NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
Alpha-amylase from the Hyperthermophilic Archaeon Thermococcus thioreducensExtremophiles are microorganisms that thrive in, from an anthropocentric view, extreme environments such as hot springs. The ability of survival at extreme conditions has rendered enzymes from extremophiles to be of interest in industrial applications. One approach to producing these extremozymes entails the expression of the enzyme-encoding gene in a mesophilic host such as E.coli. This method has been employed in the effort to produce an alpha-amylase from a hyperthermophile (an organism that displays optimal growth above 80 C) isolated from a hydrothermal vent at the Rainbow vent site in the Atlantic Ocean. alpha-amylases catalyze the hydrolysis of starch to produce smaller sugars and constitute a class of industrial enzymes having approximately 25% of the enzyme market. One application for thermostable alpha-amylases is the starch liquefaction process in which starch is converted into fructose and glucose syrups. The a-amylase encoding gene from the hyperthermophile Thermococcus thioreducens was cloned and sequenced, revealing high similarity with other archaeal hyperthermophilic a-amylases. The gene encoding the mature protein was expressed in E.coli. Initial characterization of this enzyme has revealed an optimal amylolytic activity between 85-90 C and around pH 5.3-6.0.
Document ID
20040000192
Acquisition Source
Marshall Space Flight Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Bernhardsdotter, E. C. M. J.
(Alabama Univ. Huntsville, AL, United States)
Pusey, M. L.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Ng, M. L.
(Alabama Univ. Huntsville, AL, United States)
Garriott, O. K.
(Alabama Univ. Huntsville, AL, United States)
Date Acquired
August 21, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2003
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Meeting Information
Meeting: American Society for Gravitational and Space Biology Conference
Location: Huntsville, AL
Country: United States
Start Date: November 12, 2003
End Date: November 16, 2003
Sponsors: American Society for Gravitational and Space Biology
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NCC8-200
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

Available Downloads

There are no available downloads for this record.
No Preview Available