Effects of Gln102Arg and Cys97Gly mutations on the structural specificity and stereospecificity of the L-lactate dehydrogenase from Bacillus stearothermophilus

The L-lactate dehydrogenase of Bacillus stearothermophilus (BSLDH) is a thermostable enzyme with considerable potential for applications in asymmetric synthesis. An understanding of the factors controlling its structural specificity and stereospecificity is therefore of interest. In this paper the effects of GIn 102→Arg and Cys97→Gly mutations have been evaluated. In a survey of thirteen 2-keto acids, the Q102R mutation was found to reduce the activity of BSLDH toward the reduction of RCOCOOH substrates with small or hydrophilic R groups without affecting its activity toward those with larger, hydrophobic R substituents