DE102017220757A1 - Amylase and such containing detergent or cleaning agent - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention is in the field of enzyme technology. The invention relates to amylases which can be used in particular with regard to the use in detergents and cleaning agents, all sufficiently similar amylases with a correspondingly similar sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 2 and nucleic acids coding for them. The invention further relates to the preparation thereof and to processes for using these amylases, their use as such and compositions containing them, in particular washing and cleaning agents.

Description

The invention is in the field of enzyme technology. The invention relates to amylases which can be used in particular with regard to the use in detergents and cleaning agents, all sufficiently similar amylases with a correspondingly similar sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 2 and nucleic acids coding for them. The invention further relates to the preparation thereof and to processes for using these amylases, their use as such and compositions containing them, in particular washing and cleaning agents.

Alpha-amylases are among the most technically important enzymes. Their use for detergents and cleaning agents is established industrially and they are typically contained in modern, powerful detergents and cleaners. An amylase is an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of the internal a (1-4) glycoside bonds of amylose but not the cleavage of terminal or α (1-6) glycoside bonds. Amylases are therefore a group of esterases (E.C. 3.2.1.1.). Amylases catalyze the cleavage of starch, glycogen, and other oligo- and polysaccharides that have a (1-4) -glycoside linkage. In this respect, amylases act against starch residues in the laundry and catalyze their hydrolysis (endohydrolysis). Amylases with broad substrate spectra are used in particular where inhomogeneous raw materials or substrate mixtures have to be reacted, that is to say, for example, in detergents and cleaners, since contaminations may consist of differently structured starch molecules and oligosaccharides. The amylases used in the washing or cleaning agents known from the prior art are usually of microbial origin and are generally derived from bacteria or fungi, for example the genera Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, Micrococcus, Humicola, Trichoderma or Trichosporon, in particular Bacillus. Alpha-amylases are usually produced by biotechnological methods known per se by suitable microorganisms, for example by transgenic expression hosts of the genera Bacillus or by filamentous fungi.

The patent US8512986 discloses amylase and its use in a starch liquefaction process wherein starch is degraded into small oligo- and / or polysaccharide fragments.

Also the American patent applications US 7407677 B2 and US 8852912 B2 disclose specific amylases and their fragments for use in detergents and cleaners. Nonetheless, there remains a need for amylase variants that have altered biochemical properties and thereby provide improved performance in industrial applications.

Surprisingly, it has now been found that an amylase from Basidiomyceta, in particular Pycnoporus sanguineus (Psan), or a sufficiently similar amylase (based on the sequence identity), is particularly suitable for use in detergents or cleaners because it has a broad spectrum of starch Substrates hydrolyzed under standard washing conditions.

The invention therefore in a first aspect is an amylase comprising an amino acid sequence which has at least 80% sequence identity with the amino acid sequence given in SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 2 over its entire length, or variants thereof. The variants according to the invention are characterized in that they are obtainable from an amylase which has an amino acid sequence with at least 80% sequence identity with the amino acid sequence given in SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 2 over its entire length as the starting molecule by means of on or multiple conservative amino acid substitution. Alternatively or additionally, the variants according to the invention are characterized in that they are obtainable as starting molecule from an amylase which has an amino acid sequence with at least 80% sequence identity with the amino acid sequence given in SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 2 over its entire length Fragmentation, deletion, insertion or substitution mutagenesis and an amino acid sequence contiguous over a length of at least 487, 490, 495, 500, 503, 504, 505, 506, 507, 508, 509, 510, 511, 512 or 513 Amino acids coincides with the starting molecule.

Another object of the invention is a method for producing an amylase comprising providing a Ausgangssamylase having at least 80% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 2 over its entire length or variant of the starting spermase, wherein the Variant as defined above.

An amylase within the meaning of the present patent application therefore comprises both the amylase as such and an amylase prepared by a process according to the invention. All versions for Amylase therefore relates both to the amylase as a substance and to the corresponding processes, in particular the production process of the amylase. A nucleotide sequence corresponding to the amino acid sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 2 is given in SEQ ID NO: 3 or SEQ ID NO: 4.

Further subject matters of the invention are nucleic acids which encode nucleic acids encoding the amylases according to the invention or the preparation processes for amylases according to the invention, non-human host cells containing amylases or nucleic acids according to the invention.

The invention further relates to amylases comprising agents, in particular washing and cleaning agents, washing and cleaning processes, and uses defined by the amylases described herein, wherein the amylases used in this case at least 80% sequence identity with the in SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 2 indicated amino acid sequence over the entire length or variants thereof are. The variants used here are characterized in that they are obtainable as starting molecule from an amylase which has an amino acid sequence with at least 80% sequence identity with the amino acid sequence given in SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 2 over its entire length. or multiple conservative amino acid substitution. Alternatively or additionally, the variants used are characterized in that they are obtainable as starting molecule from an amylase which has an amino acid sequence with at least 80% sequence identity with the amino acid sequence given in SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 2 over its entire length Fragmentation, deletion, insertion or substitution mutagenesis and an amino acid sequence contiguous over a length of at least 487, 490, 495, 500, 503, 504, 505, 506, 507, 508, 509, 510, 511, 512 or 513 Amino acids coincides with the starting molecule.

The present invention is based on the surprising finding of the inventors that an amylase according to the invention from Basidiomyceta, in particular Pycnoporus sanguineus, which comprises at least 80% identical amino acid sequence to the amino acid sequence given in SEQ ID NO: 1, the hydrolysis of a broad spectrum of starch Substrates under standard washing conditions causes. This is particularly surprising insofar as that hitherto for none of the amylases from Basidiomyceta, in particular Pycnoporus sanguineus, the use in detergents or cleaning agents has been described.

The amylases according to the invention have a high stability in detergents or cleaners, for example with respect to surfactants and / or bleaches and / or to temperature influences, and / or acidic or alkaline conditions and / or to pH changes and / or to denaturing or oxidizing agents and / or against proteolytic degradation and / or against a change in the redox ratios. Thus, with particularly preferred embodiments of the invention, performance-enhanced amylase variants are provided. Such advantageous embodiments of amylases according to the invention consequently enable improved wash results of starch-containing stains in a wide temperature range.

An amylase according to the invention has an enzymatic activity, that is to say it is capable of hydrolysing starch and oligosaccharides, in particular in a washing or cleaning agent. An amylase of the invention is therefore an enzyme which catalyzes the hydrolysis of a (1-4) -glycoside bonds in glycoside substrates and thereby is able to cleave starch or oligosaccharides. Further, an amylase of the invention is preferably a mature amylase, i. to the catalytically active molecule without signal and / or propeptide (s). Unless otherwise stated, the sequences given refer to each mature (processed) enzymes. As used herein, SEQ ID NO: 1 is the amino acid sequence of the mature protein, SEQ ID NO: 2 indicates the sequence, including signal peptide.

"Amylase of the invention" as used herein refers to amylases which are at least 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 90, 5%, 91%, 91.5%, 92%, 92.5%, 93%, 93.5%, 94%, 94.5%, 95%, 95.5%, 96%, 96.5% , 97%, 97.5%, 98%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99.0%, 99.1%, 99.2 %, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% sequence identity with that shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 2 indicated amino acid sequence over the entire length or variants thereof are. The variants are characterized by being obtainable from an amylase having the indicated sequence identity as the starting molecule by one or more conservative amino acid substitutions. Alternatively or additionally, the variants used are characterized in that they are obtainable from an amylase having the stated sequence identity as the starting molecule by fragmentation, deletion, insertion or substitution mutagenesis and comprises an amino acid sequence which extends over a length of at least 487, 490, 495, 500, 503, 504, 505, 506, 507, 508, 509, 510, 511, 512 or 513 contiguous amino acids matches the parent molecule.

In various embodiments of the invention, the amylase comprises an amino acid sequence which corresponds to the amino acid sequence given in SEQ ID NO: 1 over at least 95% of its total length, 95.5%, 96%, 96.5%, 97%, 97.5%. , 98%, 98.5%, 98.8%, 99.0%, 99.2%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6% or 99.8%.

In other various embodiments of the invention, the amylase is a free enzyme. This means that the amylase can act directly with all components of an agent and, if the agent is a liquid agent, that the amylase is in direct contact with the solvent of the agent (e.g., water) of the invention. In other embodiments, the amylase of the invention may form an interaction complex with other molecules or contain an "envelope" in an agent. Here, a single or multiple amylase molecules may be separated from the other components of an agent by a surrounding structure. Such a separating structure may arise from, but is not limited to, vesicles such as a micelle or a liposome. The surrounding structure may also be a virus particle, a bacterial cell or a eukaryotic cell. In various embodiments, the amylase of the invention may be contained in Basidiomyceta cells expressing this amylase or in cell culture supernatants of such cells.

The identity of nucleic acid or amino acid sequences is determined by a sequence comparison. This sequence comparison is based on the BLAST algorithm established in the prior art and commonly used ( see. For example, Altschul, SF, Gish, W., Miller, W., Myers, EW & Lipman, DJ (1990) "Basic local alignment search tool." Biol. 215: 403-410, and Altschul, Stephan F., Thomas L. Madden, Alejandro A. Schaffer, Jinghui Zhang, Hheng Zhang, Webb Miller, and David J. Lipman (1997): "Gapped BLAST and PSI-BLAST: a new generation of protein database search programs "; Nucleic Acids Res., 25, pp.3389-3402 ) and in principle occurs in that similar sequences of nucleotides or amino acids in the nucleic acid or amino acid sequences are assigned to each other. A tabular assignment of the respective positions is referred to as alignment. Another algorithm available in the prior art is the FASTA algorithm. Sequence comparisons (alignments), in particular multiple sequence comparisons, are created with computer programs. Frequently used, for example, the Clustal series ( see. for example, Chenna et al. (2003): Multiple sequence alignment with the Clustal series of programs. Nucleic Acid Research 31, 3497-3500), T-Coffee ( see. For example, Notredame et al. (2000): T-Coffee: A novel method for multiple sequence alignments. J. Mol. Biol. 302, 205-217 ) or programs based on these programs or algorithms. Also possible are alignment comparisons (alignments) with the computer program Vector NTI® Suite 10.3 (Invitrogen Corporation, 1600 Faraday Avenue, Carlsbad, California, USA) with the default parameters whose AlignX module for sequence comparisons is based on ClustalW.

Such a comparison also allows a statement about the similarity of the compared sequences to each other. It is usually given in percent identity, that is, the proportion of identical nucleotides or amino acid residues at the same or in an alignment corresponding positions. The broader concept of homology involves conserved amino acid substitutions in the consideration of amino acid sequences, that is, amino acids with similar chemical activity, as these usually perform similar chemical activities within the protein. Therefore, the similarity of the sequences compared may also be stated as percent homology or percent similarity. Identity and / or homology information can be made about whole polypeptides or genes or only over individual regions. Homologous or identical regions of different nucleic acid or amino acid sequences are therefore defined by matches in the sequences. Such areas often have identical functions. They can be small and comprise only a few nucleotides or amino acids. Often, such small regions exert essential functions for the overall activity of the protein. It may therefore be useful to refer to sequence matches only to individual, possibly small areas. Unless otherwise indicated, identity or homology information in the present application, however, refers to the total length of the particular nucleic acid or amino acid sequence indicated.

In the context of the present invention, the indication that an amino acid position of a numerically designated position in SEQ ID NO: 1 corresponds to the corresponding position being assigned to the numerically designated position in SEQ ID NO: 1 in an alignment as defined above.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the amylase is characterized in that its purification performance is not significantly reduced compared to that of an amylase comprising an amino acid sequence corresponding to the amino acid sequences given in SEQ ID NO: 1, ie at least 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95% of the reference washing performance. The cleaning performance can be in a washing system containing a detergent in a dosage between 4.5 and 7.0 grams per liter of wash liquor and the amylase, wherein the amylases to be compared in concentration (based on active protein) are used and the cleaning performance against a cotton spill is determined by measuring the degree of purification of the washed textiles. For example, the washing process for 60 minutes at a temperature of 40 ° C and the water have a water hardness between 15.5 and 16.5 ° (German hardness). The concentration of the amylase in the detergent intended for this washing system is from 0.001 to 1% by weight, preferably from 0.001 to 0.1% by weight, and more preferably from 0.01 to 0.06% by weight on active, purified protein.

A preferred liquid detergent for such a washing system is composed as follows (all figures in weight percent): 7% alkylbenzenesulfonic acid, 9% anionic surfactants, 4% Na salts of C12-C18 fatty acids, 7% nonionic surfactants, 0, 7% phosphonates, 3.2% citric acid, 3.0% NaOH, 0.04% defoamer, 5.7% 1,2-propanediol, 0.1% preservatives, 2% ethanol, 0.2% dye transfer Inhibitor, remainder demineralized water. Preferably, the dosage of the liquid detergent is between 4.5 and 6.0 grams per liter of wash liquor, for example, 4.7, 4.9 or 5.9 grams per liter of wash liquor. Preference is given to washing in a pH range between pH 7.5 and pH 10.5, preferably between pH 7.5 and pH 9.

In the context of the invention, the determination of the cleaning performance at 40 ° C using a liquid detergent as stated above, wherein the washing process is preferably carried out for 60 minutes.

The degree of whiteness, i. the brightening of the stains, as a measure of the cleaning performance is determined by optical measurement methods, preferably photometrically. A suitable device for this purpose is for example the spectrometer Minolta CM508d. Usually, the devices used for the measurement are previously calibrated with a white standard, preferably a supplied white standard.

The activity-equivalent use of the respective amylase ensures that even if the ratio of active substance to total protein (the values of the specific activity) diverge, the respective enzymatic properties, for example the cleaning performance of certain soils, are compared. In general, a low specific activity can be compensated by adding a larger amount of protein.

The amylase activity is determined in a customary manner, preferably by an optical measuring method, preferably a photometric method. The appropriate test involves the amylase-dependent cleavage of the substrate para-nitrophenyl maltoheptaoside. This is cleaved by the amylase into para-nitrophenyl oligosaccharide. The para-nitrophenyl oligosaccharide is in turn catalyzed by the enzymes glucoamylase and alpha-glucosidase to glucose and para-nitrophenol. The presence of para-nitrophenol can be measured using a photometer, e.g. of the Tecan Sunrise device and the XFLUOR software, are determined at 405 nm and thus allows a conclusion on the enzymatic activity of the amylase.

The protein concentration can be determined by known methods, for example the BCA method (bicinchoninic acid, 2,2'-biquinolyl-4,4'-dicarboxylic acid) or the biuret method ( Gornall AG, CS Bardawill and MM David, J. Biol. Chem., 177 (1948), pp. 751-766 ). The determination of the active protein concentration in this regard can be achieved by titration of the active sites using a suitable irreversible inhibitor and determination of the residual activity ( see. Bender, M., et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 88, 24 (1966), p. 5890-5913 ) respectively.

Proteins can be grouped into groups of immunologically related proteins by reaction with an antiserum or antibody. The members of such a group are characterized by having the same antigenic determinant recognized by an antibody. They are therefore structurally so similar to each other that they are recognized by an antiserum or specific antibodies. A further subject of the invention therefore forms amylases, which are characterized in that they have at least one and increasingly preferably two, three or four matching antigenic determinants with an amylase according to the invention. Due to their immunological similarity, such amylases are structurally so similar to the amylases according to the invention that a similar function can also be assumed.

Amylases according to the invention can, in comparison to the amylase described in SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 2, further amino acid changes, in particular amino acid substitutions, insertions or deletions. Such amylases are, for example, further developed by targeted genetic modification, ie by mutagenesis methods, and optimized for specific applications or with regard to specific properties (for example with regard to their catalytic activity, stability, etc.). Furthermore, nucleic acids according to the invention can be introduced into recombination approaches and thus used to generate completely novel amylases or other polypeptides.

The goal is to introduce into the known molecules targeted mutations such as substitutions, insertions or deletions, for example, to improve the cleaning performance of enzymes of the invention. For this purpose, in particular the surface charges and / or the isoelectric point of the molecules and thereby their interactions with the substrate can be changed. Thus, for example, the net charge of the enzymes can be changed in order to influence the substrate binding, in particular for use in detergents and cleaners. Alternatively or additionally, the stability of the amylase can be increased even further by one or more corresponding mutations, thereby improving its purification performance. Advantageous properties of individual mutations, e.g. individual substitutions can complement each other. An amylase which has already been optimized with regard to certain properties, for example with regard to its activity and / or its tolerance with regard to the substrate spectrum, can therefore be further developed within the scope of the invention.

For the description of substitutions that concern exactly one amino acid position (amino acid substitutions), the following convention is used: first, the naturally occurring amino acid is designated in the form of the international one-letter code, followed by the associated sequence position and finally the inserted amino acid. Several exchanges within the same polypeptide chain are separated by slashes. For insertions, additional amino acids are named after the sequence position. In the case of deletions, the missing amino acid is replaced by a symbol, for example a star or a dash, or a Δ is specified in front of the corresponding position. For example, R45Q describes the substitution of asparagine at position 45 by glutamine, N45AQ the insertion of alanine after the amino acid asparagine at position 45 and N45 * or ΔN45 the deletion of asparagine at position 45. This nomenclature is known to those skilled in the art of enzyme technology.

Another object of the invention is therefore an amylase, which is characterized in that it is obtainable from an amylase as described above as the starting molecule by one or more conservative amino acid substitution. The term "conservative amino acid substitution" means the substitution of one amino acid residue for another amino acid residue, which substitution does not result in a change in polarity or charge at the position of the exchanged amino acid, e.g. Example, the replacement of a nonpolar amino acid residue against another nonpolar amino acid residue. Conservative amino acid substitutions within the scope of the invention include, for example: G = A = S, I = V = L = M, D = E, N = Q, K = R, Y = F, S = T, G = A = I = V = L = M = Y = F = W = P = S = T. In this case, the amylase before and, for example, even after the conservative amino acid substitution may comprise an amino acid sequence which corresponds to the amino acid sequence given in SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 2 over at least 80%, 81%, 82%, 83% over its entire length. 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 90.5%, 91%, 91.5%, 92%, 92.5%, 93%, 93.5%, 94%, 94.5%, 95%, 95.5%, 96%, 96.5%, 97%, 97.5%, 98%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99.0%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% is identical.

Alternatively or additionally, the amylase is characterized in that it is obtainable from an amylase as described above as the starting molecule by fragmentation, deletion, insertion or substitution mutagenesis and comprises an amino acid sequence having a length of at least 487, 490, 495, 500, 503, 504, 505, 506, 507, 508, 509, 510, 511, 512 or 513 contiguous amino acids matches the parent molecule. In this case, the amylase before and, for example, even after fragmentation, deletion, insertion or substitution mutagenesis, may comprise an amino acid sequence which is at least 80%, at least 80%, of the amino acid sequence given in SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 2 over the entire length thereof. , 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 90.5%, 91%, 91.5%, 92%, 92.5%, 93 %, 93.5%, 94%, 94.5%, 95%, 95.5%, 96%, 96.5%, 97%, 97.5%, 98%, 98.5%, 98.6 %, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99.0%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6% %, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% is identical.

Thus it is possible, for example, to delete individual amino acids at the termini or in the loops of the enzyme, without this losing or reducing the catalytic activity. Furthermore, such fragmentation, deletion, insertion or substitution mutagenesis can also reduce, for example, the allergenicity of the enzymes concerned and thus improve their overall applicability. Advantageously, the enzymes also retain their catalytic activity after mutagenesis, ie their catalytic activity corresponds at least to that of the starting enzyme, ie in a preferred embodiment the catalytic activity is at least 80, preferably at least 90% of the activity of the starting enzyme. Other substitutions can also show beneficial effects. Both single and multiple contiguous amino acids can be substituted for other amino acids.

The further amino acid positions are defined here by an alignment of the amino acid sequence of an amylase according to the invention with the amino acid sequence of the amidase from Basidiomyceta, in particular Pycnoporus sanguineus, as indicated in SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 2. Furthermore, the assignment of the positions depends on the mature (mature) protein. This assignment is also to be used in particular if the amino acid sequence of an amylase according to the invention comprises a higher number of amino acid residues than the amylase from Basidiomyceta, in particular Pycnoporus sanguineus, according to SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 2. Starting from the positions mentioned in the amino acid sequence of the amidase from Basidiomyceta, in particular Pycnoporus sanguineus, the change positions in an amylase according to the invention are those which are just assigned to these positions in an alignment.

Further confirmation of the correct assignment of the amino acids to be changed, ie in particular their functional correspondence, can provide comparative experiments, according to which the two positions assigned to each other on the basis of an alignment are changed in the same way in both amylases compared with each other and if both are observed the enzymatic activity is changed in the same way. If, for example, an amino acid exchange in a certain position of the amylase from Basidiomyceta, in particular Pycnoporus sanguineus, according to SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 2 is accompanied by a change of an enzymatic parameter, for example with the increase of the K _M value, and becomes corresponding change in the enzymatic parameter, ie, for example, also an increase in the K _M value observed in an amylase variant according to the invention, the amino acid exchange was achieved by the same introduced amino acid, it is to be seen here a confirmation of the correct assignment.

In particular, according to the invention also fragments of the amylase are defined as herein, in particular those according to SEQ ID NO: 1, which are shortened at the N- and / or C-terminus such that one or more amino acids of the amylase, for example 1, 2, 3, 4 , 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 are no longer included. Also of these truncated fragments variants can be used in various embodiments of the invention, to the starting from the amino acid sequence given in SEQ ID NO: 1 truncated by (each) 1 to 10 N-terminal and / or C-terminal amino acids form over the total length should be at least 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 90.5%, 91%, 91.5%, 92%, 92.5%, 93%, 93.5%, 94%, 94.5%, 95%, 95.5%, 96%, 96.5%, 97%, 97.5%, 98% , 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99.0%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4% , 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% are identical.

For example, according to the invention, amylases are also detected which have an amino acid sequence which comprises, via the amylase, an amino acid sequence which has at least 80%, preferably at least 95%, sequence identity with the amino acid sequence given in SEQ ID NO: 1 over its entire length or the variants described herein from this, without thereby losing or reducing the catalytic activity. Preferably such amylases are those which have N- and / or C-terminal additional amino acids, for example the signal peptide or fragments of the signal peptide, whereby the signal peptide or the fragments of the signal peptide are formed in the production of the amylase.

According to the invention, amylases are also detected which have an amino acid sequence which has an amino acid sequence which has at least 80%, preferably at least 95% sequence identity with the amino acid sequence given in SEQ ID NO: 2 or the variants thereof described herein, at the N Terminals are shortened such that the signal peptide or one or more amino acids of the signal peptide, for example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 or 17, especially the N-terminal 17 amino acids are no longer included. Also of these amylases with the signal peptide or fragments of the signal peptide can be used in various embodiments of the invention variants which are shortened by 1 to 17 N-terminal amino acids starting from the amino acid sequence given in SEQ ID NO: 2, over the total length at least 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 90.5%, 91%, 91.5% , 92%, 92.5%, 93%, 93.5%, 94%, 94.5%, 95%, 95.5%, 96%, 96.5%, 97%, 97.5%, 98 %, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99.0%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4% %, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% are identical.

All these facts are also applicable to the process of the invention for the preparation of an amylase.

1. a) Einbringen einer ein- oder mehrfachen konservativen Aminosäuresubstitution in eine Ausgangs-Amylase gemäß SEQ ID NO:1 oder SED ID NO:2;
2. b) Veränderung der in SEQ ID NO:1 oder SED ID NO:2 angegebenen Aminosäuresequenz durch Fragmentierung, Deletions-, Insertions- oder Substitutionsmutagenese derart, dass die Amylase eine Aminosäuresequenz umfasst, die über eine Länge von mindestens 487, 490, 495, 500, 503, 504, 505, 506, 507, 508, 509, 510, 511, 512 oder 513 zusammenhängenden Aminosäuren mit dem Ausgangsmolekül übereinstimmt.

Accordingly, a method according to the invention comprises a method for producing an amylase comprising the provision of an initial amylase which has at least 80%, preferably at least 95% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence given in SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 2 over its entire length or variant of Starting amylase, wherein the inventive method for producing the variant comprises, for example, one or more of the following process steps:

1. a) introduction of a single or multiple conservative amino acid substitution into an initial amylase according to SEQ ID NO: 1 or SED ID NO: 2;
2. b) altering the amino acid sequence given in SEQ ID NO: 1 or SED ID NO: 2 by fragmentation, deletion, insertion or substitution mutagenesis such that the amylase comprises an amino acid sequence of at least 487, 490, 495, 500 , 503, 504, 505, 506, 507, 508, 509, 510, 511, 512 or 513 contiguous amino acids matches the parent molecule.

All embodiments also apply to the inventive method.

In further embodiments of the invention, the amylase or the amylase prepared by a process according to the invention is still at least 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90 %, 90.5%, 91%, 91.5%, 92%, 92.5%, 93%, 93.5%, 94%, 94.5%, 95%, 95.5%, 96%, 96.5%, 97%, 97.5%, 98%, 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99.0%, 99.1% , 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4%, 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% identical to that given in SEQ ID NO: 1 Amino acid sequence over its entire length.

Another object of the invention is a previously described amylase, which is additionally stabilized, in particular by one or more mutations, for example substitutions, or by coupling to a polymer. For an increase in stability during storage and / or during use, for example during the washing process, causes the enzymatic activity to last longer and thus improve the cleaning performance. In principle, all stabilization options described in the prior art and / or appropriate considerations come into consideration. Preference is given to those stabilizations which are achieved by mutations of the enzyme itself, since such stabilizations do not require any further working steps following the recovery of the enzyme. Examples of sequence changes suitable for this purpose are mentioned above. Other suitable sequence changes are known from the prior art.

• - Schutz gegen den Einfluss von denaturierenden Agentien wie Tensiden durch Mutationen, die eine Veränderung der Aminosäuresequenz auf oder an der Oberfläche des Proteins bewirken;
• - Austausch von Aminosäuren, die nahe dem N-Terminus liegen, gegen solche, die vermutlich über nicht-kovalente Wechselwirkungen mit dem Rest des Moleküls in Kontakt treten und somit einen Beitrag zur Aufrechterhaltung der globulären Struktur leisten.

Options for stabilization include:

• Protection against the influence of denaturing agents, such as surfactants, on mutations causing an alteration of the amino acid sequence on or at the surface of the protein;
• Replacement of amino acids located near the N-terminus against those likely to contact non-covalent interactions with the rest of the molecule, thus contributing to the maintenance of the globular structure.

Preferred embodiments are those in which the enzyme is stabilized in several ways, as several stabilizing mutations act additive or synergistic.

Another object of the invention is an amylase as described above, which is characterized in that it has at least one chemical modification. An amylase with such a change is called a derivative, i. the amylase is derivatized.

For the purposes of the present application, derivatives are understood as meaning those proteins whose pure amino acid chain has been chemically modified. Such derivatizations can be done, for example, in vivo by the host cell expressing the protein. In this regard, couplings of low molecular weight compounds such as lipids or oligosaccharides are particularly noteworthy. However, derivatizations can also be carried out in vitro, for example by the chemical transformation of a side chain of an amino acid or by covalent binding of another compound to the protein. For example, the coupling of amines to carboxyl groups of an enzyme to alter the isoelectric point is possible. Such another compound may also be another protein that is bound to a protein of the invention via bifunctional chemical compounds, for example. Similarly, derivatization is to be understood as meaning the covalent binding to a macromolecular carrier, or else a noncovalent inclusion in suitable macromolecular cage structures. For example, derivatizations may affect substrate specificity or binding strength to the substrate or may be a temporary blocking of the substrate cause enzymatic activity when the coupled substance is an inhibitor. This can be useful, for example, for the period of storage. Such modifications may further affect stability or enzymatic activity. They can also serve to reduce the allergenicity and / or immunogenicity of the protein and thus, for example, increase its skin compatibility. For example, couplings with macromolecular compounds, for example, polyethylene glycol, can improve the protein in terms of stability and / or skin tolerance.

Derivatives of a protein according to the invention can also be understood in the broadest sense to mean preparations of these proteins. Depending on the extraction, processing or preparation, a protein may be associated with various other substances, for example from the culture of the producing microorganisms. A protein may also have been deliberately added to other substances, for example to increase its storage stability. Therefore, all preparations of a protein according to the invention are also according to the invention. This is also independent of whether or not it actually exhibits this enzymatic activity in a particular preparation. Because it may be desired that it has no or only low activity during storage, and unfolds its enzymatic function only at the time of use. This can be controlled, for example, via appropriate accompanying substances. In particular, the joint preparation of amylases with specific inhibitors is possible in this regard.

With regard to all the amylases or amylase variants and / or derivatives described above, particular preference is given in the context of the present invention to those whose catalytic activity and / or their substrate tolerance correspond to those of the amylase according to SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the catalytic activity and the substrate tolerance are as described above be determined.

A further subject of the invention is a nucleic acid which codes for an amylase according to the invention, as well as a vector containing such a nucleic acid, in particular a cloning vector or an expression vector. In preferred embodiments, the nucleic acid is a nucleic acid according to SEQ ID NO: 3 or SEQ ID NO: 4. Accordingly, a particularly preferred vector according to the invention is a vector which comprises a nucleic acid according to SEQ ID NO: 3 or SEQ ID NO: 4.

These may be DNA or RNA molecules. They can be present as a single strand, as a single strand that is complementary to this single strand, or as a double strand. Especially in the case of DNA molecules, the sequences of both complementary strands must be taken into account in all three possible reading frames. Furthermore, it should be noted that different codons, so base triplets, can code for the same amino acids, so that a particular amino acid sequence can be encoded by several different nucleic acids. Due to this degeneracy of the genetic code, all nucleic acid sequences are included in this subject of the invention which can encode any of the above-described amylases. The person skilled in the art is able to determine these nucleic acid sequences unequivocally since, despite the degeneracy of the genetic code, individual codons are assigned defined amino acids. Therefore, the person skilled in the art can easily determine nucleic acids coding for this amino acid sequence on the basis of an amino acid sequence. Furthermore, with nucleic acids according to the invention, one or more codons may be replaced by synonymous codons. This aspect relates in particular to the heterologous expression of the enzymes according to the invention. Thus, each organism, for example a host cell of a production strain, has a particular codon usage. Codon usage is understood to mean the translation of the genetic code into amino acids by the particular organism. Bottlenecks in protein biosynthesis can occur if the codons lying on the nucleic acid in the organism face a comparatively small number of loaded tRNA molecules. Although coding for the same amino acid, this results in a codon being translated less efficiently in the organism than a synonymous codon encoding the same amino acid. Due to the presence of a higher number of tRNA molecules for the synonymous codon, it can be more efficiently translated in the organism.

A person skilled in the art can use well-known methods such as chemical synthesis or the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in combination with molecular biological and / or proteinchemical standard methods, using known DNA and / or amino acid sequences, the corresponding nucleic acids to complete genes manufacture. Such methods are for example from Sambrook, J., Fritsch, E.F. and Maniatis, T. 2001. Molecular cloning: a laboratory manual, 3rd Edition Cold Spring Laboratory Press. known.

For the purposes of the present invention, vectors are understood as consisting of nucleic acids which contain a nucleic acid according to the invention as a characteristic nucleic acid region. They can establish these in a species or cell line over several generations or cell divisions as a stable genetic element. Vectors, especially when used in bacteria, are special plasmids, ie circular genetic elements. In the context of the present invention, a nucleic acid according to the invention is cloned into a vector. The vectors include, for example, those whose origin are bacterial plasmids, viruses or bacteriophages, or predominantly synthetic vectors or plasmids with elements of various origins. With the other genetic elements present in each case, vectors are able to establish themselves as stable units in the relevant host cells over several generations. They may be extrachromosomal as separate units or integrated into a chromosome or chromosomal DNA.

Expression vectors comprise nucleic acid sequences which enable them to replicate in the host cells containing them, preferably microorganisms, particularly preferably bacteria, and to express a contained nucleic acid there. In particular, expression is influenced by the promoter (s) that regulate transcription. In principle, the expression may be effected by the natural promoter originally located in front of the nucleic acid to be expressed, but also by a promoter of the host cell provided on the expression vector or also by a modified or completely different promoter of another organism or another host cell. In the present case, at least one promoter for the expression of a nucleic acid according to the invention is made available and used for its expression. Furthermore, expression vectors can be regulatable, for example by changing the culturing conditions or when a specific cell density of the host cells contained therein is reached or by addition of specific substances, in particular activators of gene expression. An example of such a substance is the galactose derivative isopropyl-β-D-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG), which is used as an activator of the bacterial lactose operon (lac operon). In contrast to expression vectors, the nucleic acid contained is not expressed in cloning vectors.

A further subject of the invention is a non-human host cell which contains a nucleic acid according to the invention or a vector according to the invention, or which contains an amylase according to the invention, in particular one which secretes the amylase into the medium surrounding the host cell. Preferably, a nucleic acid according to the invention or a vector according to the invention is transformed into a microorganism, which then represents a host cell according to the invention. Alternatively, individual components, i. Nucleic acid portions or fragments of a nucleic acid according to the invention are introduced into a host cell such that the resulting host cell contains a nucleic acid according to the invention or a vector according to the invention. This procedure is particularly suitable when the host cell already contains one or more constituents of a nucleic acid according to the invention or a vector according to the invention and the further constituents are then supplemented accordingly. Methods of transforming cells are well established in the art and well known to those skilled in the art. In principle, all cells, that is to say prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells, are suitable as host cells. Preference is given to those host cells which can be handled genetically advantageously, for example as regards the transformation with the nucleic acid or the vector and its stable establishment, for example unicellular fungi or bacteria. Furthermore, preferred host cells are characterized by good microbiological and biotechnological handling. This concerns, for example, easy culturing, high growth rates, low demands on fermentation media and good production and secretion rates for foreign proteins. Preferred host cells according to the invention secrete the (transgenially) expressed protein into the medium surrounding the host cells. Furthermore, the amylases can be modified by the producing cells after their production, for example by attachment of sugar molecules, formylations, aminations, etc. Such post-translational modifications can functionally affect the amylase.

Further preferred embodiments are those host cells which are regulatable in their activity due to genetic regulatory elements which are provided, for example, on the vector, but may also be present in these cells from the outset. For example, by controlled addition of chemical compounds that serve as activators, by changing the culture conditions or when reaching a specific cell density, these can be excited for expression. This enables an economical production of the proteins according to the invention. An example of such a compound is IPTG as described above.

Preferred host cells are prokaryotic or bacterial cells. Bacteria are characterized by short generation times and low demands on cultivation conditions. As a result, inexpensive cultivation methods or production methods can be established. In addition, the expert has a wealth of experience in bacteria in fermentation technology. For a special one Production may be suitable for a variety of reasons to be determined experimentally in individual cases, such as nutrient sources, product formation rate, time requirement, etc., Gram-negative or Gram-positive bacteria.

In Gram-negative bacteria, such as Escherichia coli, a large number of proteins are secreted into the periplasmic space, ie into the compartment between the two membranes enclosing the cells. This can be advantageous for special applications. Furthermore, Gram-negative bacteria can also be designed such that they eject the expressed proteins not only into the periplasmic space but into the medium surrounding the bacterium. In contrast, gram-positive bacteria such as Bacilli or Actinomycetes or other representatives of Actinomycetales have no outer membrane, so that secreted proteins are released immediately into the medium surrounding the bacteria, usually the nutrient medium, from which the expressed proteins can be purified. They can be isolated directly from the medium or further processed. In addition, Gram-positive bacteria are related or identical to most of the organisms of origin for technically important enzymes and usually form even comparable enzymes, so they have a similar codon use and their protein synthesizer is naturally aligned accordingly.

Host cells according to the invention may be altered in their requirements of the culture conditions, have different or additional selection markers or express other or additional proteins. In particular, it may also be those host cells which express several proteins or enzymes transgene.

The present invention is applicable in principle to all microorganisms, in particular to all fermentable microorganisms, more preferably to those of the genus Bacillus and leads to the fact that can be produced by the use of such microorganisms proteins of the invention. Such microorganisms then represent host cells in the sense of the invention.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the host cell is characterized in that it is a bacterium, preferably one selected from the genera of Escherichia, Klebsiella, Bacillus, Staphylococcus, Corynebacterium, Arthrobacter, Streptomyces, Stenotrophomonas and Pseudomonas, more preferably one selected from the group consisting of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella planticola, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus lentus, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus alcalophilus, Bacillus globigii, Bacillus gibsonii, Bacillus clausii, Bacillus halodurans, Bacillus pumilus, Staphylococcus carnosus, Corynebacterium glutamicum , Arthrobacter oxidans, Streptomyces lividans, Streptomyces coelicolor and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia.

The host cell may also be a eukaryotic cell, which is characterized by having a cell nucleus. A further subject of the invention therefore represents a host cell, which is characterized in that it has a cell nucleus. In contrast to prokaryotic cells, eukaryotic cells are capable of post-translationally modifying the protein formed. Examples thereof are fungi such as Actinomycetes or yeasts such as Saccharomyces or Kluyveromyces. This may be particularly advantageous, for example, if the proteins are to undergo specific modifications in the context of their synthesis that enable such systems. Modifications that eukaryotic systems perform, especially in connection with protein synthesis, include, for example, the binding of low molecular weight compounds such as membrane anchors or oligosaccharides. Such oligosaccharide modifications may be desirable, for example, to lower the allergenicity of an expressed protein. Also, coexpression with the enzymes naturally produced by such cells, such as cellulases, may be advantageous. Furthermore, for example, thermophilic fungal expression systems may be particularly suitable for the expression of temperature-resistant proteins or variants. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the host cell is a basidiomycete cell.

The host cells according to the invention are cultured and fermented in the usual way, for example in discontinuous or continuous systems. In the first case, a suitable nutrient medium is inoculated with the host cells and the product is harvested from the medium after an experimentally determined period of time. Continuous fermentations are characterized by achieving a flow equilibrium, in which over a relatively long period of time cells partly die out but also regrow and at the same time the protein formed can be removed from the medium.

1. a) Kultivieren einer erfindungsgemäßen Wirtszelle, und
2. b) Isolieren der Amylase aus dem Kulturmedium oder aus der Wirtszelle.

Host cells according to the invention are preferably used to produce amylases according to the invention. Another object of the invention is therefore a process for preparing an amylase comprising

1. a) cultivating a host cell according to the invention, and
2. b) isolating the amylase from the culture medium or from the host cell.

This subject invention preferably comprises fermentation processes. Fermentation processes are known per se from the prior art and represent the actual large-scale production step, usually followed by a suitable purification method of the product produced, for example the amylase according to the invention. All fermentation processes which are based on a corresponding process for preparing an amylase according to the invention represent embodiments of this subject matter of the invention.

Fermentation processes, which are characterized in that the fermentation is carried out via a feed strategy, come in particular into consideration. Here, the media components consumed by the ongoing cultivation are fed. As a result, considerable increases can be achieved both in the cell density and in the cell mass or dry matter and / or in particular in the activity of the amylase of interest. Furthermore, the fermentation can also be designed so that undesired metabolic products are filtered out or neutralized by the addition of buffer or suitable counterions.

The produced amylase can be harvested from the fermentation medium. Such a fermentation process is resistant to isolation of the amylase from the host cell, i. however, requires the provision of suitable host cells or one or more suitable secretion markers or mechanisms and / or transport systems for the host cells to secrete the amylase into the fermentation medium. Alternatively, without secretion, isolation of the amylase from the host cell, i. a purification of the same from the cell mass, carried out, for example by precipitation with ammonium sulfate or ethanol, or by chromatographic purification.

All of the above-described facts can be combined into processes to produce amylases of the invention.

Another object of the invention is an agent characterized by containing an amylase as described herein. The amylase has thereby 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 90.5%, 91%, 91.5%, 92%, 92.5%, 93%, 93.5%, 94%, 94.5%, 95%, 95.5%, 96%, 96.5%, 97%, 97.5%, 98% , 98.5%, 98.6%, 98.7%, 98.8%, 98.9%, 99.0%, 99.1%, 99.2%, 99.3%, 99.4% , 99.5%, 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8% or 99.9% sequence identity with the amino acid sequence given in SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 2 over its entire length or is a above-described variant thereof, which is obtainable starting from an above-described amylase as starting molecule and before and preferably also after the variation has the specified sequence identity with SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 2. The agent is preferably a washing or cleaning agent.

This subject matter of the invention includes all conceivable types of detergents or cleaners, both concentrates and undiluted agents, for use on a commercial scale, in the washing machine or in hand washing or cleaning. These include detergents for textiles, carpets, or natural fibers, for which the term detergent is used. These include, for example, dishwashing detergents for dishwashers or manual dishwashing detergents or cleaners for hard surfaces such as metal, glass, porcelain, ceramics, tiles, stone, painted surfaces, plastics, wood or leather, for which the term detergent is used, ie in addition to manual and machine Dishwashing agents, for example, scouring agents, glass cleaners, toilet scenters, etc. The washing and cleaning agents in the invention also include washing aids which are added to the actual detergent in the manual or machine textile laundry to achieve a further effect. Furthermore, laundry detergents and cleaners in the context of the invention also include textile pre-treatment and post-treatment agents, ie those agents with which the laundry item is brought into contact before the actual laundry, for example to dissolve stubborn soiling, and also agents which are in one of the actual Textile laundry downstream step to give the laundry further desirable properties such as comfortable grip, crease resistance or low static charge. Among the latter, i.a. calculated the fabric softener.

The washing or cleaning agents according to the invention, which may be in the form of homogeneous solutions or suspensions as powdered solids, in densified particle form, may contain, in addition to an amylase according to the invention, all known ingredients customary in such agents, wherein preferably at least one further ingredient is present in the agent. The agents according to the invention may in particular contain surfactants, builders, peroxygen compounds or bleach activators. In addition, they may contain water-miscible organic solvents, further enzymes, sequestering agents, electrolytes, pH regulators and / or further auxiliaries such as optical brighteners, grayness inhibitors, foam regulators, as well as dyes and fragrances, and combinations thereof.

In particular, a combination of an amylase according to the invention with one or more further ingredients of the composition is advantageous, since in preferred embodiments according to the invention such an agent has an improved cleaning performance by virtue of resulting synergisms. In particular, by combining an amylase according to the invention with a surfactant and / or a builder (builder) and / or a peroxygen compound and / or a bleach activator, such a synergism can be achieved.

Advantageous ingredients of agents according to the invention are disclosed in the international patent application WO2009 / 121725 starting there on page 5, penultimate paragraph, and ending on page 13 after the second paragraph. This disclosure is incorporated herein by reference and the disclosure is incorporated herein by reference. (+)

1. (a) 1-85 Gew.-%, vorzugsweise 5-65 Gew.-%, Tenside enthält; und/oder
2. (b) 0-45 Gew.-%, vorzugsweise 0,1-15 Gew.-%, Builder (Gerüststoffe) enthält; und/oder
3. (c) 0,0005-15 Gew.-%, vorzugsweise 0,001-5 Gew.-%, Protease enthält; und/oder
4. (d) 0,0005-15 Gew.-%, vorzugsweise 0,001-5 Gew.-%, Lipase enthält; und/oder
5. (e) 0,00005-15 Gew.-%, vorzugsweise 0,0001-5 Gew.-%, Mannanase enthält; und/oder
6. (f) 0,00005-15 Gew.-%, vorzugsweise 0,0001-5 Gew.-%, Cellulase/Pektatlyase enthält; und/oder
7. (g) 0,00005-15 g/Waschladung, vorzugsweise 0,0001-5 g/Waschladung, Xanthanlyase enthält; und/oder
8. (h) 0,00005-15 g/Waschladung, vorzugsweise 0,00005-15 g/Waschladung, Endoglucanase, die fähig ist Xanthan zu verdauen, enthält.

In further embodiments of the invention, the agent is characterized in that it

1. (a) 1-85 wt%, preferably 5-65 wt%, of surfactants; and or
2. (b) 0-45 wt.%, preferably 0.1-15 wt.% builder (builders); and or
3. (c) 0.0005-15 wt%, preferably 0.001-5 wt%, of protease; and or
4. (d) 0.0005-15% by weight, preferably 0.001-5% by weight, of lipase; and or
5. (e) 0.00005-15% by weight, preferably 0.0001-5% by weight, of mannanase; and or
6. (f) 0.00005-15 wt.%, preferably 0.0001-5 wt.%, of cellulase / pectate lyase; and or
7. (g) 0.00005-15 g / wash load, preferably 0.0001-5 g / wash load, xanthan lyase; and or
8. (h) 0.00005-15 g / wash load, preferably 0.00005-15 g / wash load, endoglucanase capable of digesting xanthan gum.

An agent according to the invention advantageously contains the amylase in an amount of from 2 μg to 20 mg, preferably from 5 μg to 17.5 mg, more preferably from 20 μg to 15 mg and very particularly preferably from 50 μg to 10 mg per g of the composition. In addition, the composition according to the invention may advantageously contain the amylase in an amount of 0.00005-15% by weight, based on the active enzyme and the total weight of the composition, preferably of 0.0001-5% by weight and more preferably of 0.001%. 1 wt .-% included. Further, the amylase contained in the agent, and / or other ingredients of the agent, may be enveloped with a substance impermeable to the enzyme at room temperature or in the absence of water, which becomes permeable to the enzyme under conditions of use of the agent. Such an embodiment of the invention is thus characterized in that the amylase is coated with a substance which is impermeable to the amylase at room temperature or in the absence of water. Furthermore, the washing or cleaning agent itself may be packaged in a container, preferably an air-permeable container, from which it is released shortly before use or during the washing process.

1. (a) in fester Form vorliegt, insbesondere als rieselfähiges Pulver mit einem Schüttgewicht von 300 g/l bis 1200 g/l, insbesondere 500 g/l bis 900 g/l, oder
2. (b) in pastöser oder in flüssiger Form vorliegt, und/oder
3. (c) in gelförmiger oder dosierbeutelförmiger (Pouches) Form vorliegt, und/oder
4. (d) als Einkomponentensystem vorliegt, oder
5. (e) in mehrere Komponenten aufgeteilt ist.

In further embodiments of the invention, the agent is characterized in that it

1. (a) is in solid form, in particular as a free-flowing powder having a bulk density of 300 g / l to 1200 g / l, in particular 500 g / l to 900 g / l, or
2. (b) is in pasty or liquid form, and / or
3. (c) is in the form of a gel or pouch, and / or
4. (d) is present as a one-component system, or
5. (e) is divided into several components.

These embodiments of the present invention include all solid, powdered, liquid, gelatinous or paste-like administration forms of compositions according to the invention, which if appropriate can also consist of several phases and can be present in compressed or uncompressed form. The agent can be present as a free-flowing powder, in particular with a bulk density of 300 g / l to 1200 g / l, in particular 500 g / l to 900 g / l or 600 g / l to 850 g / l. The solid dosage forms of the composition also include extrudates, granules, tablets or pouches. Alternatively, the agent can also be liquid, gelatinous or pasty, for example in the form of a non-aqueous liquid detergent or a non-aqueous paste or in the form of an aqueous liquid detergent or a water-containing paste. Furthermore, the agent may be present as a one-component system. Such funds consist of one phase. Alternatively, an agent can also consist of several phases. Such an agent is therefore divided into several components.

Detergents or cleaning agents according to the invention may contain exclusively an amylase. Alternatively, they may also contain other hydrolytic enzymes or other enzymes in a concentration effective for the effectiveness of the agent. A further embodiment of the invention thus represents agents which further comprise one or more further enzymes. Other enzymes which can be used as further enzymes are all enzymes which can display catalytic activity in the agent according to the invention, in particular a protease, lipase, cellulase, hemicellulase, mannanase, tannase, xylanase, xanthanase, xyloglucanase, .beta.-glucosidase, pectinase, carrageenase, perhydrolase, Oxidase, oxidoreductase or other - distinguishable from the amylases according to the invention -Amylasen, and mixtures thereof. Additional enzymes are advantageously included in the agent each in an amount of 1 × 10 ^-8 to 5 weight percent based on active protein. More preferably, each further enzyme is in an amount of 1 × 10 ^-7 -3 wt%, from 0.00001-1 wt%, from 0.00005-0.5 wt%, from 0.0001 to 0.1 wt .-% and particularly preferably from 0.0001 to 0.05 wt .-% in inventive compositions, based on active protein. Particularly preferably, the enzymes show synergistic cleaning performance against certain stains or stains, ie the enzymes contained in the middle composition mutually support each other in their cleaning performance. Very particular preference is given to such a synergism between the amylase according to the invention and another enzyme of an agent according to the invention, including in particular between said amylase and a lipase and / or a protease and / or a mannanase and / or a cellulase and / or a pectinase , Synergistic effects can occur not only between different enzymes, but also between one or more enzymes and other ingredients of the composition according to the invention.

In the cleaning agents described herein, the enzymes to be used may also be formulated together with accompanying substances, for example from the fermentation. In liquid formulations, the enzymes are preferably used as enzyme liquid formulation (s).

The enzymes are usually not provided in the form of the pure protein, but rather in the form of stabilized, storable and transportable preparations. Such prefabricated preparations include, for example, the solid preparations obtained by granulation, extrusion or lyophilization or, especially in the case of liquid or gel-form detergents, solutions of the enzymes, advantageously as concentrated as possible, low in water and / or added with stabilizers or further auxiliaries.

Alternatively, the enzymes may be encapsulated for both the solid and liquid dosage forms, for example by spray-drying or extruding the enzyme solution together with a preferably natural polymer or in the form of capsules, for example those in which the enzymes are entrapped as in a solidified gel or in those of the core-shell type, in which an enzyme-containing core is coated with a water, air and / or chemical impermeable protective layer. In deposited layers, further active ingredients, for example stabilizers, emulsifiers, pigments, bleaches or dyes, may additionally be applied. Such capsules are applied by methods known per se, for example by shaking or rolling granulation or in fluid-bed processes. Advantageously, such granules, for example by applying polymeric film-forming agent, low in dust and storage stable due to the coating.

The enzymes can also be incorporated into water-soluble films. Such a film allows the release of the enzymes after contact with water. As used herein, "water-soluble" refers to a film structure that is preferably completely water-soluble. However, even films that are substantially water-soluble but have relatively small amounts of a material in the film structure that is not water-soluble; Films containing materials which are water-soluble only at relatively high water temperatures or only under limited pH conditions; and films including a relatively thin layer of water-insoluble material, all included in the term "water-soluble". Preferably, such a film consists of (fully or partially hydrolyzed) polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). However, the film may also contain, solely or in addition to the PVA, acid / acrylate copolymers, preferably methacrylic acid / ethyl acrylate copolymer such as that available from Belland as GBC 2580 and 2600; Styrene-maleic anhydride copolymer (SMA) (available as Scripset (trade name) from Monsanto); Ethylene acrylic acid Copolymer (EAA) or metal salt neutralized ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymer (EMAA), known as ionomer (available from du Pont), wherein the acid content of EAA or EMAA is at least about 20 mole%; Polyether block amide copolymer; Polyhydroxyvaleric acid (available as Biopol (trade name) resins from Imperial Chemical Industries); polyethylene oxide; water-soluble polyester or copolyester; Polyethyloxazoline (PEOX 200 from Dow); and water-soluble polyurethane.

Furthermore, it is possible to assemble two or more enzymes together so that a single granule has several enzyme activities.

A further subject of the invention is a process for the cleaning of textiles or hard surfaces, which is characterized in that in at least one process step, an inventive agent is applied, or that in at least one process step, an amylase of the invention is catalytically active, in particular such that the amylase in an amount of 40μg to 4g, preferably from 50μg to 3g, more preferably from 100μg to 2g and most preferably from 200μg to 1g is used.

In various embodiments, the method described above is characterized in that the amylase is used at a temperature of 0-100 ° C, preferably 0-60 ° C, more preferably 20-45 ° C and most preferably at 40 ° C.

These include both manual and mechanical processes, with mechanical processes being preferred. Methods for cleaning textiles are generally distinguished by the fact that various cleaning-active substances are applied to the items to be cleaned and washed off after the contact time, or that the items to be cleaned are otherwise treated with a detergent or a solution or dilution of this product. The same applies to processes for cleaning all other materials than textiles, especially hard surfaces. All conceivable washing or cleaning processes can be enriched in at least one of the process steps by the use of a washing or cleaning agent or an amylase according to the invention and then represent embodiments of the present invention. All facts, objects and embodiments which are essential for amylases according to the invention and those containing them Means are described are also applicable to this subject invention. Therefore, reference is made at this point expressly to the disclosure in the appropriate place with the statement that this disclosure also applies to the above inventive method.

Since amylases according to the invention naturally already have a hydrolytic activity and also unfold them in media which otherwise have no cleaning power, as for example in bare buffer, a single and / or the sole step of such a method can consist in the fact that, if desired, the only cleaning-active component is an inventive Amylase is brought into contact with the soiling, preferably in a buffer solution or in water. This represents a further embodiment of this subject of the invention.

Alternative embodiments of this subject matter of the invention are also processes for the treatment of textile raw materials or for textile care, in which an amylase according to the invention becomes active in at least one process step. Among these, methods for textile raw materials, fibers or textiles with natural components are preferred, and especially for those with wool or silk.

In a further aspect, the present invention relates to the use of an amylase according to the invention or an amylase obtainable by a process according to the invention in a washing or cleaning agent for removing starch-containing stains.

All facts, objects and embodiments, also described for amylase and agents of the invention are also applicable to the described methods and uses. Therefore, reference is made at this point expressly to the disclosure in the appropriate place with the statement that this disclosure also applies to the above uses and methods according to the invention.

In a further aspect, the present invention relates to the use of an amylase according to the invention or an amylase obtainable by a process according to the invention or an amylase as used in the agents of the invention in a washing or cleaning agent for removing starch-containing stains. All aspects, objects and embodiments described for amylase and agents containing it are also applicable to this subject of the invention.

Examples

Example 1: Identification of the amylase

It was screened in Basidiomycetes for starch degrading enzymes. In this case, a wild-type enzyme, annotated as an amylase from Pycnoporus sanguineus (Psan) was discovered. This amylase showed good washing performance on various starchy textiles.

The sequence found differs significantly from the sequences of amylases previously used in detergents and cleaners. This opens up many possibilities for increasing the genetic and biochemical diversity in the field of amylases used in cleaning agents.

Example 2: Screening for Amylase with Washing Performance:

Cultivation and concentration

The fungus was cultured in a solid SNL medium. In order for the fungus to reproduce, mycule-infected medium cubes of about 1 cm ² surface were excised and placed in a new medium. After fungal growth was detected in the SNL medium, a medium cube infected with mycelium was switched to a modified SNL medium with 1% (w / v) potato starch as the sole carbon source. When the fungus grew sufficiently in the modified medium, the culturing strategy was switched to enzyme screening. For this, 125 ml of liquid, starch-modified SNL medium was poured into sterilized, 300 ml Erlenmeyer flasks without lid. The mycelium cube has served as an inoculum. The liquid cultures were stirred continuously at 24 ° C and 150 rpm for 5 days.

To increase the enzyme concentration, the filtered (0.25 μm) culture supernatant was concentrated using Centricons® Plus-70, Cut-Off 10 kD (Merck Milipore, Darmstadt) membranes.

Ion Exchange Chromatography and Activity Assay (IEX)

The separation of the concentrated culture was carried out by ion exchange chromatography. Due to the generally acidic plc of the glycoside hydrolases, a weak anion exchange column (1 ml DEAE) was used for cleaning performance (GE Healthcare, Chalfont St Gilles, GBR). The fractions were analyzed for amylase performance.

To identify the amylase-active fractions, 100 μl of a 1% (w / v) aqueous solution of analytical starch (according to Zulkowsky) was introduced into the reaction compartment of a 96-well plate. In a second step, 50 μl FPLC fraction was added and incubated for 45 min at 37 ° C. Subsequently, the reaction was stopped by adding 100 μl of DNSA solution and the 96-well plate was warmed to 80 ° C for 30 minutes. Finally, the colorimetric measurement was performed with a photometer at 450 nm. The results were compared with a calibration curve of D-maltose. Active fractions were pooled and tested for the wash test (Example 4).

Example 3: Activity assay for amylase

For the determination of the amylolytic activity of amylases of the invention, a modified para-nitrophenyl maltoheptaoside was used whose terminal glucose unit was blocked by a benzylidene group. From this molecule is released by the amylase para-nitrophenyl oligosaccharide, which in turn is converted by the enzymes glucoamylase and alpha-glucosidase to glucose and para-nitrophenol. Thus, the amount of released para-nitrophenol is proportional to the activity of the amylase. The measurement is carried out, for example, using the Quick-Start® test kit from Abbott (Abbott Park, Illinois, USA). The increase in absorbance (405 nm) in the test mixture was determined at 37 ° C. for 3 minutes compared with a photometric control value (blank value). The calibration was carried out on an enzyme standard with known activity. The evaluation was carried out by determining the absorption difference dE (405 nm) per min against the enzyme concentration of the standard.

Example 4: Washing test and results

A wash test was performed on the purified wild-type supernatant from Pycnoporus sanguineus containing the described amylase.
Conditions: 40 ° C, 16 ° dH water, 1 h;
Enzyme concentration: 0.18 TAU / ml (determination of amylase activity with benzylidene-blocked para-nitrophenol-maltoheptaoside); this corresponds to the amount of amylase usually used in detergents.

stains:

1. 1. C-S-27 potato starch from CFT (Center of Test Materials, Vlaardingen, The Netherlands)
2. 2. 10R starch / carbon black from Wfk (Wfk-Testgewebe GmbH, Brüggen)
   • - Prepare tissue (diameter = 10 mm) in microtiter plate, preheat the wash liquor to 40 ° C, final concentration 4.7 g / L;
   • - Add lye and enzyme to the stain, incubate for 1 h at 40 ° C and 600 rpm;
   • - Then rinse the soiling several times with clean water, leave to dry and determine the brightness with a colorimeter.

The lighter the tissue, the better the cleaning performance. Measured here is the L value = brightness, the higher the brighter.

It is washed with a common liquid detergent without enzymes (see Table 2). Sample 1: only detergent as benchmark (comparison reference)

Sample 2: Detergent plus Pycnoporus sanguineus amylase (according to SEQ ID NO: 1) The results are shown in Table 1. Table 1: Results of the washing tests soiling Sample 1 Sample 2 potato starch 75.3 78.1 Starch / carbon black 64.9 67.8

It is clear that the amylase on both stains shows improved performance of the detergent. As a negative control, the boiled, purified supernatant from Pycnoporus sanguineus was washed (99 ° C for 30 min), which shows no washing performance (not shown). Table 2: Detergent matrix used Chemical name Wt .-% active substance in the raw material Wt .-% active ingredient in the formulation Water demin. 100 rest alkyl benzene sulfonic acid 96 4.40 Other anionic surfactants 70 5.60 C12-C18 fatty acids Na salt 30 2.40 Nonionic surfactants 100 4.40 phosphonates 40 0.20 citric acid 100 1.40 NaOH 50 0.95 defoamers tq 0.01 glycerin 100 2.00 preservative 100 0.08 ethanol 93 1.00

The matrix used contained no optical brighteners, perfumes, dyes or enzymes. Dosage: 4.58 g / L

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• US 8512986 [0003]
• US 7407677 B2 [0004]
• US 8852912 B2 [0004]
• WO 2009/121725 [0073]

Cited non-patent literature

• see. For example, Altschul, S.F., Gish, W., Miller, W., Myers, E.W. & Lipman, D.J. (1990) "Basic local alignment search tool." [0017]
• Biol. 215: 403-410, and Altschul, Stephan F., Thomas L. Madden, Alejandro A. Schaffer, Jinghui Zhang, Hheng Zhang, Webb Miller, and David J. Lipman (1997): "Gapped BLAST and PSI-BLAST: a new generation of protein database search programs "; Nucleic Acids Res., 25, p.3389-3402 [0017]
• see. for example, Chenna et al. (2003): Multiple sequence alignment with the Clustal series of programs. Nucleic Acid Research 31, 3497-3500), T-Coffee [0017]
• see. For example, Notredame et al. (2000): T-Coffee: A novel method for multiple sequence alignments. Biol. 302, 205-217 [0017]
• Gornall, C.S. Bardawill and M.M. David, J. Biol. Chem., 177 (1948), pp. 751-766 [0026]
• see. Bender, M., et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 88, 24 (1966), pp. 5890-5913 [0026]

Claims (10)

An amylase comprising an amino acid sequence which has at least 95% sequence identity with the amino acid sequence given in SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 2 over its entire length, or variants thereof, wherein these variants are characterized in that (a) the variants from the Amylase which has at least 95% sequence identity with the amino acid sequence given in SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 2 over its entire length, can be obtained as a starting molecule by mono- or multiple conservative amino acid substitution; and / or (b) the variants of the amylase which have at least 95% sequence identity with the amino acid sequence given in SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 2 over their entire length are obtainable as starting molecule by fragmentation, deletion, insertion or substitution mutagenesis and an amino acid sequence that matches the starting molecule over a length of at least 487, 490, 495, 500, 503, 504, 505, 506, 507, 508, 509, 510, 511, 512 or 513 contiguous amino acids. A method for producing an amylase according to Claim 1 comprising providing a parent amylase having at least 95% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 2 over its entire length. Method according to Claim 2 further comprising one or both of the following method steps: (a) introducing a single or multiple conservative amino acid substitution into the parent amylase; (b) altering the amino acid sequence of the parent amylase by fragmentation, deletion, insertion or substitution mutagenesis such that the altered amylase comprises an amino acid sequence of at least at least 487, 490, 495, 500, 503, 504, 505 , 506, 507, 508, 509, 510, 511, 512 or 513 contiguous amino acids matches the parent amylase. Nucleic acid coding for an amylase after Claim 1 or encoding a by a method of Claims 2 or 3 obtained amylase. Vector containing a nucleic acid according to Claim 4 , in particular a cloning vector or an expression vector. Non-human host cell that replaces a nucleic acid Claim 4 or a vector after Claim 5 contains, or the an amylase after Claim 1 includes, or the one according to a method of Claims 2 or 3 containing amylase, especially one which secretes the amylase into the medium surrounding the host cell. A process for producing an amylase comprising a) cultivating a host cell according to Claim 6 ; and b) isolating the amylase from the culture medium or from the host cell. Means, in particular a washing or cleaning agent, characterized in that it comprises at least one amylase comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 80% sequence identity with the amino acid sequence given in SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 2 over their entire length, or variants thereof, wherein these variants are characterized in that (a) the variants of the amylase having at least 80% sequence identity with the amino acid sequence given in SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 2 over their entire length can be obtained as the starting molecule single or multiple conservative amino acid substitution; and / or (b) the variants of the amylase which have at least 80% sequence identity with the amino acid sequence given in SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 2 over their entire length are obtainable as starting molecule by fragmentation, deletion, insertion or substitution mutagenesis and an amino acid sequence that matches the starting molecule over a length of at least 487, 490, 495, 500, 503, 504, 505, 506, 507, 508, 509, 510, 511, 512 or 513 contiguous amino acids; in particular, the amylase is contained in the composition in an amount of up to 1% by weight, based on active protein. Process for the cleaning of textiles or hard surfaces, characterized in that in at least one process step, an agent Claim 8 is applied, or that in at least one process step, an amylase after Claim 1 or one after a procedure of Claims 2 or 3 obtained amylase is catalytically active. Use of an amylase comprising an amino acid sequence which has at least 80% sequence identity with the amino acid sequence given in SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 2 over its entire length, or variants thereof, wherein these variants are characterized in that (a) the variants from the amylase which has at least 80% sequence identity with the amino acid sequence given in SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 2 over its entire length, can be obtained as starting molecule by mono- or multiple conservative amino acid substitution; and / or (b) the variants of the amylase which have at least 80% sequence identity with the amino acid sequence given in SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 2 over their entire length are obtainable as starting molecule by fragmentation, deletion, insertion or substitution mutagenesis and an amino acid sequence that matches the starting molecule over a length of at least 487, 490, 495, 500, 503, 504, 505, 506, 507, 508, 509, 510, 511, 512 or 513 contiguous amino acids; in a washing or cleaning agent to remove starchy stains.