Substitution of S-(β-Aminoethyl)-Cysteine for Active-Site Lysine of Thermostable Aspartate Aminotransferase

The active site lysyl residue (K239) of the thermostable aspartate aminotransferase [EC 2.6.1.1] was replaced by cysteinyl residue by means of site-directed mutagenesis. The K239C mutant enzyme obtained was catalytically inactive. The reaction of the cysteinyl residue of the K239C mutant enzyme with ethylenimine led to the formation of S-(β-aminoethylcysteinyl (SAEC) residue. The K239SAEC mutant enzyme obtained showed about 26% of the activity of wild-type enzyme, and absorbed at 375 nm, which suggested the internal Schiff base formation.