Mutagenesis, heterogeneous gene expression, and purification and amino acid substitution analyses of plant peroxidase, PrxA3a

We introduced mutations into prxA3a, a peroxidase gene of hybrid aspen, Populus kitakamiensis, to substitute the amino acid residues at the surface of the protein, and analyzed substrate specificities. PrxA3a and mutated enzymes heterogeneously gene expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae were purified by Ni affinity chromatography, hydrolysis of sugar chain (Endoglycosidase H_f) and gel filtration. The substrate specificities were altered by substituted amino acid residues. PrxA3a F77Y A165W acquired the substrate specificity to m-chlorophenol. PrxA3a F77Y and PrxA3a F77YA165W could polymerize sinapyl alcohol. In addition, PrxA3a A165W, F77Y, and F77YA165W improved cytochrome c oxidizing activity. These substituted amino acid residues should function as a catalytic site outside of the heme pocket.