Stepwise error-prone PCR and DNA shuffling changed the pH activity range and product specificity of the cyclodextrin glucanotransferase from an alkaliphilic Bacillus sp.

Cyclodextrin glucanotransferase (EC 2.4.1.19) from the alkaliphilic Bacillus sp. G-825-6 converts starch mainly to γ-cyclodextrin (CD(8)). A combination of error-prone PCR and DNA shuffling was used to obtain variants of this enzyme with higher product specificity for CD(8) and a broad pH activity range. The variant S54 with seven amino acid substitutions showed a 1.2-fold increase in CD(8)-synthesizing activity and the product ratio of CD(7):CD(8) was shifted to 1:7 compared to 1:3 of the wild-type enzyme. Nine amino acid substitutions of the cyclodextrin glucanotransferase were performed to generate the variant S35 active in a pH range 4.0–10.0. Compared to the wild-type enzyme which is inactive below pH 6.0, S35 retained 70% of its CD(8)-synthesizing activity at pH 4.0.