Highly soluble expression and molecular characterization of an organic solvent-stable and thermotolerant lipase originating from the metagenome

A novel organic solvent-stable and thermotolerant lipase gene (designated ostl28) was cloned from a metagenomic library and overexpressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) in soluble form. OSTL28 contained 262 amino acids with relative molecular mass 30.1 kDa and isoelectric point 9.7. The optimum pH and temperature of the OSTL28 were 7.5 and 60 °C, respectively. OSTL28 was stable in the pH range of 4.5–9.5 and at temperatures below 65 °C. The enzyme could hydrolyze a wide range of ρ-nitrophenyl esters, but its best substrate is ρ-nitrophenyl laurate with the highest activity of 236 U/mg (54,000 U/L). The recombinant OSTL28 was highly resisted to organic solvents, especially glycerol and methanol. The metal ions, with the exception of Hg2+ and Ag+, did not have any influence on enzyme activity, whereas non-ionic surfactants and Al3+ slightly activated the enzyme. These features indicate that it is a potential biocatalyst for biodiesel production.

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► A novel thermotolerant lipase gene OSTL28 was cloned by metagenomics.
► OSTL28 was overexpressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) in soluble form.
► OSTL28 was stable in the pH range of 4.5–9.5 and at temperatures below 65 °C.
► OSTL28 was highly resisted to organic solvents, especially glycerol and methanol.
► Non-ionic surfactants and Al3+ slightly activated the enzyme.