Cloning and expression of superoxide dismutase from Aquifex pyrophilus, a hyperthermophilic bacterium

FEBS Lett. 1997 Apr 7;406(1-2):142-6. doi: 10.1016/s0014-5793(97)00262-7.

Abstract

A superoxide dismutase (SOD) gene of Aquifex pyrophilus, a marine hyperthermophilic bacterium, was cloned, sequenced, expressed in Escherichia coli, and its gene product characterized. This is the first SOD from a hyperthermophilic bacterium that has been cloned. It is an iron-containing homo-oligomeric protein with a monomeric molecular mass of 24.2 kDa. The DNA-derived amino acid sequence is more similar to those of known Mn- and Fe-SODs from thermophilic archaea than of Cu, Zn-SODs. The metal binding residues found in all SOD sequences from different species are also conserved in A. pyrophilus SOD. The protein is biochemically active only as an oligomer and is resistant to thermal denaturation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Base Sequence
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Cytochrome c Group / metabolism
  • DNA, Recombinant
  • Enzyme Stability
  • Gram-Negative Aerobic Bacteria / enzymology*
  • Gram-Negative Aerobic Bacteria / genetics
  • Hot Temperature
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Superoxide Dismutase / genetics*
  • Superoxide Dismutase / isolation & purification
  • Superoxide Dismutase / metabolism

Substances

  • Cytochrome c Group
  • DNA, Recombinant
  • Superoxide Dismutase