Introduction of raw starch-binding domains into Bacillus subtilis alpha-amylase by fusion with the starch-binding domain of Bacillus cyclomaltodextrin glucanotransferase.

We constructed two types of chimeric enzymes, Ch1 Amy and Ch2 Amy. Ch1 Amy consisted of a catalytic domain of Bacillus subtilis X-23 alpha-amylase (Ba-S) and the raw starch-binding domain (domain E) of Bacillus A2-5a cyclomaltodextrin glucanotransferase (A2-5a CGT). Ch2 Amy consisted of Ba-S and D (function unknown) plus E domains of A2-5a CGT. Ch1 Amy acquired raw starch-binding and -digesting abilities which were not present in the catalytic part (Ba-S). Furthermore, the specific activity of Ch1 Amy was almost identical when enzyme activity was evaluated on a molar basis. Although Ch2 Amy exhibited even higher raw starch-binding and -digesting abilities than Ch1 Amy, the specific activity was lower than that of Ba-S. We did not detect any differences in other enzymatic characteristics (amylolytic pattern, transglycosylation ability, effects of pH, and temperature on stability and activity) among Ba-S, Ch1 Amy, and Ch2 Amy.