Thermozymes

Abstract

Enzymes synthesized by thermophiles (organisms with optimal growth temperatures > 60 degrees C) and hyperthermophiles (optimal growth temperatures > 80 degrees C) are typically thermostable (resistant to irreversible inactivation at high temperatures) and thermophilic (optimally active at high temperatures, i.e., > 60 degrees C). These enzymes, called thermozymes, share catalytic mechanisms with their mesophilic counterparts. When cloned and expressed in mesophilic hosts, thermozymes usually retain their thermal properties, suggesting that these properties are genetically encoded. Sequence alignments, amino acid content comparisons, and crystal structure comparisons indicate that thermozymes are, indeed, very similar to mesophilic enzymes. No obvious sequence or structural features account for enzyme thermostability and thermophilicity. Thermostability and thermophilicity molecular mechanisms are varied, differing from enzyme to enzyme. Thermostability and thermophilicity are usually caused by the accumulation of numerous subtle sequence differences. This review concentrates on the mechanisms involved in enzyme thermostability and thermophilicity. Their relationships with protein rigidity and flexibility and with protein folding and unfolding are discussed. Intrinsic stabilizing forces (e.g., salt bridges, hydrogen bonds, hydrophobic interactions) and extrinsic stabilizing factors are examined. Finally, thermozymes' potential as catalysts for industrial processes and specialty uses are discussed, and lines of development (through new applications, and protein engineering) are also proposed.