CRYSTALLISED THERMOSTABLE GLYCOSYL HYDROLASE AND USE THEREOF FOR MODIFYING STRUCTURALLY RELATED ENZYMES

摘要

The crystal of a hyperthermostable cellulase from Rhodothermus marinus and the three-dimensional structure of the enzyme are provided. The enzyme belongs to the family 12 glycosyl hydrolases. The invention further provides procedures for the identification of structural features that are important for thermostability of the enzyme. Methods based thereon to rationally modify proteins structurally related to R. marinus are disclosed, in particular, methods for increased thermostability are provided. Modified proteins are provided, including modified variants of cellulose from Trichoderma reesei.