Protease variants

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/588,555 filed on Jun. 1, 2007 (now abandoned) which is a 35 U.S.C. 371 national application of PCT/DK2005/000097 filed Feb. 14, 2005 which claims priority or the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119 of Danish Application no. PA 2004 00226 filed Feb. 13, 2004 and U.S. provisional application No. 60/558,191 filed Mar. 31, 2004, the contents of which are fully incorporated herein by reference.

The present invention relates to variants of proteases belonging to the RP-II or C-component type, and methods for the construction of such variants with altered properties, such as stability (e.g. thermostability or storage stability), Ca 2+ dependency, and pH dependent activity.

Enzymes have been used within the detergent industry as part of washing formulations for more than 30 years. Proteases are from a commercial perspective the most relevant enzyme in such formulations, but other enzymes including lipases, amylases, cellulases, hemicellulases or mixtures of enzymes are also often used. Proteases are also used in other fields, such as production of diary products, processing of hides, feed processing, etc.

To improve the cost and/or the performance of proteases there is an ongoing search for proteases with altered properties, such as increased activity at low temperatures, increased thermostability, increased specific activity at a given pH, altered Ca 2+ dependency, increased stability in the presence of other detergent ingredients (e.g. bleach, surfactants etc.), modified specificity in respect of substrates, etc.

The search for proteases with altered properties includes both discovery of naturally occurring proteases, i.e. so called wild-type proteases but also alteration of well-known proteases by e.g. genetic manipulation of the nucleic acid sequence encoding said proteases. Knowledge of the relationship between the three-dimensional structure and the function of a protein has improved the ability to evaluate which areas of a protein to alter to affect a specific property of the protein.

One group of proteases, which has been indicated for use in detergents, food processing, feed processing is the RP-II proteases or C-component proteases belonging to the protease family S1B, glutamic-acid-specific endopeptidases. This family has till now only received relatively minor attention and has not been further grouped into different sub-groups. However, from the amino acid identities of isolated RP-II proteases it is evident that subgroups exist. Bacillus proteases of the RP-II type are serine proteases that in primary structure are similar to chymotrypsin.

The first description of a protease of the RP-II family of Bacillus proteases was in U.S. Pat. No. 4,266,031 (Tang et al., Novo Industri A/S), where it was designated Component C and tentatively (and incorrectly) characterised as not being a serine protease or metallo protease. Component C was considered a contaminant in the production of the Bacillus licheniformis alkaline protease, subtilisin Carlsberg.

In EP 369 817 (Omnigene Bioproducts, Inc.) the B. subtilis member of the RP-II family was identified by its amino acid and DNA sequences. The enzyme was again stated not to be a serine protease, and the family name RP-II designated (Residual Protease II). The enzyme was characterized further as a metallo protease by the inventors of EP 369 817 (Rufo et al., 1990, J. Bacteriol. 2 1019-1023, and Sloma et al., 1990, J. Bacteriol. 172 1024-1029), designating the enzyme as mpr.

In WO 91/13553 (Novozymes A/S) the amino acid sequence of the C component was disclosed, stating that it is a serine protease specific for glutamic and aspartic acid, while EP 482 879 (Shionogi & Co. Ltd.) disclosed the enzyme and a DNA sequence encoding the C component from B. licheniformis ATCC No. 14580, naming the enzyme BLase. In EP 482 879 the protease is described as being specific for glutamic acid (see also Kakudo et al. “Purification, characterization, cloning, and expression of a glutamic acid-specific protease from Bacillus licheniformis ATCC 14580”. J. Biol. Chem. 267:23782 (1992)).

In 1997 Okamoto et al. (Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol. (1997) 48 27-33) found that the B. subtilis homologue of BLase, named BSase was identical to the above-mentioned enzyme, mpr/RP-II.

In 1999 Rebrikov et al. (Journal of Protein Chemistry, Vol. 18, No. 1, 1999) disclosed a Glu-specific protease from B. intermedius that also belongs to the RP-II family.

In WO 01/16285 a number of further RP-II protease were disclosed with DNA and amino acid sequences. These RP-II proteases were isolated from B. pumilus, B. halmapalus and B. licheniformis . WO 01/16285 also discloses a number of variants of RP-II proteases. These variants were based on various concepts relating to the primary structure of the RP-II proteases (amino acid sequences).

The homology matrix in Table 1 below clearly indicates that the RP-II proteases 1 to 8 are a distinct group of Glu-specific proteases that are clearly different from the other Glu-specific proteases in the Matrix

The three-dimensional structure of the protease Toxin A from Staphylococcus aureus . Belonging to the S1B family has been determined by Cavarelli, J., et al. Structure Vol. 5, p. 813 1997.

However, despite the sequence homology between the proteases belonging to the RP-II proteases and Toxin A from Staphylococcus aureus , modelling of the three-dimensional structure of RP-II proteases on the basis of the three-dimensional structure of Toxin A from Staphylococcus aureus may result in an incorrect three-dimensional structure because of structural differences, especially because the distinct difference in sequence homology to the RP-II proteases.

The inventors of the present invention have elucidated the three-dimensional structure of the C-component protease from Bacillus licheniformis and found that there are several differences between this and the three-dimensional structure of Toxin A from Staphylococcus aureus also belonging to the S1B subgroup of proteases. This surprising difference in structure makes it advantageous to use the BLC structure as basis for homology modelling of RP-II proteases, which, in turn, will improve the ability to obtain desired changes in functionality by protein engineering.

The inventors have modified the amino acid sequence of a RP-II protease to obtain variants with improved properties, based on the three-dimensional structure of the C-component. The variants will have altered properties, such as increased activity at low temperatures, increased thermostability, increased specific activity at a given pH, altered Ca 2+ dependency, increased stability in the presence of other detergent ingredients (e.g. bleach, surfactants etc.) etc.

Accordingly, the object of the present invention is to provide a method for constructing RP-II proteases having altered properties, in particular to provide a method for constructing RP-II proteases having altered properties as described above.

Thus, in its broadest aspect, the present invention relates to a method for constructing a variant of a parent RP-II protease, wherein the variant has at least one altered property as compared to said parent RP-II protease, which method comprises:

i) analyzing the three-dimensional structure of the RP-II protease to identify, on the basis of an evaluation of structural considerations, at least one amino acid residue or at least one structural region of the RP-II protease, which is of relevance for altering said property;

ii) constructing a variant of the RP-II protease, which as compared to the parent RP-II protease, has been modified in the amino acid residue or structural part identified in i) so as to alter said property; and

iii) testing the resulting RP-II protease variant for said property.

Although it has been described in the following that modification of the parent RP-II protease in certain regions and/or positions is expected to confer a particular effect to the thus produced RP-II protease variant, it should be noted that modification of the parent RP-II protease in any of such regions may also give rise to any other of the above-mentioned effects. For example, any of the regions and/or positions mentioned as being of particular interest with respect to, e.g., improved thermostability, may also give rise to, e.g., higher activity at a lower pH, an altered pH optimum, or increased specific activity, such as increased peptidase activity.

Further aspects of the present invention relates to variants of a RP-II protease, the DNA encoding such variants and methods of preparing the variants. Still further aspects of the present invention relates to the use of the variants for various industrial purposes, in particular as an additive in detergent compositions. Other aspects of the present invention will be apparent from the below description as well as from the appended claims.

FIG. 1 provides a schematic structure of the RP-II protease from Bacillus licheniformis , BLC (SEQ ID NO: 2).

FIG. 2 shows a 3D structure based alignment of the wild type RP-II proteases 1 to 8 of Table 1 (SEQ ID NOs: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 and 16).

FIG. 3 shows the BLC protease ribbon structure in black, with indication of active site residues, the bound peptide and the ion-binding site. The calcium ion is the sphere at the bottom of the Figure, the active site residues are in light grey and shown in stick model, and the bound peptide DAFE is in medium grey and shown in stick model.

APPENDIX 1 provides the structural coordinates for the solved crystal 3D structure of the BLC RP-II protease, in the standard pdb format. The residues are numbered from 1-217, the calcium ion is numbered 301, and the DAFE substrate is numbered 401-404.

Prior to discussing this invention in further detail, the following terms and conventions will first be defined.

For a detailed description of the nomenclature of amino acids and nucleic acids and modifications introduced in a polypeptide or protein and especially in a RP-II protease by genetic manipulation, we refer to WO 01/16285 pages 5 to 15, hereby incorporated by reference.

The term “RP-II proteases” refers to a sub-group of serine protease, belonging to the protease family S1B, glutamic-acid-specific endopeptidases. Serine proteases or serine peptidases is a subgroup of proteases characterised by having a serine in the active site, which forms a covalent adduct with the substrate. Further the RP-II proteases (and the serine proteases) are characterised by having two active site amino acid residues apart from the serine, namely a histidine and an aspartic acid residue.

The RP-II proteases have a homology to the rest of the S1B protease family of around 50% (using the UWGCG version 8 software GAP program), or more preferred a homology higher than 55%. Table 1 demonstrate homologies between various S1B proteases. The RP-II proteases, nos. 1 to 8, are in Table 1 indicated in bold and the other S1B proteases, nos. 9 to 13, in bold italics. Table 1 shows that there is a clear distinction to the RP-II proteases from the other S1B proteases, but it is also clear that among the RP-II proteases there are subgroups. One subgroup comprises nos. 1, 2, and 3; and another subgroup comprises nos. 4, 5, and 6. The lengths of the listed RP-II proteases vary from 215 to 222 amino acid residues and experience within the subtilisin subgroups of subtilases indicates that such a variation in length probably has only little effect on the 3-dimensional structures of these and other RP-II protease subgroups.

Parent

The term “parent” is in the context of the present invention to be understood as a protein, which is modified to create a protein variant. The parent protein may be a naturally occurring (wild-type) polypeptide or it may be a variant thereof prepared by any suitable means. For instance, the parent protein may be a variant of a naturally occurring protein which has been modified by substitution, chemical modification, deletion or truncation of one or more amino acid residues, or by addition or insertion of one or more amino acid residues to the amino acid sequence, of a naturally-occurring polypeptide. Thus the term “parent RP-II protease” refers to a RP-II protease which is modified to create a RP-II protease variant.

Variant

The term “variant” is in the context of the present invention to be understood as a protein which has been modified as compared to a parent protein at one or more amino acid residues.

Modification

The term “modification(s)” or “modified” is in the context of the present invention to be understood as to include chemical modification of a protein as well as genetic manipulation of the DNA encoding a protein. The modification(s) may be replacement(s) of the amino acid side chain(s), substitution(s), deletion(s) and/or insertions in or at the amino acid(s) of interest. Thus the term “modified protein”, e.g. “modified RP-II protease”, is to be understood as a protein which contains modification(s) compared to a parent protein, e.g. RP-II protease.

Homology

“Homology” or “homologous to” is in the context of the present invention to be understood in its conventional meaning and the “homology” between two amino acid sequences should be determined by use of the “Similarity” parameter defined by the GAP program from the University of Wisconsin Genetics Computer Group (UWGCG) package using default settings for alignment parameters, comparison matrix, gap and gap extension penalties. Default values for GAP penalties, i.e. GAP creation penalty of 3.0 and GAP extension penalty of 0.1 (Program Manual for the Wisconsin Package, Version 8, August 1994, Genetics Computer Group, 575 Science Drive, Madison, Wis., USA 53711). The method is also described in S. B. Needleman and C. D. Wunsch, Journal of Molecular Biology, 48, 443-445 (1970). Identities can be extracted from the same calculation. The homology between two amino acid sequences can also be determined by “identity” or “similarity” using the GAP routine of the UWGCG package version 9.1 with default setting for alignment parameters, comparison matrix, gap and gap extension penalties can also be applied using the following parameters: gap creation penalty=8 and gap extension penalty=8 and all other parameters kept at their default values. The output from the routine is besides the amino acid alignment the calculation of the “Percent Identity” and the “Similarity” between the two sequences. The numbers calculated using UWGCG package version 9.1 is slightly different from the version 8.

Naming of RP-II Proteases

In describing the RP-II proteases of the invention the following abbreviations are used for ease of reference:

BLC=RP-II protease from Bacillus licheniformis (U.S. Pat. No. 4,266,031),

AA513=RP-II protease from Bacillus halmapalus AA513 (WO 01/16285),

AC116=RP-II protease from Bacillus licheniformis AC116 (WO 01/16285)

BO32=RP-II protease from Bacillus pumilus BO32 (WO 01/16285),

CDJ31=RP-II protease from Bacillus licheniformis CDJ31 (WO 01/16285),

JA96=RP-II protease from Bacillus pumilus JA96 (WO 01/16285),

MPR=RP-II protease from Bacillus subtilis IS75 (EP 369 817 B1)

BIP=RP-II protease from B. intermedius (Rebrikov et al., Journal of Protein Chemistry, Vol. 18, No. 1, 1999)

Sequence Listing

In the appended Sequence Listing the RP-II proteases are indicated as:

SEQ. ID. NO. 1=BLC (DNA), SEQ. ID. NO. 2=BLC (AA),

SEQ. ID. NO. 3=AA513 (DNA), SEQ. ID. NO. 4=AA513 (AA),

SEQ. ID. NO. 5=AC116 (DNA), SEQ. ID. NO. 6=AC116 (AA)

SEQ. ID. NO. 7=BO32 (DNA), SEQ. ID. NO. 8=BO32 (AA)

SEQ. ID. NO. 9=CDJ31 (DNA), SEQ. ID. NO. 10=CDJ31 (AA)

SEQ. ID. NO. 11=JA96 (DNA), SEQ. ID. NO. 12=JA96 (AA)

SEQ. ID. NO. 13=BSMPR (DNA), SEQ. ID. NO. 14=BSMPR (AA)

SEQ. ID. NO. 15=BIP (DNA), SEQ. ID. NO. 16=BIP (AA)

Position

The term “position” is in the context of the present invention to be understood as the number of an amino acid residue in a peptide, polypeptide or protein when counting from the N-terminal end of said peptide/polypeptide. The position numbers used here normally refer directly to different RP-II proteases.

The RP-II proteases are numbered individually according to each of SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, and 16.

Corresponding Position

The invention, however, is not limited to variants of these particular RP-II proteases but extends to parent proteases containing amino acid residues at positions which are “equivalent” to the particular identified residues in Bacillus licheniformis RP-II protease. In some preferred embodiment of the present invention, the parent protease is JA96 or BIP RP-II protease and the substitutions are made at the equivalent amino acid residue positions in JA96 or BIP corresponding to those listed above.

A residue (amino acid) position of a RP-II protease is equivalent to a residue (position) of the Bacillus licheniformis RP-II protease if it is either homologous (i.e., corresponding in position in either primary or tertiary structure) or analogous to a specific residue or portion of that residue in Bacillus licheniformis RP-II protease (i.e., having the same or similar functional capacity to combine, react, or interact chemically).

In order to establish homology to primary structure, the amino acid sequence of a precursor protease is directly compared to the Bacillus licheniformis RP-II protease, BLC, primary sequence by aligning the amino acid sequence of an isolated or parent wild type enzyme with a suitable well-known enzyme of the same group or class of enzymes defines a frame of reference. This type of numbering was used in WO 01/16285.

If nothing else is indicated herein, in the present instance the Bacillus licheniformis RP-II protease, first designated component C and therefore here abbreviated BLC, has been chosen as standard.

In order to establish homology to the tertiary structure (3D structure) of BLC, the 3D structure based alignment in FIG. 2 has been provided. By using this alignment the amino acid sequence of a precursor RP-II protease may be directly correlated to the Bacillus licheniformis RP-II protease, BLC, primary sequence. For a novel RP-II protease sequence, the (3D based) position corresponding to a position in BLC is found by

i) identifying the RP-II protease from the alignment of FIG. 2 that is most homologous to the novel sequence, ii) aligning the novel sequence with the sequence identified to find the corresponding position in the RP-II protease from FIG. 2 , and iii) establishing from FIG. 2 the corresponding position in BLC.

For comparison and finding the most homologous sequence the GAP program from GCG package as described below are used.

The alignment can as indicated above be obtained by the GAP routine of the GCG package version 8 to number the variants using the following parameters: gap creation penalty=3 and gap extension penalty=0.1 and all other parameters kept at their default values.

The alignment of FIG. 2 defines a number of deletions and insertions in relation to the sequence of BLC. In the alignment deletions are indicated by asterixes (*) in the referenced sequence, and the referenced enzyme will be considered to have a gap at the position in question. Insertions are indicated by asterixes (*) in the BLC sequence, and the positions in the referenced enzyme are given as the position number of the last amino acid residue where a corresponding amino acid residue exists in the standard enzyme with a lower case letter appended in alphabetical order, e.g. 82a, 82b, 82c, 82d, see FIG. 2 .

In case the referenced enzyme contains a N- or C-terminal extension in comparison to BLC; an N-terminal extension is given the position number 0a, 0b, etc. in the direction of the N-terminal; and a C-terminal extension will be given either the position number of the C-terminal amino acid residue of BLC with a lower case letter appended in alphabetical order, or simply a continued consecutive numbering.

Thus for comparisons RP-II proteases are numbered by reference to the positions of the BLC RP-II protease (SEQ ID NO: 2) as provided in FIG. 2 . The position is then indicated as “corresponding to BLC”.

The inventors of the present invention have elucidated the three-dimensional structure of BLC, SEQ ID NO:2 by X-ray crystallography and found that there are several interesting features in the structure of this protease in comparison with the known structures of other proteases, such as the RP-II proteases. These features include both similarities and differences.

RP-II Proteases

As described above a RP-II protease is in the context of the present invention to be understood as a protease which has at least 50% homology to BLC (SEQ ID NO:2). In particular said protease may have at least 55% homology to BLC, i.e. to SEQ ID NO:2. The invention thus relates to variant RP-II proteases having at least 50% homology to BLC.

Specifically the variants of the invention may comprise RP-II proteases comprising a number of modifications or modifications in a number of positions ranging from at least one and up to 50, or from 1 to 45, or from 1 to 40, or from 1 to 35, or from 1 to 30, or from 1 to 25, or from 1 to 20, or from 1 to 15, or from 1 to 14, or from 1 to 13, or from 1 to 12, or from 1 to 11, or from 1 to 10, or from 1 to 9, or from 1 to 8, or from 1 to 7, or from 1 to 6, or from 1 to 5, or from 1 to 4, or from 1 to 3, or from 1 to 2 modifications or positions. Such modifications comprising substitutions, deletions and insertions in the indicated number or number of positions.

A RP-II protease variant of the present invention is encoded by an isolated polynucleotide, which nucleic acid sequence has at least 50% homology with the nucleic acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1, and where the polynucleotide encodes a variant RP-II protease in relation to a parent protease.

In a first embodiment of the present invention a RP-II protease suitable for the purpose described herein may be a RP-II protease homologous to the three-dimensional structure of BLC, i.e. it may be homologous to the three-dimensional structure defined by the structure coordinates in Appendix 1 by comprising the structural elements defined below.

It is well-known to a person skilled in the art that a set of structure coordinates for a protein or a portion thereof is a relative set of points that define a shape in three dimensions; it is possible that an entirely different set of coordinates defines an identical or a similar shape. Moreover, slight variations in the individual coordinates may have little or no effect on the overall shape.

These variations in coordinates may be generated because of mathematical manipulations of the structure coordinates. For example, the structure coordinates of Appendix 1 (BLC structure) may be manipulated by crystallographic permutations of the structure coordinates, fractionalization of the structure coordinates, integer additions or subtractions to sets of the structure coordinates, inversion of the structure coordinates or any combination of the above. Alternatively, said variations may be due to differences in the primary amino acid sequence.

When such variations are within an acceptable standard error as compared to the structure coordinates of Appendix 1 said three-dimensional structure is within the context of the present invention to be understood as being homologous to the structure of Appendix 1. The standard error may typically be measured as the root mean square deviation of e.g. conserved backbone residues, where the term “root mean square deviation” (RMS) means the square root of the arithmetic mean of the squares of the deviations from the mean.

It is also well-known to a person skilled in the art that within a group of proteins which have a homologous structure there may be variations in the three-dimensional structure in certain areas or domains of the structure, e.g. loops, which are not, or at least only of a small importance to the functional domains of the structure, but which may result in a big root mean square deviation of the conserved residue backbone atoms between said structures.

Thus it is well known that a set of structure coordinates is unique to the crystallised protein. No other three dimensional structure will have the exact same set of coordinates, be it a homologous structure or even the same protein crystallised in different manner. There are natural fluctuations in the coordinates. The overall structure and the inter-atomic relationship can be found to be similar. The similarity can be discussed in terms of root mean square deviation of each atom of a structure from each “homologous” atom of another structure. However, only identical proteins have the exact same number of atoms. Therefore, proteins having a similarity below 100% will often have a different number of atoms, and thus the root mean square deviation can not be calculated on all atoms, but only the ones that are considered “homologous”. A precise description of the similarity based on the coordinates is thus difficult to describe and difficult to compute for homologous proteins. Regarding the present invention, similarities in 3D structure of different RP-II proteases can be described by the content of homologous structural elements, and/or the similarity in amino acid or DNA sequence

Examples of BLC like RP-II proteases include the BLC=RP-II protease from Bacillus licheniformis (cf. U.S. Pat. No. 4,266,031), AA513=RP-II protease from Bacillus halmapalus AA513 (NP000368), AC116=RP-II protease from Bacillus licheniformis AC116 (NP000364), BO32=RP-II protease from Bacillus pumilus BO32 (NP000366), CDJ31=RP-II protease from Bacillus licheniformis CDJ31 (NP000365), JA96=RP-II protease from Bacillus pumilus JA96 (NP000367), MPR=RP-II protease from Bacillus subtilis IS75 (cf. EP 369 817 B1), BIP=RP-II protease from B. intermedius (EMBL No. Y5136, Rebrikov et al., Journal of Protein Chemistry, Vol. 18, No. 1, 1999)

Accordingly, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is a variant of a parent RP-II protease or a RP-II protease variant which is at least 50% homologous to the sequence of SEQ ID NO 2 preferably at least 55%, preferably at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 74%, at least 80%, at least 83%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98% or at least 99% homologous to the sequence of SEQ ID NO:2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 or 16.

A further embodiment of the invention is a RP-II protease variant comprising the following structural characteristics:

a) two beta-barrel domains each comprising six long strands in antiparallel organisation, b) three alpha helices, c) at least one ion-binding site, d) an active site comprising the amino acid residues His, Asp and Ser.

The potential ion binding site is defined as similar coordination or arrangement of the coordinates as in the 3D structure of BLC having one calcium ion coordinated by the Ile 3 carbonyl atom O, the Ser 5 carbonyl atom O and bidendate by the Asp 161 Carboxyl acid group and the further coordination made by waters. The calcium may be substituted in the structure by water but then having the same coordination.

The RP-II protease variants of the present invention are encoded by isolated polynucleotides, which nucleic acid sequence has at least 45%, at least 50%, at least 55%, at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99% homology with the nucleic acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, or 15, and where the polynucleotide encodes a variant RP-II protease in relation to a parent protease.

Further the isolated nucleic acid sequence encoding a RP-II protease variant of the invention hybridizes with a complementary strand of the nucleic acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 preferably under low stringency conditions, at least under medium stringency conditions, at least under medium/high stringency conditions, at least under high stringency conditions, at least under very high stringency conditions.

Suitable experimental conditions for determining hybridization at low, medium, or high stringency between a nucleotide probe and a homologous DNA or RNA sequence involves presoaking of the filter containing the DNA fragments or RNA to hybridize in 5×SSC (Sodium chloride/Sodium citrate, Sambrook et al. 1989) for 10 min, and prehybridization of the filter in a solution of 5×SSC, 5×Denhardt's solution (Sambrook et al. 1989), 0.5% SDS and 100 μg/ml of denatured sonicated salmon sperm DNA (Sambrook et al. 1989), followed by hybridization in the same solution containing a concentration of 10 ng/ml of a random-primed (Feinberg, A. P. and Vogelstein, B. (1983) Anal. Biochem. 132:6-13), 32 P-dCTP-labeled (specific activity>1×10 9 cpm/μg) probe for 12 hours at ca. 45° C. The filter is then washed twice for 30 minutes in 2×SSC, 0.5% SDS at least 55° C. (low stringency), more preferably at least 60° C. (medium stringency), still more preferably at least 65° C. (medium/high stringency), even more preferably at least 70° C. (high stringency), and even more preferably at least 75° C. (very high stringency).

Three-Dimensional Structure of RP-II Proteases

The BLC RP-II protease was used to elucidate the three-dimensional structure forming the basis for the present invention.

The structure of BLC was solved in accordance with the principle for x-ray crystallographic methods, for example, as given in X-Ray Structure Determination, Stout, G. K. and Jensen, L. H., John Wiley & Sons, Inc. NY, 1989.

The structural coordinates for the solved crystal structure of BLC are given in standard PDB format (Protein Data Bank, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Brookhaven, Conn.) as set forth in Appendix 1. It is to be understood that Appendix 1 forms part of the present application. In the context of Appendix 1, the following abbreviations are used: CA refers to c-alpha (carbon atoms) or to calcium ions, (however to avoid misunderstandings we normally use the full names “c-alpha atoms”, “calcium” “Ca” or “ion” in the present specification). Amino acid residues are given in their standard three-letter code or the standard one-letter code. The structural coordinates in Appendix 1 contain the protease structure wherein the active serine was replaced by alanine and a complex formed with the peptide DAFE (=Asp-Ala-Phe-Glu) as well as water molecules. The protease coordinates has a chain identification called A, whereas the peptide is called B, the calcium ion is called C, and the water is W. In the following the positions of the mentioned residues refer to the sequence of BLC as disclosed in SEQ ID NO: 2.

The overall structure of BLC falls into the 51 group of the proteases (MEROPS). The structure is a trypsin type of fold with two beta-barrel domains. The beta-barrel's each consists of six antiparallel beta-sheets folded into a beta-barrel. The topology can be described as 51-S2-S3-S6-S5-S4 for the strands in both beta-barrels. It is assumed that all the RP-II proteases fall within the same general overall structure.

The 3D structure of C-component serine protease from Bacillus licheniformis has 16 strands of which the 12 bigger strands compose the two beta-barrels; and 3 helixes. The four very short strands are number 1, 5, 6 and 10 counting from the N-terminal and are composed of residue numbers 9-10, 50-51, 56-57 and 114-115. The other strands are residue numbers 22-26, 31-36, 41-44, 62-65, 77-83, 99-102, 126-131, 142-151, 156-159, 171-177, 182-192 and 201-205. One main helix C-terminal residue number 208-219. Two very small helices are composed of residues 86-90 and 106-110.

The active site consists of a triad involving the Ser in position 167, the His in position 47, and the Asp in position 96.

The 3D structure of BLC has one calcium ion coordinated by the carbonyl oxygen atom of Ile in position 3, the carbonyl oxygen atom of Ser in position 5, and bidendate by the Carboxylic acid group of Asp in position 161. Further coordinations are made by water molecules.

The calcium ion is placed in a distance from the CA atoms of the active site and Gly in position 168 as provided below:

Ser 167 CA atom to Ca ion: 16.07 Å

His 47 CA atom to Ca ion: 24.27 Å

Asp 96 CA atom to Ca ion: 23.72 Å

Gly 168 CA atom to Ca ion: 19.20 Å

The position of an ion-binding site can be defined by the distance to four specific atoms in the core structure. The distance from the ion-binding site to the c-alpha atoms of the three active site residues has been chosen. Throughout the RP-II proteases the residues Ser, His and Asp in the active site are highly conserved. In BLC they are Asp96, His47 and Ser167. The fourth distance chosen is the distance to the c-alpha atom of the amino acid residue coming first after the active site serine residue in the sequence (herein after called “next to Ser”); in the 3D structure of BLC it is Gly168.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the distance between the ion-binding site and i) Asp c-alpha atom is 22.50-24.00 Å, ii) His c-alpha atom is 23.25-25.25 Å, iii) Ser c-alpha atom is 15.00-17.00 Å, iv) next to Ser c-alpha atom is 18.20-20.20 Å,

However these distances may vary from one RP-II protease to the other, and as described above, the ion binding site may also bind to a sodium ion. The present distances are given with a calcium ion in the structure. If a sodium ion was bound instead the distances would be shifted a little bit. Generally the distances can vary ±0.8 Å, preferably ±0.7 Å, ±0.6 Å, ±0.5 Å, ±0.4 Å, or most preferably ±0.3 Å.

Further, in the RP-II proteases, the peptide structure circumscribing the ion-binding site is composed of the amino acid residues placed in positions 1-7, 159-162 and 143-145 with the coordinating atoms being the backbone carbonyl oxygen atom of residues 13, S5, D161 and water molecules.

3D structures of RP-II proteases can be modelled using the known structure of a related protease and general modelling tools as shown in Example 1. A prerequisite for obtaining a realistic 3D model structure is that the model is based on an adequate sequence homology higher than 50%, preferably higher than 55%, and even more preferred higher than 60% to the sequence of the protease for which the structure is known. RP-II Protease models can be constructed based on the 3D guided sequence alignments to BLC in FIG. 2 .

Therefore 3D structure models of RP-II proteases could in principle be made by using the modelling tools and the known 3D structure of the toxin A protease from Staphylococcus aureus from the Exf family of proteases (Cavarelli et al. (1997) The Structure of Staphylococcus aureus Epidermolytic Toxin A, an atypic serine protease, at 1.7 Å resolution, Structure, Vol. 5, p. 813 (pdb name 1ARP).

If compared to the structure of the toxin A protease from Staphylococcus aureus , the structure of the RP-II proteases, as represented by BLC, can be divided into a “common protease” region, an “intermediate” region and a “nonhomologous” region.

The active site can be found in the common protease region, which is structurally closely related to the Toxin A structure. The common protease region is composed of residues 58, 70-83. The common protease region has an RMS lower than 1.2.

Outside the common protease region the structure of the RP-II protease BLC differs from the Toxin A structure to a greater extent.

The intermediate region consists of residues 14-28, 29-51, 94-104, 155-175. The intermediate region has an RMS bigger than 1.2 and less than 1.8. Any relationships between the three-dimensional structure and functionality based on modelling from the S. aureus 3D structure are potentially difficult to predict in this region of the RP-II proteases.

The common region and the intermediate region consist of the majority of the two central beta-barrels, especially the strands of the beta-barrels.

The nonhomologous region consists of residues 1-6, 7-13, 52-57, 59-69, 84-88, 89-93, 105-153. The nonhomologous region has a RMS higher than 1.5. Any relationships between the three-dimensional structure and functionality based on modelling from the S. aureus 3D structure are very difficult to predict in this region of the RP-II proteases.

Inferred structure-function relationships based on model building of a RP-II protease 3D structure on the 3D structure of S. aureus Toxin A would thus be very uncertain and speculative.

Homology Building of RP-II Proteases

A model structure of a RP-II protease can be built using the BLC structure in Appendix 1, or a structure similar to the BLC structure comprising the structural elements (a) two beta-barrel domains each comprising six long strands in antiparallel organisation, (b) three alpha helices, (c) at least one low affinity ion-binding site, and (d) an active site comprising the amino acid residues His, Asp and Ser, or other 3D RP-II protease structures, e.g. established by X-ray structure determination, that may become available in the future, and the Homology™ program or a comparable program, e.g., Modeller™ (both from Molecular Simulations, Inc., San Diego, Calif.). The principle is to align the amino acid sequence of a protein for which the 3D structure is known with the amino acid sequence of a protein for which a model 3D structure has to be constructed. The structurally conserved regions can then be built on the basis of consensus sequences. In areas lacking homology, loop structures can be inserted, or sequences can be deleted with subsequent bonding of the necessary residues using, e.g., the program Homology. Subsequent relaxation and optimization of the structure should be done using either Homology or another molecular simulation program, e.g., CHARMm™ from Molecular Simulations.

Methods for Designing BLC and RP-II or Sib Family Protease Variants

Comparisons of the molecular dynamics of different proteins can give a hint as to which domains are important or connected to certain properties pertained by each protein.

The present invention comprises a method of producing a variant of a parent BLC like RP-II protease, the variant having at least one altered property as compared to the parent BLC like RP-II protease, the method comprising:

a) producing a model structure of the parent BLC like RP-II protease on the three-dimensional structure of BLC, b) comparing the model three-dimensional structure of the parent BLC like RP-II protease to the BLC structure by superimposing the structures through matching the active residues CA, CB, C, O, and N atoms, c) identifying on the basis of the comparison in step a) at least one structural part of the parent BLC like RP-II protease, wherein an alteration in said structural part is predicted to result in an altered property; d) modifying the nucleic acid sequence encoding the parent BLC like RP-II protease to produce a nucleic acid sequence encoding deletion or substitution of one or more amino acids at a position corresponding to said structural part, or an insertion of one or more amino acid residues in positions corresponding to said structural part; e) expressing the modified nucleic acid sequence in a host cell to produce the variant RP-II protease; f) isolating the produced protease; g) purifying the isolated protease and h) recovering the purified RP-II protease.

Stability—Alteration of Ion-Binding Site

An ion-binding site is a significant feature of an enzyme. Therefore alterations of the amino acid residues close to the ion-binding site are likely to result in alterations of the stability of the enzyme. Especially modifications affecting the charge distribution and/or the electrostatic field strength at or in the vicinity of the site are important.

Improved Stability

Stabilisation of the ion-binding site of RP-II proteases may be obtained by modifications in positions close to the ion binding site.

Such modifications may comprise the substitution of a positively charged amino acid residue with a neutral or negatively charged residue, or the substitution of a neutral residue with a negatively charged residue or the deletion of a positively charged or neutral residue in positions close to the ion binding site.

Positions located at a distance of 10 Å or less to the ion-binding site of BLC are: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 143, 144, 145, 146, 158, 159, 160, 161, 162, 194, 199, 200, and 201. Especially positions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 144, 159, 160, 161 located at a distance of 6 Å or less from the ion binding site are important.

Corresponding positions in other RP-II proteases may be identified using FIG. 2 herein.

The modifications D7E and D7Q in BLC are examples of suitable modifications in one of these positions.

Removal of Ion-Binding Site in BLC

By removing the ion-binding site it is possible to alter the dependency of the enzyme on calcium or other ions in the solution.

Removal of the Calcium site in BLC can be done by the substitutions H144R and/or D161R,K+H144Q,N (SEQ ID NO: 2). Similar modifications may be made in structurally corresponding residues in other RP-II proteases.

Alteration of Thermostability

A variant with improved stability (typically increased thermostability) may be obtained by modification of the mobility of identified regions, such as by introduction of disulfide bond(s), substitution with proline, alteration of hydrogen bond contact(s), altering charge distribution, introduction of salt bridge(s), filling in internal structural cavities with one or more amino acids with bulkier side groups (in e.g. regions which are structurally mobile), substitution of histidine residues with other amino acids, removal of a deamidation sites, or by helix capping.

Regions with Increased Mobility:

The below indicated regions of BLC have an increased mobility in the crystal structure of the enzyme, and it is presently believed that these regions can be responsible for stability or activity of BLC and the other RP-II proteases. Especially thermostabilisation may be obtained by altering the highly mobile regions. Generally, thermostability may be improved by making these regions less mobile. Improvements of the enzyme may be obtained by making modifications in the regions and positions identified below. Introducing e.g. larger residues or residues having more atoms in the side chain could increase the stability, or, e.g., introduction of residues having fewer atoms in the side chain could be important for the mobility and thus the activity profile of the enzyme. The regions can be found by analysing the B-factors taken from the coordinate file in Appendix 1, and/or from molecular dynamics calculations of the isotropic fluctuations. These can be obtained by using the program CHARMm from MSI (Molecular Simulations Inc.).

Molecular dynamics simulation at 300K and 400K of BLC reveals the following highly mobile regions:

26-31, 50-55, 89-91, and 193-198, and 4-5, 11-12, 26-31, 50-55, 69-70, 89-91, 178-183, 195-199 and 216-221, respectively.

It is contemplated that modifications in these regions may influence the thermostability of RP-II proteases. Modifications are preferably made in the regions 26-31 (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31); 89-91 (89, 90, 91); 216-221 (216, 217, 218, 219, 220, 221), and especially in BLC the substitutions G30A and G91A. Similar modifications may be made in structurally corresponding residues in other RP-II proteases.

Also B-factors (see “in X-Ray Structure Determination, Stout, G. K. and Jensen, L. H., John Wiley & Sons, Inc. NY, 1989”) from crystallographic data indicate the following more mobile regions in the BLC (RP-II protease) structure:

51-56, (i.e. 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56)

88-94, (i.e. 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94)

118-122 (I.e. 118, 119, 120, 121, 122)

173-183 (i.e. 173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 181, 182, 183)

It is contemplated that modifications in these regions may influence the thermostability of RP-II proteases. Modifications are preferably made in the regions 51-56 and 118-122.

Disulfide Bonds:

A RP-II protease variant of the present invention with improved stability, e.g. thermostability, as compared to the parent RP-II protease may be obtained by introducing new interdomain or intra-domain bonds to provide a more rigid and stable structure, such as by establishing inter- or intra-domain disulfide bridges. This is done by introducing cysteines in appropriate positions in the RP-II molecule by substitution(s) or insertion(s).

According to the guidelines mentioned above the below mentioned amino acid residues identified in the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2 are contemplated as being suitable for cysteine replacement. With one or more of these substitutions with cysteine, disulfide bridges may form in a variant of BLC. A stabilising disulfide bridge may be constructed through the substitutions: S145C and T128C

Surface Charge Distribution

A variant with improved stability (typically improved thermostability or storage stability) as compared to the parent RP-II protease may be obtained by changing the surface charge distribution of the RP-II protease. For example, when the pH is lowered to about 5 or below, histidine residues typically become positively charged and, consequently, unfavorable electrostatic interactions on the protein surface may occur. By engineering the surface charge of the RP-II protease one may avoid such unfavorable electrostatic interactions that in turn may lead to a higher stability of the RP-II protease.

Charged amino acid residues are (a) positively charged: Lys, Arg, His (pH<5), Tyr (pH>9) and Cys (pH>10) and (b) negatively charged: Asp and Glu.

The surface charge distribution may be modified by (a) removing charged residues from the surface through deletion of a charged residue or substituting an uncharged residue for a charged residue, (b) adding charged residues to the surface through insertion of a charged residue or substituting a charged residue for an uncharged residue, or (c) by reverting the charge at a residue through substituting a positively charged residue for a negatively charged residue or substituting a negatively charged residue for a positively charged residue.

Therefore, a further aspect of the present invention relates to a method for constructing a variant of a parent RP-II protease having a modified surface charge distribution, the method comprising:

a) identifying, on the surface of the parent RP-II protease, at least one charged amino acid residue; b) modifying the charged residue identified in step (a) through deletion or substitution with an uncharged amino acid residue; c) optionally repeating steps a) and b) recursively; d) preparing the variant resulting from steps a)-c); e) testing the stability of said variant; and f) optionally repeating steps a)-e) recursively; and g) selecting a RP-II protease variant having increased stability as compared to the parent RP-II protease.

As will be understood by the skilled person it may also, in some cases, be advantageous to substitute an uncharged amino acid residue with an amino acid residue bearing a charge or, alternatively, it may in some cases be advantageous to substitute an amino acid residue bearing a charge with an amino acid residue bearing a charge of opposite sign. Thus, the above-mentioned method may be employed by the skilled person also for these purposes. In the case of substituting an uncharged amino acid residue with an amino acid residue bearing a charge the above-mentioned method may be employed the only difference being steps a) and b) which will then read:

a) identifying, on the surface of the parent RP-II protease, at least one position being occupied by an uncharged amino acid residue; b) modifying the charge in that position by substituting the uncharged amino acid residue with a charged amino acid residue or by insertion of a charged amino acid residue at the position.

Also in the case of changing the sign of an amino acid residue present on the surface of the RP-II protease the above method may be employed. Again, compared to the above method, the only difference being steps a) and b) which, in this case, read:

a) identifying, on the surface of the parent RP-II protease, at least one charged amino acid residue; b) substituting the charged amino acid residue identified in step (a) with an amino acid residue having an opposite charge.

In order to determine the amino acid residues of a protease, which are present on the surface of the enzyme, the surface accessible area are measured using the DSSP program (Kabsch and Sander, Biopolymers (1983), 22, 2577-2637). All residues having a surface accessibility higher than 0, 0.10, 0.20, 0.30, 0.35, 0.40, 0.45, 0.50, 0.55 or 0.60 are regarded a surface residue.

An amino acid residue found on the surface of BLC using the above method is T109 and it is contemplated that the substitutions T109R, K, H are of particular interest.

Similar substitutions may be introduced in equivalent positions of other RP-II proteases.

For the purpose of providing RP-II protease variants exhibiting improved wash performance it is possible to modify the pl of the RP-II protease through modification of the surface charge as indicated in WO 91/00345 (Novozymes A/S) and/or WO 99/20771 (Genencor International, Inc.)

Especially changing the pl of the RP-II protease is of interest

Changes in BLC:

T109R, K, H

Q143R, K, H

E209Q, N

D7N, S, T

Q174R, K, H

N216R, K, H

Y17R, K, H

Y95R, K, H

Corresponding modifications may be performed in corresponding positions of other RP-II proteases.

Substitution with Proline Residues

Improved thermostability of a RP-II protease can be obtained by subjecting the RP-II protease in question to analysis for secondary structure, identifying residues in the RP-II protease having dihedral angles φ (phi) and ψ (psi) confined to the intervals [−90°<φ<−40° and −180°<ψ−<180°], preferably the intervals [−90°<φ<−40° and 120°<ψ<180°] or [−90°<φ<−40° and −50°<ψ<10°] and excluding residues located in regions in which the RP-II protease is characterized by possessing α-helical or β-sheet structure.

After the dihedral angles φ (phi) and ψ (psi) for the amino acids have been calculated, based on the atomic structure in the crystalline RP-II proteases, it is possible to select position(s) which has/have dihedral phi and psi angles favourable for substitution with a proline residue. The aliphatic side chain of proline residues is bonded covalently to the nitrogen atom of the peptide group. The resulting cyclic five-membered ring consequently imposes a rigid constraint on the rotation about the N—C α bond of the peptide backbone and simultaneously prevents the formation of hydrogen bonding to the backbone N-atom. For these structural reasons, proline residues are generally not compatible with α-helical and β-sheet secondary conformations.

If a proline residue is not already at the identified position(s), the naturally occurring amino acid residue is substituted with a proline residue, preferably by site directed mutagenesis applied on a gene encoding the RP-II protease in question.

In the group of BLC-like proteases proline residues can be introduced at positions 18, 115, 185, 269 and 293. Accordingly, a preferred BLC variant has one or more of the substitutions: T60P, S221P, G193P, and V194P.

Alteration of Activity:

Amino acid residues at a distance of less than 10 Å from the active site residues are most likely to influence the specificity and activity of the RP-II proteases, therefore variants comprising modifications in positions 1, 8, 22-35 (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35), 42-58 (42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58), 82-100 (82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100), 129-135 (1129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135), 141-142, 153-156 (153, 154, 155, 156), 158, 161-171 (161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 167, 168, 169, 170, 171), 188-193 (188, 189, 190, 191, 192, 193), 195, 201-207 (201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207), 210, 213-214, 217 may provide a change in activity and/or specificity of the RP-II protease variant.

Substrate Binding Site

The substrate binding site is identified by the residues in contact with a substrate model, such as the DAFE. The 3D structure coordinates of the BLC protease with DAFE bound in the active site can be found in Appendix 1. Without being limited to any theory, it is presently believed that binding between a substrate and an enzyme is supported by favorable interactions found within a sphere 10 Å from the substrate molecule, in particular within a sphere of 6 Å from the substrate molecule. Examples of such favorable bonds are hydrogen bonds, strong electrostatic interaction and/or hydrophobic interactions.

The following residues of the BLC protease (SEQ ID NO:1), are within a distance of 10 Å from the peptide DAFE and thus believed to be involved in interactions with said substrate: 1, 2, 3, 8, 25, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 129, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 155, 157, 158, 159, 160, 161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 167, 168, 169, 171, 189, 190, 191, 192, 193, 194, 195, 196, 197, 198, 200 and 204.

The following residues of the BLC protease (SEQ ID NO: 1), are within a distance of 6 Å from the peptide DAFE and thus believed to be involved in interactions with said substrate: 1, 2, 31, 32, 47, 48, 88, 91, 93, 96, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 167, 168, 190, 191, 192, 193, 194, 195, and 201.

Helix Capping:

For the RP-II proteases helix capping may be obtained by modifying the position structurally corresponding to position 221 in BLC, and specifically in BLC by the modification A221N,T

Removal of Deamidation Sites

For the RP-II proteases, removal of deamidation sites may be obtained by modifying the positions structurally corresponding to positions 213, 216, and 222 of BLC, and specifically in BLC by the modifications.

N213A,C,D,E,F,G,H,I,K,L,P,Q,R,S,T,V,Y,M,W preferably N213L,T,S

N216A,C,D,E,F,G,H,I,K,L,P,Q,R,S,T,V,Y,M,W preferably N216L,T,S

N222A,C,D,E,F,G,H,I,K,L,P,Q,R,S,T,V,Y,M,W preferably N222L,T,S

Combined Modifications

The present invention also encompasses any of the above mentioned RP-II protease variants in combination with any other modification to the amino acid sequence thereof. Especially combinations with other modifications known in the art to provide improved properties to the enzyme are envisaged. Such modifications to be combined with any of the above indicated modifications are exemplified in the following.

Removal of Critical Oxidation Sites

In order to increase the stability of the RP-II protease it may be advantageous to substitute or delete critical oxidation sites, such as methionines, with other amino acid residues which are not subject to oxidation.

Accordingly, in a further embodiment the present invention relates to an RP-II protease variant, in which one or more amino acid residues susceptible to oxidation, especially methionine residues exposed to the surface of the molecule, is/are deleted or replaced with another amino acid residue less susceptible to oxidation. The amino acid residue less susceptible to oxidation may for instance be selected from the group consisting of A, E, N, Q, I, L, S and K.

Specific such variants comprises at least one of the deletions or substitutions M36{*,S,A,N,Q,K}; M160{*,S,A,N,Q,K} of the BLC protease; M144{*,S,A,N,Q,K} of the AC116 and CDJ31 proteases; M67{*,S,A,N,Q,K}, M79{*,S,A,N,Q,K}, M137{*,S,A,N,Q,K}, M144{*,S,A,N,Q,K}, and M171{*,S,A,N,Q,K} of the BO32, BIP and JA96 proteases; M159{*,S,A,N,Q,K} of the BO32 protease; M81{*,S,A,N,Q,K}, and M141{*,S,A,N,Q,K} in the MPR protease; and M17{*,S,A,N,Q,K}, M67{*,S,A,N,Q,K}, M144{*,S,A,N,Q,K}, M160{*,S,A,N,Q,K}, M186{*,S,A,N,Q,K}, and M217{*,S,A,N,Q,K} of the AA513 protease (positions are indicated in relation to the BLC protease as indicated in FIG. 2 ).

Modification of Asn-Gly Sequences in the Protease

It is known that at alkaline pH, the side chain of Asn may interact with the NH group of a sequential neighboring amino acid to form an isoAsp residue where the backbone goes through the Asp side chain. This will leave the backbone more vulnerable to proteolysis. The deamidation is much more likely to occur if the residue that follows is a Gly. Changing the Asn in front of the Gly or the Gly will prevent this from happening and thus improve the stability, especially as concerns thermo- and storage stability.

The invention consequently further relates to an RP-II protease variant, in which either or both residues of any of the Asn-Gly sequence appearing in the amino acid sequence of the parent RP-II protease is/are deleted or substituted with a residue of a different amino acid.

The Asn and/or Gly residue may, for instance, be substituted with a residue of an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, Q, S, P, T and Y.

More specifically, any of the Asn or Gly residues of the Asn-Gly occupying positions 68-69, 182-183 and/or 192-193 of the BLC protease; positions 68-69 and/or 192-193 of the AC116 and CDJ-31 proteases, positions 45-46, 74-75, 196-197, and/or 201-202 of the BO32, JA96 and BIP proteases, positions 68-69, 103-104 and/or 192-196 of the MPR protease; and positions 90-91 and/or 201-202 of the AA513 protease, may be deleted or substituted with a residue of an amino acid selected from the group consisting of A, Q, S, P, T and Y. (positions are indicated in relation to the BLC protease as indicated in FIG. 2 )

Specific Variants of BLC are:

N68{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}; G69{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}

N68{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}+G69{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}

N182{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}; G183{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}

N182{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}+G183{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}

N192{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}; G193{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}

N192{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}+G193{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}

and combinations thereof.

Specific Variants of the AC116 and CDJ-31 Proteases are:

N68{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}; G69{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}

N68{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}+G69{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}

N192{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}; G193{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}

N192{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}+G193{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}

N68{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}+N192{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}

and combinations thereof.

Specific Variants of BO32, JA96 and BIP Proteases are:

N45{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}; G46{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}

N45{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}+G46{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}

N74{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}; G75{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}

N74{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}+G75{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}

N196{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}; G197{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}

N196{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}+G197{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}

N201{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}; G202{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}

N201{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}+G202{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}

N45{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}+N74{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}

N45{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}+N196{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}

N45{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}+N201{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}

N74{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}+N196{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}

N74{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}+N201{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}

N196{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}+N201{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}

N45{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}+N74{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}+N196{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}

N45{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}+N74{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}+N201{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}

N45{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}+N196{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}+N201{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}

N74{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}+N196{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}+N201{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}

N45{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}+N74{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}+N196{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}+N201{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}

and combinations thereof.

Specific Variants of AA513 are:

N90{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}; G91{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}

N90{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}+G91{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}

N201{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}; G202{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}

N201{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}+G202{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}

N90{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}+N201{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}

and combinations thereof.

Specific Variants of MPR are:

N68{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}; G69{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}

N68{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}+G69{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}

N103{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}; G104{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}

N103{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}+G104{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}

N192{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}; G196{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}

N192{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}+G196{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}

N68{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}+N103{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}

N68{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}+N192{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}

N103{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}+N192{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}

N68{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}+N103{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}+N192{*,A,Q,S,P,T,Y}

and combinations thereof.

Removal of Autoproteolysis Sites

According to a further aspect of the invention autoproteolysis sites may be removed by changing the amino acids at an autoproteolysis site. Since the RP-II proteases cleaves at Glu and Asp residues it is preferred to modify such residues of a parent RP-II protease having the same or a similar specificity, preferably by substituting with any other amino acid except Glu.

The parent RP-II proteases are mostly specific towards Glu and to a minor extent towards Asp residues. Therefore the modification of the parent (trypsin-like) RP-II protease may preferably be made by changing Glu to another amino acid residue (including Asp). Experiments have indicated that the substitution of Ala for Glu or Asp provides good results.

Glu and Asp residue are in the BLC, CDJ31 and AC116 proteases found in positions E101, E152, E173, E209, D6, D51, D96, D135, D161, and D212. BLC has a further Glu in position E104 and Asp in D7.

Specific BLC, CDJ31 and AC116 variants are thus E101A, E152A, E173A, E209A, D6A, D51A, D135A, D161A, D212A, and double, triple, quadruple, etc. combinations thereof. Further specific BLC variants are E104A and D7A.

In JA96, BO32 and BIP Glu and Asp are found at positions E81, E143, E151, E209, D5, D6, D69, D96, D103, D135, D152, D161, and D173.

Specific JA96, BO32 and BIP variants are thus E81A, E143A, E151A, E202A, D5A, D6A, D69A, D96A, D103A, D135A, D152A, D161A, D173A, and double, triple, quadruple, etc. combinations thereof.

In MPR Glu and Asp are found at positions E7, E89a, E152, D6, D54, D92, D96, D135, D144, D161, D177 and D209

Specific MPR variants are thus E7A, E89aA, E152A, D6A, D54A, D92A, D96A, D135A, D144A, D161A, D177A and D209A, and double, triple, quadruple, etc. combinations thereof.

In AA513 Glu and Asp are found at positions E26, E55, E94, E117, E123, E137b, E199, D40, D96, D103b, D103d, D135, D149, D154, D161, D184 and D209

Specific AA513 variants are thus E26A, E55A, E94A, E117A, E123A, E137bA, E199A, D40A, D96A, D103bA, D103dA, D135A, D149A, D154A, D161A, D184A and D209A, and double, triple, quadruple, etc. combinations thereof.

Corresponding variants are easily identified in any other RP-II protease.

Alternatively autoproteolysis can be prevented by changing the amino acid residue occupying the 1st and/or 2nd position following the Glu or Asp residue in question to Pro. For instance, this may in BLC, CDJ31 and AC116 be done in the positions 174 and/or 175 as follows:

Q174P; S175P; Q174P+5175P

or in a similar manner in JA96, BO32 or BIP at positions 152 and/or 153 as D152P; T153P; or D152P+T153P.

Corresponding variants are easily identified in these and any other RP-II protease.

Modification of Tryptophan Residues

In order to stabilize the protein it may be advantageous to replace or delete tryptophan residues at the surface of the protein, e.g., as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,118,623. The tryptophan residues may advantageously be substituted for F, T, Q or G. Thus, in a further embodiment the invention relates to an RP-II variant comprising one or more of the following substitutions:

BLC and AC116:

W35{F,T,Q,G}; W88{F,T,Q,G}; W142{F,T,Q,G}; W217{F,T,Q,G}

CDJ31:

W142{F,T,Q,G}; W217{F,T,Q,G};

BO32, JA96 and BIP:

W142{F,T,Q,G};

AA513:

W30{F,T,Q,G}; W72{F,T,Q,G}; W142{F,T,Q,G}

W57{F,T,Q,G}; W88{F,T,Q,G}; W112{F,T,Q,G}; W142{F,T,Q,G}; W217{F,T,Q,G}

Modification of Tyrosines

In relation to wash performance it has been found that the modification of certain tyrosine residues to phenylalanine provides an improved wash performance. Without being bound by any specific theory, it is believed that titration of these Tyr residues in the alkaline wash liquor has negative effects that are alleviated by replacing the Tyr residues with other residues, especially Phe or Trp, particularly Phe.

In the BLC, AC116 and CDJ31 parent RP-II proteases, the following tyrosine residues may be modified:

19, 50, 72, 74, 82, 95, 97, 112, 115, 117, 132, 154, 163, 195, 200. In BLC and CDJ31 the tyrosines in positions 17 and 158 may also be modified, and in AC116 and CDJ31 the tyrosines in position 172

Examples of specific variants comprise one or more of the following substitutions:

Y17{F,W}, Y19{F,W}, Y50{F,W}, Y72{F,W}, Y74{F,W}, Y82{F,W}, Y88{F,W}, Y95{F,W}, Y97{F,W}, Y112{F,W}, Y115{F,W}, Y117{F,W}, Y132{F,W}, Y154{F,W}, Y158{F,W}, Y163{F,W}, Y172{F,W}, Y195{F,W}, Y200{F,W}

In the JA96, BO32 and BIP parent RP-II proteases, the following tyrosine residues may be modified:

19, 24, 50, 57, 64, 83, 88, 95, 112, 132, 157, 158, 195, 216

Examples of specific JA96, BO32 and BIP variants comprises one or more of the following substitutions:

Y19{F,W}, Y24{F,W}, Y50{F,W}, Y57{F,W}, Y64{F,W}, Y83{F,W}, Y88{F,W}, Y95{F,W}, Y112{F,W}, Y132{F,W}, Y157{F,W}, Y158{F,W}, Y195{F,W} and Y216{F,W}

In the AA513 parent RP-II protease, the following tyrosine residues may be modified:

24, 74, 77, 84, 88, 97, 130, 132, 158, 163, 193a

Examples of specific AA513 variants comprises one or more of the following substitutions:

Y24{F,W}, Y74{F,W}, Y77{F,W}, Y84{F,W}, Y88{F,W}, Y97{F,W}, Y130{F,W}, Y132{F,W}, Y158{F,W}, Y163{F,W}, Y193A{F,W}

In the MPR parent RP-II protease, the following tyrosine residues may be modified:

19, 28a, 30, 50, 72, 74, 77, 83, 95, 97, 113, 115, 154, 158, 163, 172, 175, 200, 216

Examples of specific MPR variants comprises one or more of the following substitutions:

Y19{F,W}, Y28Ad{F,W}, Y30{F,W}, Y50{F,W}, Y72{F,W}, Y74{F,W}, Y77{F,W}, Y83{F,W}, Y95{F,W}, Y97{F,W}, Y113{F,W}, 115{F,W}, Y154{F,W}, Y158{F,W}, Y163{F,W}, Y172{F,W}, Y175{F,W}, Y200{F,W}, Y216{F,W}

Other Modifications for Combination

Examples of specific BLC variants comprises one or more of the following substitutions:

E152{A,R,K,G}

E173A

E209A

E152G+G164R

Methods of Preparing RP-II Protease Variants

The RP-II protease variants of the present invention may be produced by any known method within the art. The invention also relates to polynucleotides encoding the RP-II protease variants of the present invention, DNA constructs comprising such polynucleotides and host cells comprising such constructs or polynucleotides.

In general natural occurring proteins may be produced by culturing the organism expressing the protein and subsequently purifying the protein, or recombinantly by cloning a polynucleotide, e.g. genomic DNA or cDNA, encoding the protein into an expression vector, introducing said expression vector into a host cell, culturing the host cell and purifying the expressed protein.

Site-Directed Mutagenesis

Typically protein variants may be produced by site-directed mutagenesis of the gene encoding a parent protein, introduction of the mutated gene into an expression vector, host cell etc. The gene encoding the parent protein may be cloned from a strain producing the polypeptide or from an expression library, i.e. it may be isolated from genomic DNA or prepared from cDNA, or a combination thereof. The gene may even be a fully synthetically produced gene.

In general standard procedures for cloning of genes and/or introducing mutations (random and/or site directed) into said genes may be used in order to obtain a parent RP-II protease, or RP-II protease variant of the invention. For further description of suitable techniques reference is made to Molecular cloning: A laboratory manual (Sambrook et al. (1989), Cold Spring Harbor lab., Cold Spring Harbor, N. Y.; Ausubel, F. M. et al. (eds.)); Current protocols in Molecular Biology (John Wiley and Sons, 1995; Harwood, C. R., and Cutting, S. M. (eds.)); Molecular Biological Methods for Bacillus (John Wiley and Sons, 1990); DNA Cloning: A Practical Approach, Volumes I and II (D. N. Glover ed. 1985); Oligonucleotide Synthesis (M. J. Gait ed. 1984); Nucleic Acid Hybridization (B. D. Hames & S. J. Higgins eds (1985)); Transcription And Translation (B. D. Hames & S. J. Higgins, eds. (1984)); Animal Cell Culture (R. I. Freshney, ed. (1986)); Immobilized Cells And Enzymes (IRL Press, (1986)); A Practical Guide To Molecular Cloning (B. Perbal, (1984)) and WO 96/34946.

Localized and Region Specific Random Mutagenesis

Random mutagenesis is suitably performed either as localized or region-specific random mutagenesis in at least three parts of the gene translating to the amino acid sequence shown in question, or within the whole gene.

The random mutagenesis of a DNA sequence encoding a parent RP-II protease may be conveniently performed by use of any method known in the art.

In relation to the above, a further aspect of the present invention relates to a method for generating a variant of a parent RP-II protease wherein the variant exhibits an altered property, such as increased thermostability, increased stability at low pH and at low calcium concentration, relative to the parent RP-II protease, the method comprising:

a) subjecting a DNA sequence encoding the parent protease to localized or region-specific random mutagenesis, b) expressing the mutated DNA sequence obtained in step (a) in a host cell, and c) screening for host cells expressing a RP-II protease variant which has an altered property relative to the parent RP-II protease.

Step (a) of the above method of the invention is preferably performed using doped primers.

When the mutagenesis is performed by the use of an oligonucleotide, the oligonucleotide may be doped or spiked with the three non-parent nucleotides during the synthesis of the oligonucleotide at the positions that are to be changed. The doping or spiking may be done so that codons for unwanted amino acids are avoided. The doped or spiked oligonucleotide can be incorporated into the DNA encoding the RP-II protease by any published technique, using, e.g., PCR, LCR or any DNA polymerase and ligase as deemed appropriate.

Preferably, the doping is carried out using “constant random doping”, in which the percentage of wild-type and modification in each position is predefined. Furthermore, the doping may be directed toward a preference for the introduction of certain nucleotides, and thereby a preference for the introduction of one or more specific amino acid residues. The doping may be made, e.g., so as to allow for the introduction of 90% wild type and 10% modifications in each position. An additional consideration in the choice of a doping scheme is based on genetic as well as protein-structural constraints. The doping scheme may be made by using the DOPE program which, inter alia, ensures that introduction of stop codons is avoided (L. J. Jensen et al. Nucleic Acid Research, 26, 697-702 (1998).

The DNA sequence to be mutagenized may conveniently be present in a genomic or cDNA library prepared from an organism expressing the parent RP-II protease. Alternatively, the DNA sequence may be present on a suitable vector such as a plasmid or a bacteriophage, which as such may be incubated with or otherwise exposed to the mutagenizing agent. The DNA to be mutagenized may also be present in a host cell either by being integrated in the genome of said cell or by being present on a vector harboured in the cell. Finally, the DNA to be mutagenized may be in isolated form. It will be understood that the DNA sequence to be subjected to random mutagenesis is preferably a cDNA or a genomic DNA sequence.

In some cases it may be convenient to amplify the mutated DNA sequence prior to performing the expression step b) or the screening step c). Such amplification may be performed in accordance with methods known in the art, the presently preferred method being PCR-generated amplification using oligonucleotide primers prepared on the basis of the DNA or amino acid sequence of the parent enzyme.

Subsequent to the incubation with or exposure to the mutagenizing agent, the mutated DNA is expressed by culturing a suitable host cell carrying the DNA sequence under conditions allowing expression to take place. The host cell used for this purpose may be one which has been transformed with the mutated DNA sequence, optionally present on a vector, or one which was carried the DNA sequence encoding the parent enzyme during the mutagenesis treatment. Examples of suitable host cells are the following: gram positive bacteria such as Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus lentus, Bacillus brevis, Bacillus stearothermophilus, Bacillus alkalophilus, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus coagulants, Bacillus circulans, Bacillus lautus, Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus thuringiensis, Streptomyces lividans or Streptomyces murinus ; and gram negative bacteria such as E. coli.

The mutated DNA sequence may further comprise a DNA sequence encoding functions permitting expression of the mutated DNA sequence.

Localised Random Mutagenesis

The random mutagenesis may be advantageously localised to a part of the parent RP-II protease in question. This may, e.g., be advantageous when certain regions of the enzyme have been identified to be of particular importance for a given property of the enzyme, and when modified are expected to result in a variant having improved properties. Such regions may normally be identified when the tertiary structure of the parent enzyme has been elucidated and related to the function of the enzyme.

The localised or region-specific, random mutagenesis is conveniently performed by use of PCR generated mutagenesis techniques as described above or any other suitable technique known in the art. Alternatively, the DNA sequence encoding the part of the DNA sequence to be modified may be isolated, e.g., by insertion into a suitable vector, and said part may be subsequently subjected to mutagenesis by use of any of the mutagenesis methods discussed above.

General Method for Localised Random Mutagenesis by Use of the DOPE Program

The localised random mutagenesis may be carried out by the following steps:

1. Select regions of interest for modification in the parent enzyme 2. Decide on mutation sites and non-mutated sites in the selected region 3. Decide on which kind of mutations should be carried out, e.g. with respect to the desired stability and/or performance of the variant to be constructed 4. Select structurally based mutations 5. Adjust the residues selected in step 3 with regard to step 4. 6. Analyse by use of a suitable dope algorithm the nucleotide distribution. 7. If necessary, adjust the wanted residues to genetic code realism, e.g. taking into account constraints resulting from the genetic code, e.g. in order to avoid introduction of stop codons; the skilled person will be aware that some codon combinations cannot be used in practice and will need to be adapted 8. Make primers 9. Perform localised random mutagenesis by use of the primers 10. Select resulting RP-II protease variants by screening for the desired improved properties.

Suitable dope algorithms for use in step 6 are well known in the art. One such algorithm is described by Tomandl, D. et al., 1997, Journal of Computer-Aided Molecular Design 11:29-38. Another algorithm is DOPE (Jensen, L J, Andersen, K V, Svendsen, A, and Kretzschmar, T (1998) Nucleic Acids Research 26:697-702).

Expression Vectors

A recombinant expression vector comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding a RP-II protease variant of the invention may be any vector that may conveniently be subjected to recombinant DNA procedures and which may bring about the expression of the nucleic acid sequence.

The choice of vector will often depend on the host cell into which it is to be introduced. Examples of a suitable vector include a linear or closed circular plasmid or a virus. The vector may be an autonomously replicating vector, i.e., a vector which exists as an extra-chromosomal entity, the replication of which is independent of chromosomal replication, e.g., a plasmid, an extra-chromosomal element, a mini chromosome, or an artificial chromosome. The vector may contain any means for assuring self-replication. Examples of bacterial origins of replication are the origins of replication of plasmids pBR322, pUC19, pACYC177, pACYC184, pUB110, pE194, pTA1060, and pAMβ1. Examples of origin of replications for use in a yeast host cell are the 2 micron origin of replication, the combination of CEN6 and ARS4, and the combination of CEN3 and ARS1. The origin of replication may be one having a mutation which makes it function as temperature-sensitive in the host cell (see, e.g., Ehrlich, 1978, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA 75:1433).

Alternatively, the vector may be one which, when introduced into the host cell, is integrated into the genome and replicated together with the chromosome(s) into which it has been integrated. Vectors which are integrated into the genome of the host cell may contain any nucleic acid sequence enabling integration into the genome; in particular it may contain nucleic acid sequences facilitating integration into the genome by homologous or non-homologous re-combination. The vector system may be a single vector, e.g. plasmid or virus, or two or more vectors, e.g. plasmids or virus', which together contain the total DNA to be introduced into the genome of the host cell, or a transposon.

The vector may in particular be an expression vector in which the DNA sequence encoding the RP-II protease variant of the invention is operably linked to additional segments or control sequences required for transcription of the DNA. The term, “operably linked” indicates that the segments are arranged so that they function in concert for their intended purposes, e.g. transcription initiates in a promoter and proceeds through the DNA sequence encoding the RP-II protease variant. Additional segments or control sequences include a promoter, a polyadenylation sequence, a propeptide sequence, a signal sequence and a transcription terminator. At a minimum the control sequences include a promoter and transcriptional and translational stop signals.

The promoter may be any DNA sequence that shows transcriptional activity in the host cell of choice and may be derived from genes encoding proteins either homologous or heterologous to the host cell.

Examples of suitable promoters for use in bacterial host cells include the promoter of the Bacillus subtilis levansucrase gene (sacB), the Bacillus stearothermophilus maltogenic amylase gene (amyM), the Bacillus licheniformis alpha-amylase gene (amyL), the Bacillus amyloliquefaciens alpha-amylase gene (amyQ), the Bacillus subtilis alkaline protease gene, or the Bacillus pumilus xylosidase gene, the Bacillus amyloliquefaciens BAN amylase gene, the Bacillus licheniformis penicillinase gene (penP), the Bacillus subtilis xylA and xylB genes, and the prokaryotic beta-lactamase gene (Villa-Kamaroff et al., 1978, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA 75:3727-3731). Other examples include the phage Lambda P R or P L promoters or the E. coli lac, trp or tac promoters or the Streptomyces coelicolor agarase gene (dagA). Further promoters are described in “Useful proteins from recombinant bacteria” in Scientific American, 1980, 242:74-94; and in Sambrook et al., 1989, supra.

Examples of suitable promoters for use in a filamentous fungal host cell are promoters obtained from the genes encoding Aspergillus oryzae TAKA amylase, Rhizomucor miehei aspartic proteinase, Aspergillus niger neutral alpha-amylase, Aspergillus niger acid stable alpha-amylase, Aspergillus niger or Aspergillus awamori glucoamylase (glaA), Rhizomucor miehei lipase, Aspergillus oryzae alkaline protease, Aspergillus oryzae triose phosphate isomerase, Aspergillus nidulans acetamidase, Fusarium oxysporum trypsin-like protease (as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,288,627, which is incorporated herein by reference), and hybrids thereof. Particularly preferred promoters for use in filamentous fungal host cells are the TAKA amylase, NA2-tpi (a hybrid of the promoters from the genes encoding Aspergillus niger neutral (-amylase and Aspergillus oryzae triose phosphate isomerase), and glaA promoters. Further suitable promoters for use in filamentous fungus host cells are the ADH3 promoter (McKnight et al., The EMBO J. 4 (1985), 2093-2099) or the tpiA promoter.

Examples of suitable promoters for use in yeast host cells include promoters from yeast glycolytic genes (Hitzeman et al., J. Biol. Chem. 255 (1980), 12073-12080; Alber and Kawasaki, J. Mol. Appl. Gen. 1 (1982), 419-434) or alcohol dehydrogenase genes (Young et al., in Genetic Engineering of Microorganisms for Chemicals (Hollaender et al, eds.), Plenum Press, New York, 1982), or the TPI1 (U.S. Pat. No. 4,599,311) or ADH2-4-c (Russell et al., Nature 304 (1983), 652-654) promoters.

Further useful promoters are obtained from the Saccharomyces cerevisiae enolase (ENO-1) gene, the Saccharomyces cerevisiae galactokinase gene (GAL1), the Saccharomyces cerevisiae alcohol dehydrogenase/glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase genes (ADH2/GAP), and the Saccharomyces cerevisiae 3-phosphoglycerate kinase gene. Other useful promoters for yeast host cells are described by Romanos et al., 1992, Yeast 8:423-488. In a mammalian host cell, useful promoters include viral promoters such as those from Simian Virus 40 (SV40), Rous sarcoma virus (RSV), adenovirus, and bovine papilloma virus (BPV).

Examples of suitable promoters for use in mammalian cells are the SV40 promoter (Subramani et al., Mol. Cell. Biol. 1 (1981), 854-864), the MT-1 (metallothionein gene) promoter (Palmiter et al., Science 222 (1983), 809-814) or the adenovirus 2 major late promoter.

An example of a suitable promoter for use in insect cells is the polyhedrin promoter (U.S. Pat. No. 4,745,051; Vasuvedan et al., FEBS Lett. 311, (1992) 7-11), the P10 promoter (J. M. Vlak et al., J. Gen. Virology 69, 1988, pp. 765-776), the Autographa californica polyhedrosis virus basic protein promoter (EP 397 485), the baculovirus immediate early gene 1 promoter (U.S. Pat. No. 5,155,037; U.S. Pat. No. 5,162,222), or the baculovirus 39K delayed-early gene promoter (U.S. Pat. No. 5,155,037; U.S. Pat. No. 5,162,222).

The DNA sequence encoding a RP-II protease variant of the invention may also, if necessary, be operably connected to a suitable terminator.

The recombinant vector of the invention may further comprise a DNA sequence enabling the vector to replicate in the host cell in question.

The vector may also comprise a selectable marker, e.g. a gene the product of which complements a defect in the host cell, or a gene encoding resistance to e.g. antibiotics like ampicillin, kanamycin, chloramphenicol, erythromycin, tetracycline, spectinomycine, neomycin, hygromycin, methotrexate, or resistance to heavy metals, virus or herbicides, or which provides for prototrophy or auxotrophs. Examples of bacterial selectable markers are the dal genes from Bacillus subtilis or Bacillus licheniformis , resistance. A frequently used mammalian marker is the dihydrofolate reductase gene (DHFR). Suitable markers for yeast host cells are ADE2, HIS3, LEU2, LYS2, MET3, TRP1, and URA3. A selectable marker for use in a filamentous fungal host cell may be selected from the group including, but not limited to, amdS (acetamidase), argB (ornithine carbamoyltransferase), bar (phosphinothricin acetyltransferase), hygB (hygromycin phosphotransferase), niaD (nitrate reductase), pyrG (orotidine-5′-phosphate decarboxylase), sC (sulfate adenyltransferase), trpC (anthranilate synthase), and glufosinate resistance markers, as well as equivalents from other species. Particularly, for use in an Aspergillus cell are the amdS and pyrG markers of Aspergillus nidulans or Aspergillus oryzae and the bar marker of Streptomyces hygroscopicus . Furthermore, selection may be accomplished by co-transformation, e.g., as described in WO 91/17243, where the selectable marker is on a separate vector.

To direct a RP-II protease variant of the present invention into the secretory pathway of the host cells, a secretory signal sequence (also known as a leader sequence, prepro sequence or pre sequence) may be provided in the recombinant vector. The secretory signal sequence is joined to the DNA sequence encoding the enzyme in the correct reading frame. Secretory signal sequences are commonly positioned 5′ to the DNA sequence encoding the enzyme. The secretory signal sequence may be that normally associated with the enzyme or may be from a gene encoding another secreted protein.

The procedures used to ligate the DNA sequences coding for the present enzyme, the promoter and optionally the terminator and/or secretory signal sequence, respectively, or to assemble these sequences by suitable PCR amplification schemes, and to insert them into suitable vectors containing the information necessary for replication or integration, are well known to persons skilled in the art (cf., for instance, Sambrook et al.).

More than one copy of a nucleic acid sequence encoding an enzyme of the present invention may be inserted into the host cell to amplify expression of the nucleic acid sequence. Stable amplification of the nucleic acid sequence can be obtained by integrating at least one additional copy of the sequence into the host cell genome using methods well known in the art and selecting for transformants.

The nucleic acid constructs of the present invention may also comprise one or more nucleic acid sequences which encode one or more factors that are advantageous in the expression of the polypeptide, e.g., an activator (e.g., a trans-acting factor), a chaperone, and a processing protease. Any factor that is functional in the host cell of choice may be used in the present invention. The nucleic acids encoding one or more of these factors are not necessarily in tandem with the nucleic acid sequence encoding the polypeptide.

Host Cells

The DNA sequence encoding a RP-II protease variant of the present invention may be either homologous or heterologous to the host cell into which it is introduced. If homologous to the host cell, i.e. produced by the host cell in nature, it will typically be operably connected to another promoter sequence or, if applicable, another secretory signal sequence and/or terminator sequence than in its natural environment. The term “homologous” is intended to include a DNA sequence encoding an enzyme native to the host organism in question. The term “heterologous” is intended to include a DNA sequence not expressed by the host cell in nature. Thus, the DNA sequence may be from another organism, or it may be a synthetic sequence.

The host cell into which the DNA construct or the recombinant vector of the invention is introduced may be any cell that is capable of producing the present RP-II protease variants, such as prokaryotes, e.g. bacteria or eukaryotes, such as fungal cells, e.g. yeasts or filamentous fungi, insect cells, plant cells or mammalian cells.

Examples of bacterial host cells which, on cultivation, are capable of producing the RP-II protease variants of the invention are gram-positive bacteria such as strains of Bacillus , e.g. strains of B. subtilis, B. licheniformis, B. lentus, B. brevis, B. stearothermophilus, B. alkalophilus, B. amyloliquefaciens, B. coagulans, B. circulans, B. lautus, B. megaterium or B. thuringiensis , or strains of Streptomyces , such as S. lividans or S. murinus , or gram-negative bacteria such as Escherichia coli or Pseudomonas sp.

The transformation of the bacteria may be effected by protoplast transformation, electroporation, conjugation, or by using competent cells in a manner known per se (cf. Sambrook et al., supra).

When expressing the RP-II protease variant in bacteria such as E. coli , the enzyme may be retained in the cytoplasm, typically as insoluble granules (known as inclusion bodies), or it may be directed to the periplasmic space by a bacterial secretion sequence. In the former case, the cells are lysed and the granules are recovered and denatured after which the enzyme is refolded by diluting the denaturing agent. In the latter case, the enzyme may be recovered from the periplasmic space by disrupting the cells, e.g. by sonication or osmotic shock, to release the contents of the periplasmic space and recovering the enzyme.

When expressing the RP-II protease variant in gram-positive bacteria such as Bacillus or Streptomyces strains, the enzyme may be retained in the cytoplasm, or it may be directed to the extracellular medium by a bacterial secretion sequence. In the latter case, the enzyme may be recovered from the medium as described below.

Examples of host yeast cells include cells of a species of Candida, Kluyveromyces, Saccharomyces, Schizosaccharomyces, Pichia, Hansehula , or Yarrowia . In a particular embodiment, the yeast host cell is a Saccharomyces carlsbergensis, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Saccharomyces diastaticus, Saccharomyces douglasii, Saccharomyces kluyveri, Saccharomyces norbensis or Saccharomyces oviformis cell. Other useful yeast host cells are a Kluyveromyces lactis, Kluyveromyces fragilis, Hansehula polymorpha, Pichia pastoris, Yarrowia lipolytica, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, Ustilgo maylis, Candida maltose, Pichia guillermondii and Pichia methanolio cell (cf. Gleeson et al., J. Gen. Microbiol. 132, 1986, pp. 3459-3465; U.S. Pat. No. 4,882,279 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,879,231). Since the classification of yeast may change in the future, for the purposes of this invention, yeast shall be defined as described in Biology and Activities of Yeast (Skinner, F. A., Passmore, S. M., and Davenport, R. R., eds, Soc. App. Bacteriol. Symposium Series No. 9, 1980. The biology of yeast and manipulation of yeast genetics are well known in the art (see, e.g., Biochemistry and Genetics of Yeast, Bacil, M., Horecker, B. J., and Stopani, A. O. M., editors, 2nd edition, 1987; The Yeasts, Rose, A. H., and Harrison, J. S., editors, 2nd edition, 1987; and The Molecular Biology of the Yeast Saccharomyces , Strathern et al., editors, 1981). Yeast may be transformed using the procedures described by Becker and Guarente, In Abelson, J. N. and Simon, M. I., editors, Guide to Yeast Genetics and Molecular Biology, Methods in Enzymology, Volume 194, pp 182-187, Academic Press, Inc., New York; Ito et al., 1983, Journal of Bacteriology 153:163; and Hinnen et al., 1978, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA 75:1920.

Examples of filamentous fungal cells include filamentous forms of the subdivision Eumycota and Oomycota (as defined by Hawksworth et al., 1995, supra), in particular it may of the a cell of a species of Acremonium , such as A. chrysogenum, Aspergillus , such as A. awamori, A. foetidus, A. japonicus, A. niger, A. nidulans or A. oryzae, Fusarium , such as F. bactridioides, F. cerealis, F. crookwellense, F. culmorum, F. graminearum, F. graminum, F. heterosporum, F. negundi, F. reticulatum, F. roseum, F. sambucinum, F. sarcochroum, F. sulphureum, F. trichothecioides or F. oxysporum, Humicola , such as H. insolens or H. lanuginose, Mucor , such as M. miehei, Myceliophthora , such as M. thermophilum, Neurospora , such as N. crassa, Penicillium , such as P. purpurogenum, Thielavia , such as T. terrestris, Tolypocladium , or Trichoderma , such as T. harzianum, T. koningii, T. longibrachiatum, T. reesei or T. viride , or a teleomorph or synonym thereof. The use of Aspergillus spp. for the expression of proteins is described in, e.g., EP 272 277, EP 230 023.

Examples of insect cells include a Lepidoptera cell line, such as Spodoptera frugiperda cells or Trichoplusia ni cells (cf. U.S. Pat. No. 5,077,214). Culture conditions may suitably be as described in WO 89/01029 or WO 89/01028. Transformation of insect cells and production of heterologous polypeptides therein may be performed as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,745,051; U.S. Pat. No. 4,775,624; U.S. Pat. No. 4,879,236; U.S. Pat. No. 5,155,037; U.S. Pat. No. 5,162,222; EP 397,485).

Examples of mammalian cells include Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, HeLa cells, baby hamster kidney (BHK) cells, COS cells, or any number of other immortalized cell lines available, e.g., from the American Type Culture Collection. Methods of transfecting mammalian cells and expressing DNA sequences introduced in the cells are described in e.g. Kaufman and Sharp, J. Mol. Biol. 159 (1982), 601-621; Southern and Berg, J. Mol. Appl. Genet. 1 (1982), 327-341; Loyter et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 79 (1982), 422-426; Wigler et al., Cell 14 (1978), 725; Corsaro and Pearson, Somatic Cell Genetics 7 (1981), 603, Ausubel et al., Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, John Wiley and Sons, Inc., N. Y., 1987, Hawley-Nelson et al., Focus 15 (1993), 73; Ciccarone et al., Focus 15 (1993), 80; Graham and van der Eb, Virology 52 (1973), 456; and Neumann et al., EMBO J. 1 (1982), 841-845. Mammalian cells may be transfected by direct uptake using the calcium phosphate precipitation method of Graham and Van der Eb (1978, Virology 52:546).

Methods for Expression and Isolation of Proteins

To express an enzyme of the present invention the above mentioned host cells trans-formed or transfected with a vector comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding an enzyme of the present invention are typically cultured in a suitable nutrient medium under conditions permitting the production of the desired molecules, after which these are recovered from the cells, or the culture broth.

The medium used to culture the host cells may be any conventional medium suitable for growing the host cells, such as minimal or complex media containing appropriate supplements. Suitable media are available from commercial suppliers or may be prepared according to published recipes (e.g. in catalogues of the American Type Culture Collection). The media may be prepared using procedures known in the art (see, e.g., references for bacteria and yeast; Bennett, J. W. and LaSure, L., editors, More Gene Manipulations in Fungi, Academic Press, CA, 1991).

If the enzymes of the present invention are secreted into the nutrient medium, they may be recovered directly from the medium. If they are not secreted, they may be recovered from cell lysates. The enzymes of the present invention may be recovered from the culture medium by conventional procedures including separating the host cells from the medium by centrifugation or filtration, precipitating the proteinaceous components of the supernatant or filtrate by means of a salt, e.g. ammonium sulphate, purification by a variety of chromatographic procedures, e.g. ion exchange chromatography, gel filtration chromatography, affinity chromatography, or the like, dependent on the enzyme in question.

The enzymes of the invention may be detected using methods known in the art that are specific for these proteins. These detection methods include use of specific antibodies, formation of a product, or disappearance of a substrate. For example, an enzyme assay may be used to determine the activity of the molecule. Procedures for determining various kinds of activity are known in the art.

The enzymes of the present invention may be purified by a variety of procedures known in the art including, but not limited to, chromatography (e.g., ion exchange, affinity, hydrophobic, chromatofocusing, and size exclusion), electrophoretic procedures (e.g., preparative isoelectric focusing (IEF), differential solubility (e.g., ammonium sulfate precipitation), or extraction (see, e.g., Protein Purification, J-C Janson and Lars Ryden, editors, VCH Publishers, New York, 1989).

When an expression vector comprising a DNA sequence encoding an enzyme of the present invention is transformed/transfected into a heterologous host cell it is possible to enable heterologous recombinant production of the enzyme. An advantage of using a heterologous host cell is that it is possible to make a highly purified enzyme composition, characterized in being free from homologous impurities, which are often present when a protein or peptide is expressed in a homologous host cell. In this context homologous impurities mean any impurity (e.g. other polypeptides than the enzyme of the invention) which originates from the homologous cell where the enzyme of the invention is originally obtained from.

Detergent Applications

The enzyme of the invention may be added to and thus become a component of a detergent composition.

The detergent composition of the invention may for example be formulated as a hand or machine laundry detergent composition including a laundry additive composition suitable for pre-treatment of stained fabrics and a rinse added fabric softener composition, or be formulated as a detergent composition for use in general household hard surface cleaning operations, or be formulated for hand or machine dishwashing operations.

In a specific aspect, the invention provides a detergent additive comprising the enzyme of the invention. The detergent additive as well as the detergent composition may comprise one or more other enzymes such as a protease, a lipase, a cutinase, an amylase, a carbohydrase, a cellulase, a pectinase, a mannanase, an arabinase, a galactanase, a xylanase, an oxidase, e.g., a laccase, and/or a peroxidase.

In general the properties of the chosen enzyme(s) should be compatible with the selected detergent, (i.e. pH-optimum, compatibility with other enzymatic and non-enzymatic ingredients, etc.), and the enzyme(s) should be present in effective amounts.

Proteases:

Suitable proteases include those of animal, vegetable or microbial origin. Microbial origin is preferred. Chemically modified or protein engineered mutants are included. The protease may be a serine protease or a metallo protease, preferably an alkaline microbial protease or a trypsin-like protease. Examples of alkaline proteases are subtilisins, especially those derived from Bacillus , e.g., subtilisin Novo, subtilisin Carlsberg, subtilisin 309, subtilisin 147 and subtilisin 168 (described in WO 89/06279). Examples of trypsin-like proteases are trypsin (e.g. of porcine or bovine origin) and the Fusarium protease described in WO 89/06270 and WO 94/25583.

Examples of useful proteases are the variants described in WO 92/19729, WO 98/20115, WO 98/20116, and WO 98/34946, especially the variants with substitutions in one or more of the following positions: 27, 36, 57, 68, 76, 87, 97, 101, 104, 106, 120, 123, 167, 170, 194, 206, 218, 222, 224, 235, 245, 252 and 274.

Preferred commercially available protease enzymes include Alcalase™, Savinase™ Primase™, Duralase™, Esperase™, Coronase™ and Kannase™ (Novozymes A/S), Maxatase™, Maxacal™, Maxapem™, Properase™, Purafect™, Purafect OxP™, FN2™, and FN3™ (Genencor International Inc.).

Lipases:

Suitable lipases include those of bacterial or fungal origin. Chemically modified or protein engineered mutants are included. Examples of useful lipases include lipases from Humicola (synonym Thermomyces ), e.g. from H. lanuginosa ( T. lanuginosus ) as described in EP 258 068 and EP 305 216 or from H. insolens as described in WO 96/13580, a Pseudomonas lipase , e.g. from P. alcaligenes or P. pseudoalcaligenes (EP 218 272), P. cepacia (EP 331 376), P. stutzeri (GB 1,372,034), P. fluorescens, Pseudomonas sp. strain SD 705 (WO 95/06720 and WO 96/27002), P. wisconsinensis (WO 96/12012), a Bacillus lipase , e.g. from B. subtilis (Dartois et al. (1993), Biochemica et Biophysica Acta, 1131, 253-360), B. stearothermophilus (JP 64/744992) or B. pumilus (WO 91/16422).

Other examples are lipase variants such as those described in WO 92/05249, WO 94/01541, EP 407 225, EP 260 105, WO 95/35381, WO 96/00292, WO 95/30744, WO 94/25578, WO 95/14783, WO 95/22615, WO 97/04079 and WO 97/07202.

Preferred commercially available lipase enzymes include Lipolase™, Lipolase Ultra™ and Lipex™ (Novozymes A/S).

Amylases:

Suitable amylases (α and/or β) include those of bacterial or fungal origin. Chemically modified or protein engineered mutants are included. Amylases include, for example, α-amylases obtained from Bacillus , e.g. a special strain of B. licheniformis , described in more detail in GB 1,296,839.

Examples of useful amylases are the variants described in WO 94/02597, WO 94/18314, WO 96/23873, and WO 97/43424, especially the variants with substitutions in one or more of the following positions: 15, 23, 105, 106, 124, 128, 133, 154, 156, 181, 188, 190, 197, 202, 208, 209, 243, 264, 304, 305, 391, 408, and 444.

Commercially available amylases are Duramyl™, Termamyl™, Stainzyme™, Fungamyl™ and BAN™ (Novozymes A/S), Rapidase™ and Purastar™ (from Genencor International Inc.).

Cellulases:

Suitable cellulases include those of bacterial or fungal origin. Chemically modified or protein engineered mutants are included. Suitable cellulases include cellulases from the genera Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Humicola, Fusarium, Thielavia, Acremonium , e.g. the fungal cellulases produced from Humicola insolens, Myceliophthora thermophila and Fusarium oxysporum disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,435,307, U.S. Pat. No. 5,648,263, U.S. Pat. No. 5,691,178, U.S. Pat. No. 5,776,757 and WO 89/09259.

Especially suitable cellulases are the alkaline or neutral cellulases having colour care benefits. Examples of such cellulases are cellulases described in EP 0 495 257, EP 0 531 372, WO 96/11262, WO 96/29397, WO 98/08940. Other examples are cellulase variants such as those described in WO 94/07998, EP 0 531 315, U.S. Pat. No. 5,457,046, U.S. Pat. No. 5,686,593, U.S. Pat. No. 5,763,254, WO 95/24471, WO 98/12307 and PCT/DK98/00299.

Commercially available cellulases include Renozyme™, Celluzyme™, and Carezyme™ (Novozymes A/S), Clazinase™, and Puradax HA™ (Genencor International Inc.), and KAC-500(B)™ (Kao Corporation).

Peroxidases/Oxidases:

Suitable peroxidases/oxidases include those of plant, bacterial or fungal origin. Chemically modified or protein engineered mutants are included. Examples of useful peroxidases include peroxidases from Coprinus , e.g. from C. cinereus , and variants thereof as those described in WO 93/24618, WO 95/10602, and WO 98/15257.

Commercially available peroxidases include Guardzyme™ (Novozymes A/S).

The detergent enzyme(s) may be included in a detergent composition by adding separate additives containing one or more enzymes, or by adding a combined additive comprising all of these enzymes. A detergent additive of the invention, i.e. a separate additive or a combined additive, can be formulated e.g. as a granulate, a liquid, a slurry, etc. Preferred detergent additive formulations are granulates, in particular non-dusting granulates, liquids, in particular stabilized liquids, or slurries.

Non-dusting granulates may be produced, e.g., as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,106,991 and 4,661,452 and may optionally be coated by methods known in the art. Examples of waxy coating materials are poly(ethylene oxide) products (polyethylene glycol, PEG) with mean molar weights of 1000 to 20000; ethoxylated nonylphenols having from 16 to 50 ethylene oxide units; ethoxylated fatty alcohols in which the alcohol contains from 12 to 20 carbon atoms and in which there are 15 to 80 ethylene oxide units; fatty alcohols; fatty acids; and mono- and di- and triglycerides of fatty acids. Examples of film-forming coating materials suitable for application by fluid bed techniques are given in GB 1483591. Liquid enzyme preparations may, for instance, be stabilized by adding a polyol such as propylene glycol, a sugar or sugar alcohol, lactic acid or boric acid according to established methods. Protected enzymes may be prepared according to the method disclosed in EP 238,216.

The detergent composition of the invention may be in any convenient form, e.g., a bar, a tablet, a powder, a granule, a paste or a liquid. A liquid detergent may be aqueous, typically containing up to 70% water and 0-30% organic solvent, or non-aqueous.

The detergent composition comprises one or more surfactants, which may be non-ionic including semi-polar and/or anionic and/or cationic and/or zwitterionic. The surfactants are typically present at a level of from 0.1% to 60% by weight.

When included therein the detergent will usually contain from about 1% to about 40% of an anionic surfactant such as linear alkylbenzenesulfonate, alpha-olefinsulfonate, alkyl sulfate (fatty alcohol sulfate), alcohol ethoxysulfate, secondary alkanesulfonate, alpha-sulfo fatty acid methyl ester, alkyl- or alkenylsuccinic acid or soap.

When included therein the detergent will usually contain from about 0.2% to about 40% of a non-ionic surfactant such as alcohol ethoxylate, nonylphenol ethoxylate, alkylpolyglycoside, alkyldimethylamineoxide, ethoxylated fatty acid monoethanolamide, fatty acid monoethanolamide, polyhydroxy alkyl fatty acid amide, or N-acyl N-alkyl derivatives of glucosamine (“glucamides”).

The detergent may contain 0-65% of a detergent builder or complexing agent such as zeolite, diphosphate, triphosphate, phosphonate, carbonate, citrate, nitrilotriacetic acid, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, alkyl- or alkenylsuccinic acid, soluble silicates or layered silicates (e.g. SKS-6 from Hoechst).

The detergent may comprise one or more polymers. Examples are carboxymethylcellulose, poly(vinylpyrrolidone), poly(ethylene glycol), poly(vinyl alcohol), poly(vinylpyridine-N-oxide), poly(vinylimidazole), polycarboxylates such as polyacrylates, maleic/acrylic acid copolymers and lauryl methacrylate/acrylic acid copolymers.

The detergent may contain a bleaching system which may comprise a H 2 O 2 source such as perborate or percarbonate which may be combined with a peracid-forming bleach activator such as tetraacetylethylenediamine or nonanoyloxybenzenesulfonate. Alternatively, the bleaching system may comprise peroxyacids of e.g. the amide, imide, or sulfone type.

The enzyme(s) of the detergent composition of the invention may be stabilized using conventional stabilizing agents, e.g., a polyol such as propylene glycol or glycerol, a sugar or sugar alcohol, lactic acid, boric acid, or a boric acid derivative, e.g., an aromatic borate ester, or a phenyl boronic acid derivative such as 4-formylphenyl boronic acid, and the composition may be formulated as described in e.g. WO 92/19709 and WO 92/19708.

The detergent may also contain other conventional detergent ingredients such as e.g. fabric conditioners including clays, foam boosters, suds suppressors, anti-corrosion agents, soil-suspending agents, anti-soil redeposition agents, dyes, bactericides, optical brighteners, hydrotropes, tarnish inhibitors, or perfumes.

It is at present contemplated that in the detergent compositions any enzyme, in particular the enzyme of the invention, may be added in an amount corresponding to 0.01-100 mg of enzyme protein per liter of wash liquor, preferably 0.05-5 mg of enzyme protein per liter of wash liquor, in particular 0.1-1 mg of enzyme protein per liter of wash liquor.

The enzyme of the invention may additionally be incorporated in the detergent formulations disclosed in WO 97/07202 which is hereby incorporated as reference.

Food Processing Applications

The RP-II protease variants of the present invention may also be used in the processing of food, especially in the field of diary products, such as milk, cream and cheese, but also in the processing of meat and vegetables.

Feed Processing Application

The RP-II protease variants of the present invention may also be used in the processing of feed for cattle, poultry, and pigs and especially for pet food.

Treatment of Hides

The RP-II protease variants of the invention may also be used for the treatment of hides.

Decontamination of Possibly Infested Materials

The RP-II protease variants of the invention may also be used in processes for decontaminating instruments, surfaces, and other materials in hospitals, clinics, and meat processing plants, etc. in order to decompose prions or other infectious agents.

Materials and Methods

Strains:

B. subtilis DN1885: Disclosed in WO 01/16285

Plasmids:

pNM1003: Disclosed in WO 01/16285

pSX222: Disclosed in WO 96/34946

pNM1008: See Example 2

Method for Producing a Protease Variant

The present invention provides a method of producing an isolated enzyme according to the invention, wherein a suitable host cell, which has been transformed with a DNA sequence encoding the enzyme, is cultured under conditions permitting the production of the enzyme, and the resulting enzyme is recovered from the culture.

When an expression vector comprising a DNA sequence encoding the enzyme is trans-formed into a heterologous host cell it is possible to enable heterologous recombinant production of the enzyme of the invention. Thereby it is possible to make a highly purified RP-II protease composition, characterized in being free from homologous impurities.

The medium used to culture the transformed host cells may be any conventional medium suitable for growing the host cells in question. The expressed RP-II protease may conveniently be secreted into the culture medium and may be recovered there-from by well-known procedures including separating the cells from the medium by centrifugation or filtration, precipitating proteinaceous components of the medium by means of a salt such as ammonium sulfate, followed by chromatographic procedures such as ion exchange chromatography, affinity chromatography, or the like.

Proteolytic Activity

Enzyme activity can be measured using the PNA assay using succinyl-alanine-alanine-proline-glutamicacid-paranitroaniline as a substrate. The principle of the PNA assay is described in the Journal of American Oil Chemists Society, Rothgeb, T. M., Goodlander, B. D., Garrison, P. H., and Smith, L. A., (1988).

Textiles

Standard textile pieces are obtained from EMPA St. Gallen, Lerchfeldstrasse 5, CH-9014 St. Gallen, Switzerland. Especially type EMPA 116 (cotton textile stained with blood, milk and ink) and EMPA 117 (polyester/cotton textile stained with blood, milk and ink). The textile can be cut into a smaller textile piece of 5×3 cm or 13×3 cm

Other relevant protease stain may be used as well, e.g. C-03, C-05, C-10 from CFT, Center For Testmaterials, Vlaardingen, Netherlands

Wash Conditions

Latin North Region America Europe America Japan Temperature 20° C. 30° C. 20° C. 20° C. Washing time 14 min 20 min 12 min 15 min Swatches EMPA 117 EMPA 116 EMPA 117 EMPA 117 Water 9 or 12° dH 15° dH 6° dH 3° dH Hardness* Detergent 1.5 or 2.5 g/l 4, 6 or 8 g/l HDL: 1.5 g/l 0.5 or 0.7 dosage Washing pH As is, or As is, or As is, or As is, or adjusted adjusted adjusted adjusted to 8, 9, 10 to 8, 9, 10 to 8, 9, 10 to 8, 9, 10 *° dH: adjusted by adding CaCl 2 *2H 2 O; MgCl 2 *6H 2 O; NaHCO 3 (Ratio Ca 2+ :Mg 2+ :HCO 3− = 2:1:6) to milli-Q water.

Detergents

The enzymes of the invention may be tested in the detergent formulations disclosed in WO 97/07202 or in detergents formulations purchased from wfk testgewebe GmbH or similar supplier

List of test detergents from wfk testgewebe

IEC 60456 Type A* Base Detergent IEC 60456 Type B Base Detergent IEC 60456 Type C Detergent ECE Reference Detergent with Phosphate (1977) ECE Reference Detergent without Phosphate (1998) AHAM Standard Detergent EU ECOLABEL (detergents) Light Duty Detergent EU ECOLABEL (detergents) PVP

However, also one of the following commercial detergents may be used in the wash assay, e.g.

Omo Multi Acao HDP, Unilever, Brazil

Tide HDL, P&G, US

Wisk HDL, Unilever, US

TOP HDP, Lion, Japan

Attack HDP, Kao, Japan

Ariel Regular HDP, P&G, Europe

Ariel Compact HDPC, P&G, Europe

Persil Megaperls, Henkel, Germany

Persil, Unilever, UK

Furthermore, a brand extension or color/compact version for the above specified detergent could be used as well

If the detergent contains enzymes, the detergent should be in-activated before use in order to eliminate the enzyme activity already present in the detergent. This is done by heating a detergent stock solution to 85° C. in 5 minutes in a micro wave oven. The concentration of the detergent stock solution in the micro wave oven is between 4-20 g/l

The enzyme variants of the present application is tested using the Automatic Mechanical Stress Assay (AMSA). With the AMSA test the wash performance of a large quantity of small volume enzyme-detergent solutions can be examined. The AMSA plate has a number of slots for test solutions and a lid firmly squeezing the textile swatch to be washed against all the slot openings. During the washing time, the plate, test solutions, textile and lid are vigorously shaken to bring the test solution in contact with the textile and apply mechanical stress. For further description see WO 02/42740 especially the paragraph “Special method embodiments” at page 23-24.

The assay is conducted under the experimental conditions specified below. In respect of the detergent used, all the detergents listed above under “Materials and Methods” may be used:

After washing the textile pieces is flushed in tap water and air-dried.

The performance of the enzyme variant is measured as the brightness of the colour of the textile samples washed with that specific enzyme variant. Brightness can also be expressed as the intensity of the light reflected from the textile sample when luminated with white light. When the textile is stained the intensity of the reflected light is lower, than that of a clean textile. Therefore the intensity of the reflected light can be used to measure wash performance of an enzyme variant.

Colour measurements are made with a professional flatbed scanner (PFU DL2400pro), which is used to capture an image of the washed textile samples. The scans are made with a resolution of 200 dpi and with an output colour dept of 24 bits. In order to get accurate results, the scanner is frequently calibrated with a Kodak reflective IT8 target.

To extract a value for the light intensity from the scanned images, a special designed software application is used (Novozymes Color Vector Analyzer). The program retrieves the 24 bit pixel values from the image and converts them into values for red, green and blue (RGB). The intensity value (Int) is calculated by adding the RGB values together as vectors and then taking the length of the resulting vector:

Int =√{square root over ( r 2 +g 2 +b 2 )}.

The wash performance (P) of the variants is calculated in accordance with the below formula:

P=Int ( v )− Int ( r )

where

Int(v) is the light intensity value of textile surface washed with enzyme variant and

Int(r) is the light intensity value of textile surface washed with the reference enzyme BLC.

A performance score is given as the result of the miniwash in accordance with the definition:

Performance Scores (S) are summing up the performances (P) of the tested enzyme variants as:

S=2 which indicates that the variant performs better than the reference at all three concentrations (5, 10 and 30 nM) and

S=1 which indicates that the variant performs better than the reference at one or two concentrations.

A variant is considered to exhibit improved wash performance, if it performs better than the reference in at least one detergent composition.

Mini Wash Assay

The milliliter scale wash performance assay is conducted under the following conditions:

After washing the textile piece is flushed in tap water and air-dried and the remission from the test material is measured at 460 nm using a Zeiss MCS 521 VIS spectrophotometer. The measurements are done according to the manufacturer's protocol.

A performance score is given as the result of the miniwash in accordance with the definition:

Performance Scores (S) are summing up the performances (P) of the tested enzyme variants as:

S=2 which indicates that the variant performs better than the reference at all three concentrations (5, 10 and 30 nM) and

S=1 which indicates that the variant performs better than the reference at one or two concentrations.

A Performance Score higher than 1 indicates better wash performance.

A variant is considered to exhibit improved wash performance, if it performs better than the reference in at least one detergent composition.

The following RP-II variants were constructed as indicated in Example 2 to be purified in accordance with Example 3 and tested as indicated above:

Ion-Binding Modification:

D7E; D7Q; H144R; D161R; D161K;

H144Q+D161R

Mobility Modification:

G30A; G91A

Cys-Bridge Formation:

S145C+T128C

Surface Charge Modification:

D7N,S,T; Y17R,K,H; Y95R,K,H; T109R,K,H; Q143R,K,H; Q174R,K,H; E209Q,N; N216R,K,H

Proline Stability:

T60P; S221 P; G193P; V194P