Cloning, Characterization, and Expression of cDNA Encoding a Lipase from Kurtzmanomyces sp. I-11

A cDNA clone of the lipase secreted by Kurtzmanomyces sp. I-11 was isolated from a cDNA library of this yeast by PCR screening using oligonucleotide primers designed on the basis of the partial amino acid sequence of the lipase. The cloned cDNA (lip1) encoded a hydrophobic protein of 484 amino acids, where the first 20 amino acids and the following 6 amino acid sequences were predicted to be the signal sequence for secretion and a pro-sequence, respectively. The deduced amino acid sequence of the Kurtzmanomyces lipase was most similar to Candida antarctica DSM 3855 lipase A (74% identity) and weakly to other lipases. The consensus pentapeptide (-Gly-X-Ser-X-Gly-) that forms a part of the interfacial lipid recognition site in lipases was conserved. A high level of lipase was produced by Pichia pastoris transformed with the lip1 cDNA, indicating that the cloned cDNA indeed encodes a lipase.