytase from
the thermophilic fungus Thermomyces lanuginosus was cloned
and heterologously expressed, and the recombinant gene product was
biochemically characterized. The phyA gene encodes a
primary translation product (PhyA) of 475 amino acids (aa) which
includes a putative signal peptide (23 aa) and propeptide (10 aa). The
deduced amino acid sequence of PhyA has limited sequence identity (ca.
47%) with Aspergillus niger phytase. The phyA
gene was inserted into an expression vector under transcriptional
control of the Fusarium oxysporum trypsin gene promoter and
used to transform a Fusarium venenatum recipient strain.
The secreted recombinant phytase protein was enzymatically active
between pHs 3 and 7.5, with a specific activity of 110 µmol of
inorganic phosphate released per min per mg of protein at pH 6 and
37°C. The Thermomyces phytase retained activity at assay
temperatures up to 75°C and demonstrated superior catalytic
efficiency to any known fungal phytase at 65°C (the temperature
optimum). Comparison of this new Thermomyces catalyst with
the well-known Aspergillus niger phytase reveals other
favorable properties for the enzyme derived from the thermophilic gene
donor, including catalytic activity over an expanded pH range.
0099-2240/98/$04.00+0
Copyright © 1998, American Society for Microbiology. All rights reserved.
Molecular Characterization and Expression of a
Phytase Gene from the Thermophilic Fungus Thermomyces
lanuginosus
*
Corresponding author. Mailing address: Novo Nordisk
Biotech, Inc., 1445 Drew Ave., Davis, CA 95616-4880. Phone: (530)
757-0822. Fax: (530) 758-0317. E-mail: magi{at}nnbt.com.
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