Abstract
Recent findings on the biochemical and molecular features of the following thermozymes are presented, based on their biotechnological use: α-amylase and amylopullulanase, used in starch processing; glucose isomerase, used in sweetener production; alcohol dehydrogenase, used in chemical synthesis; and alkaline phosphatase, used in diagnostics. The corresponding genes and recombinant proteins have been characterized in terms of sequence similarities, specific activities, thermophilicity, and unfolding kinetics. Site-directed and nested deletion mutagenesis were used to understand structure–function relationships. All these thermozymes display higher stability and activity than their counterparts currently used in the biotechnology industry.
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Received: January 22, 1998 / Accepted: February 16, 1998
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Zeikus, J., Vieille, C. & Savchenko, A. Thermozymes: biotechnology and structure–function relationships. Extremophiles 2, 179–183 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/s007920050058
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s007920050058