title: ANCUT2, a Thermo-alkaline Cutinase from Aspergillus nidulans and Its Potential Applications.
abstract: Biochemical characterization of purified ANCUT2 cutinase from Aspergillus nidulans is described. The identified amino acid sequence differs from that predicted in Aspergillus genomic databases in amino acids not relevant for catalysis. The enzyme is thermo-alkaline, showing its maximum activity at pH 9 and 60 °C, and it retains more than 60% of its initial activity after incubation for 1 h at 60 °C for pH values between 6 and 10. ANCUT2 is more active towards long-chain esters and it hydrolyzes cutin; however, it also hydrolyzes short-chain esters. Cutinase is inhibited by metal ions, PMSF, SDS, and EDTA (10 mM). It retains 50% of its activity in most of the solvents tested, although it is more stable in hydrophobic solvents. According to its found biochemical properties, preliminary assays demonstrate its ability to synthesize methyl esters from sesame oil and the most likely application of this enzyme remains in detergent formulations.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Alimentos y Biotecnología, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Avenida Universidad, 3000 Ciudad Universitaria, 04510, Mexico City, Mexico.
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bermúdez-García
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Alimentos y Biotecnología, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Avenida Universidad, 3000 Ciudad Universitaria, 04510, Mexico City, Mexico.
authors.forename: Carolina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Peña-Montes
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Alimentos y Biotecnología, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Avenida Universidad, 3000 Ciudad Universitaria, 04510, Mexico City, Mexico.
authors.forename: José Augusto
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Castro-Rodríguez
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Medicina Experimental, Facultad de Medicina, Hospital General de México, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Dr. Balmis, 148, 06726, Mexico City, D.F, Mexico.
authors.forename: Augusto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: González-Canto
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Alimentos y Biotecnología, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Avenida Universidad, 3000 Ciudad Universitaria, 04510, Mexico City, Mexico.
authors.forename: Arturo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Navarro-Ocaña
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Alimentos y Biotecnología, Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Avenida Universidad, 3000 Ciudad Universitaria, 04510, Mexico City, Mexico. farres@unam.mx.
authors.forename: Amelia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Farrés
mesh_terms: D001233:Aspergillus nidulans / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics; D002265:Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics; D004795:Enzyme Stability; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D013379:Substrate Specificity
chemical_list: D005656:Fungal Proteins; D002265:Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases; C019952:cutinase
keywords: Aspergillus nidulans; Biodiesel; Cutinase; Detergents; Thermo-alkaline