Biochemical characterization of a novel L-Asparaginase with low glutaminase activity from Rhizomucor miehei and its application in food safety and leukemia treatment.

A novel fungal gene encoding the Rhizomucor miehei l-asparaginase (RmAsnase) was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. Its deduced amino acid sequence shared only 57% identity with the amino acid sequences of other reported l-asparaginases. The purified l-asparaginase homodimer had a molecular mass of 133.7 kDa, a high specific activity of 1,985 U/mg, and very low glutaminase activity. RmAsnase was optimally active at pH 7.0 and 45°C and was stable at this temperature for 30 min. The final level of acrylamide in biscuits and bread was decreased by about 81.6% and 94.2%, respectively, upon treatment with 10 U RmAsnase per mg flour. Moreover, this l-asparaginase was found to potentiate a lectin's induction of leukemic K562 cell apoptosis, allowing lowering of the drug dosage and shortening of the incubation time. Overall, our findings suggest that RmAsnase possesses a remarkable potential for the food industry and in chemotherapeutics for leukemia.