Cloning, sequencing, and expression of the gene encoding amylopullulanase from Pyrococcus furiosus and biochemical characterization of the recombinant enzyme

Microbiological research shows that the gene encoding the anaerobic microorganism Pyrococcus furiosus hyperthermophilic enzyme amylopullulanase is a single 827-residue polypeptide with a 26-residue signal peptide. It is a mature protein which has a molecular weight of 89,000 and retains its three-dimensional shape at temperatures of up to 70 degrees centigrade. The substrate specificity, kinetic properties and hydrolysis product analysis are discussed.