Altering the specificity of subtilisin B. Lentus by combining site-directed mutagenesis and chemical modification

The thiol side chain of the M222C mutant of the subtilisin from Bacillus lentus (SBL) has been chemically modified by methyl-, aminoethyl-, and sulfonatoethylthiosulfonate reagents. Introduction of charged residues into the active site of the enzyme reduced the catalytic efficiency with Suc-AAPF-pNA as the substrate, but resulted in better binding of sterically demanding boronic acid inhibitors. The thiol side chain of the M222C mutant of the subtilisin from Bacillus lentus (SBL) has been chemically modified by methyl-, aminoethyl-, and sulfonatoethylthiosulfonate reagents. Introduction of charged residues into the active site of the enzyme caused a drop in the catalytic efficiency with Suc-AAPF-pNA as the substrate, but resulted in better binding of sterically demanding boronic acid inhibitors.