Protein engineering variants

A protein-engineered variant (Lipolase Ultra) has since been developed with enhanced performance at low temperatures. At low temperatures, fatty stains become more troublesome to remove. Lipases therefore have an even more valuable role in cool washes. Although it is more expensive to produce, the manufacturer believes it to render more value, especially in low-temperature washes. 

Maxaperm protein engineering variant of Bacillus sp. detergent... 

Aehle, W., Sobek, H., Amory, A., Vetter, R., Wilke, D. Schomburg,D. (1993). Rational protein engineering and industrial application structure prediction by homology and rational design of protein-variants with improved washing performance the alkaline protease from Bacillus alcalophilus. Journal of Biotechnology, 28, 31-40. 

Even if we restrict our design to a small number of sites in the protein, the combinatorial possibilities quickly approach astronomical dimensions. If we consider mutations at 10 sites and a subset of 10 amino acids, we have 1010 possible variants. Although experimental approaches are under development that can actually search large subsets of protein sequence space, it is not at all a small feat to identify those variants that give rise to a stable structure and at the same time come close to the desired features. Therefore, computational approaches that, with some reliability, are able to pick those variants having a stable structure are desirable instruments in the protein engineer s toolbox. 

Application of this enzyme variant in the bioreactor allows far easier product isolation. Protein engineering turns out to be the most efficient method and also... 

Fig. 13.3. Correlation of required mechanistic information, required structural information, importance of screening and number of possible enzyme variants in protein engineering by rational protein design and directed evolution.

---