Objectives: A levansucrase from Leuconostoc mesenteroides NTM048 was cloned and expressed and its enzymatic product was characterized.
Results: The fructansucrase gene from Leuconostoc mesenteroides was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The recombinant enzyme was purified as a single protein and its properties investigated. The polymer produced by the recombinant enzyme was identified as levan by various means including TLC and NMRs, and the enzyme was identified as a GH68 levansucrase. The enzyme was optimal at pH 5.5-6 and 30 °C, and its activity was stimulated by Ca(2+). The levan produced by this strain induced IgA production in mice.
Conclusion: Leuconostoc mesenteroides, a probiotic strain, possessed levansucrase which catalyzed the produced levan that had immunomodulating activity.
Keywords: Fructansucrase; IgA; Immunomodulating activity; Leuconostoc mesenteroides; Levan; Levansucrase.