MXPA00004920A

MXPA00004920A - Protease variants and compositions

Info

Publication number: MXPA00004920A
Application number: MXPA/A/2000/004920A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Peter Kamp Hansen; Peter Bauditz; Frank Mikkelsen
Original assignee: Novo Nordisk A/S
Priority date: 1997-11-21
Filing date: 2000-05-19
Publication date: 2002-02-26

Abstract

A protease subtilase enzyme, characterized by an insertion in at least one active site loop. The enzymes exhibit improved wash performance in a detergent in comparison to its parent enzyme if it is a subtilase variant.

Description

VARIANTS AND COMPOSITIONS OF PROTEASE FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to new mutant protease enzymes or enzyme variants, comprising insertions in one or more active site circuits, useful in the formulation of detergent compositions and exhibiting improved wash performance in detergents; cleaning and detergent compositions containing said enzymes; coding of mutated genes for the expression of enzymes when inserted into an appropriate host organism or cell; and such host cells transformed with them and capable of expressing the enzyme variants.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the detergent industry, enzymes have been implemented in formulations for washing for more than 30 years. The enzymes used in such formulations comprise proteases, lipases, REF .: 119787 amylases, cellulases, as well as other enzymes, or mixtures thereof. The most important commercial enzymes are proteases. An increased number of commercially used proteases are delineated variants of wild type protease proteins that are naturally present, for example, DURAZYM (Novo Nordisk A / S), RELASER (Novo Nordisk: A7S), MAXAPEMR (Gist-Brocades NV ), PURAFECTR (Genencor International, Inc.). In addition, a number of protease variants are described in the art, such as in EP 130756 (GENENTECH) (corresponding to the Patent North American Reissue No. 34,606 (GENENCOR)); EP 214435 (HENKEL); WO 87/04461 (AMGEN); WO 87/05050 (GENEX); EP 260105 (GENENCOR); Thomas, Russell, and Fersht (1985) Nature 318 375-376; Thomas, Russell, and Fersht (1987) J. Mol. Biol. 193 803-813; Russel and Fersht Nature 328 496-500 (1987); WO 88/08028 (Genex); WO 88/08033 (Amgen); WO 95/27049 (SOLVAY S.A.); WO 95/30011 (PROCTER &GAMBLE COMPANY); WO 95/30010 (PROCTER &GAMBLE COMPANY); WO 95/29979 (PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY); US 5,543,302 (SOLVAY S.A.); EP 251 446 (GENENCOR); WO 89/06279 (NOVO NORDISK A / S); WO 91/00345 (NOVO NORDISK A / S); EP 525 610 Al (SOLVAY); and WO 94/02618 (GIST-BROCADES N.V.). However, even though a number of useful protease variants have been described, there is still a need for new, improved proteases or protease variants for a number of industrial uses.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide improved proteases or protease variants delineated from proteins, especially for use in the detergent industry.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present inventors have identified that it is possible to construct variants of BLSAVI (S vinase®), which have improved washing performance in detergent, when compared to the wild-type or pure, primary ELSAVI by the introduction of at least one insertion in the minus one of the waves or active site links in the BLSAVI. It is predicted that it will be possible to make similar variants in other subtilases, which are similar to BLSAVI. It is further predicted that it is possible to isolate from nature and identify pure type subtilases or mothers that are naturally present, which have improved washing performance in a detergent, as compared to BLSAVI, specifically by selection for such subtilases from pure type mothers comprising at least one active site circuit, which is larger than the corresponding active site circuit in BLSAVI. Accordingly, in a first aspect the invention relates to an isolated subtylase enzyme, which has improved washing performance in a detergent, which is compared to BLSAVI, which has an amino acid sequence which is at least 40% identical to the amino acid sequence of mature BLSAVI, and characterized in that at least one of the active site circuits, in the isolated subtyla, is larger than the corresponding active site circuit in BLSAVI, whereby such active site circuit regions , in the isolated subtyla, have the minimum amino acid length as specified from the later group comprising: (a) the region (both of the terminal amino acids included) between amino acid residues from 33 to 43 is at least 11 amino acids long (ie, at least one amino acid insertion, which is compared to BLSAVI); (b) the region (both of the terminal amino acids included) between amino acid residues from 95 to 103 is at least 9 amino acids long (ie, at least one amino acid insertion, which is compared to BLSAVI); (c) the region (both of the terminal amino acids included) between amino acid residues of 125 to 132 is at least 8 amino acids long (ie, at least one amino acid insertion, which is compared to BLSAVI); (d) the region (both of the terminal amino acids included) between amino acid residues 153 to 173 is at least 21 amino acids long (ie, at least one amino acid insertion, which is compared to BLSAVI); (e) the region (both of the terminal amino acids included) between amino acid residues from 181 to 195 is at least 15 amino acids long (ie, at least one amino acid insertion, which is compared to BLSAVI); (f) the region (both of the included terminal amino acids) between amino acid residues from 202 to 204 is at least 3 amino acids long (ie, at least one amino acid insertion, which is compared to BLSAVI); and (g) the region (both of the terminal amino acids included) between amino acid residues from 218 to 219 is at least 3 amino acids long (ie, at least one amino acid insertion, which is compared to BLSAVI); In a second aspect, the invention relates to an isolated DNA sequence encoding a subtyla variant of the invention. In a third aspect, the invention refers to an expression vector comprising an isolated DNA sequence encoding a subtyla variant of the invention. In a fourth aspect, the invention relates to a microbial host cell transformed with an expression vector according to the fourth aspect. In a further aspect, the invention relates to the production of the subtilisin enzymes of the invention by the insertion of an expression vector according to the fourth aspect, into a suitable microbial host, by culturing the host to express the subtylase enzyme. desired, and recover the enzyme product. In addition, the invention relates to a composition comprising a subtyla variant of the invention. Additionally, the invention relates to the use of the mutant enzymes for a number of industrial relevant uses, in particular for use in cleaning compositions and cleaning compositions comprising the mutant enzymes, especially detergent compositions comprising the enzymes of subtilisin mutants.

DEFINITIONS Prior to discussing this invention in further detail, the following terms will be defined first.

NOMENCLATURE OF AMINO ACIDS A = Ala = Alanine V = Val = Valine L = Leu = Leucine I = lie = Isoleucine P = Pro = Proline F = Phe = Phenylalanine W = Trp = Tryptophan M = Met = Methionine G = Gly = Glycine S = Ser = Serine T = Thr = Threonine C = Cys = Cysteine Y = Tyr = Tyrosine N = Asn = Asparagine Q = Gln = Glutamine D = Asp = Aspartic Acid E = Glu = Glutamic Acid K Lys Lysine R Arg Arginine H His Histidine X Xaa Any Amino Acid NOMENCLATURE OF NUCLEIC ACIDS A = Adenine G = Guanine C = Cytosine T = Thymine (only in DNA) U = Uracil (only in RNA) NOMENCLATURE OF VARIANTS In describing the various enzyme variants produced or contemplated according to the invention, the following nomenclatures have been adapted for ease of reference: Amino acid (s) substituted at the amino acid position (s) (s) ) original (en) In the case when the original amino acid residue can be any amino acid residue, a shorthand notation can sometimes be used indicating only the position and the substituted amino acid. Substituted amino acid in the position A notation is particularly relevant in relation to the modification (s) in homologous subtilases (vide infra). Similarly when the identity of the residue (s) of substituent amino acids is immaterial. Original amino acid position. When both the original amino acid (s) and the substituted amino acid (s) can comprise any amino acid, then only the position (s) is indicated, for example: 170. When the original amino acid (s) and / or substituted amino acid (s) can (n) comprise more than one, but not all (s) the amino acid (s), then the Selected amino acids are indicated within square brackets. { } . Position of the original amino acid. { substituted amino acid, ..., substituted amino acid} For specific variants, specific three-letter or one-letter codes are used, including the Xas and X codes to indicate any amino acid residue.

SUBSTITUTIONS: The replacement of glutamic acid by glycine at position 195 is designated as: Glyl95Glu or G195E or the substitution of any amino acid residue for glycine at position 195 is designated as: Glul95Xaa or G195X Glul95 or G195 The substitution of serine for any amino acid residue at position 170 could be designated. Xaal70Ser or X170S. or 170Ser or 170S A notation is particularly relevant in the connection with the modification (s) in homologous subtilasas (vide infra). 170Ser is understood to include, for example, both a modification of Lysl70Ser in BASBPN and the modification of Argl70Ser in BLSAVI. See Figure 1 in relation to these examples. For a modification wherein the original amino acid (s) and / or substituted amino acid (s) may comprise more than one, but not all (s) the amino acid (s), the Substitution of glycine, alanine, serine or threonine by arginine at position 170 could be indicated by Argl70. { Gly, Ala, Ser, Thr} or R170. { G, A, S, T} to indicate the variants R170G, R170A, R170S, and R170T.

SUPPRESSIONS: A deletion of glycine at position 195 will be indicated by: Glyl95 * or G195 * Correspondingly the deletion of more than one amino acid residue, such as deletion of glycine and leucine at positions 195 and 196 will be designated. Glyl95 * + Leul96 * or G195 * + L196 * INSERTIONS: The insertion of an additional amino acid residue such as, for example, a lysine after G195 is: Glyl95GlyLys or G195GK; or when more than one amino acid residue is inserted, such as, for example, a Lys, Ala and Ser after G195 this is: Glyl95GlyLysAlaser or G195GKAS In such cases the inserted amino acid residue (s) is (are) numbered by the addition of lowercase letters for the position number of the amino acid residue that precedes the residue (s) of amino acid (s) inserted (s). Therefore in the previous example the sequence 194 to 196 could be: 194 195 196 BLSAVI A - G - L 194 195 195a 195b 195c 196 Variant A - G - K - A - S - L In cases where an amino acid residue identical to the existing amino acid residue is inserted, it is clear that a class of degeneracy in the nomenclature results. If for example a glycine is inserted after the glycine in the previous example, this could be indicated by G195GG. The same current change could be indicated only as A194AG for the change from 194 195 196 BLSAVI A - G - L for 194 195 195a 196 Alternative A - G - G - L 194 194a 195 196 Such cases will be apparent to the skilled person, and the indication G195GG and the corresponding indications for this type of insertion are understood to include such equivalent degenerate indications.

FILLING OF AN OPENING: Where a deletion in an enzyme exists in comparison to the subtilisin sequence used for numbering, an insertion in a position is indicated as: 36Asp 36D for the insertion of an aspartic acid in position 36 MULTIPLE MODIFICATIONS Variants comprising multiple modifications are separated by further signs, for example: Argl70Tyr + Glyl95Glu or R170Y + G195E which represent modifications at positions 170 and 195 which substitute tyrosine and glutamic acid for arginine and glycine, respectively, or for example Tyrl67. { Gly, Ala, Ser, Thr} + Argl70. { Gly, Ala, Ser, Thr} designates the variants Tyrl67Gly + Argl70Gly, Tyrl67Gly + Argl70Ala, Tyrl67Gly + Argl70Ser, Tyrl67Gly + Argl70Thr, Tyrl67Ala + Argl70Gly, Tyrl67Ala + Argl70Ala, Tyrl67Ala + Argl70Ser, Tyrl67Ala + Argl70Thr, Tyrl67Ser + Argl70Gly, Tyrl67Ser + Argl70Ala, Tyrl67Ser + Argl70Ser, Tyrl67Ser + Argl70Thr, Tyrl67Thr + Argl70Gly, Tyrl67Thr + Argl70Ala, Tyrl67Thr + Argl70Ser, and Tyrl67Thr + Argl70Thr, This nomenclature is particularly relevant in relation to claimed modifications in substitution, replacement, insertion or deletion or deletion amino acid residues that have specific common properties, such as positively charged residues (K, R, H) , negative charge (D, E), or modification (s) of preservative amino acids of for example, Tyr167. { Gly, Ala, Ser, Thr} + Argl70. { Gly, Ala, Ser, Thr} , which means replacing a small or minor amino acid with another minor amino acid. See the section "Detailed description of the invention" for additional details.

PROTEASES Enzymes that cleave amide bonds on protein substrates are classified as proteases, or (interchangeably) peptidases (see Walsh, 1979, Enzymatic Reaction Mechanisms. W.H. Freeman and Company, San Francisco, Chapter 3).

NUMBERING AMINO ACID / WASTE POSITIONS Unless stated otherwise, the amino acid numbering used here corresponds to that of the subtyle BPN 'sequence (BASBPN). For further description of the BPN sequence 'see Siezen et al., Protein Engng. 4 (1991) 719-737 and Figure 1.

PROTEASAS DE SERINA A serine protease is an enzyme which catalyzes the hydrolysis of peptide bonds, and in which there is an essential serine residue in the active site (White, Handler and Smith, 1973"Principles of Biochemistry," Fifth Edition, McGra - Hill Book Company, NY, pp. 271-272).

Bacterial serine proteases have molecular weights in the range of 20,000 to 45,000 Daltons. They are inhibited by diisopropylfluorophosphate. They hydrolyse simple terminal esters and are similar in activity to eukaryotic chymotrypsin also a serine protease. A smaller term, alkaline protease, which covers a subgroup, reflects the high optimum pH of some of the serine proteases, from pH 9.0 to 11.0 (for analysis, see Priest (1977) Bacteriological! Rev. 41 711-753 ).

SUBTILASAS A subgroup of subtilases tentatively designated serine proteases have been proposed by Siezen et al., Protein Engng. 4 (1991) 719-737. They are defined by homology analysis of more than 40 amino acid sequences of serine proteases previously referred to as subtilisin-like proteases. A subtilisin was previously defined as a serine protease produced by positive Gram or fungi bacteria, and according to Siezen et al. now it is a subgroup of subtilasas. A wide variety of subtilases have been identified, and the amino acid sequence of a number of subtilases has been determined. For a more detailed description of such subtilases and their referenced amino acid sequences are made by Siezen et al. , and Figure 1 here. A subgroup of the subtilases, I-SI, comprises the "classical" subtilisins, such as subtilisin 168, subtilisin BPN ', subtilisin Carlsberg (ALCALASE0, NOVO NORDISK A / S), and subtilisin DY. An additional subgroup of subtilases I-S2 is recognized by Siezen et al. (supra). The proteases of subgroup I-S2 are described as highly alkaline subtilisins and comprise enzymes such as subtilisin PB92 (MAXACALR, Gist-Brocades NV), subtilisin 309 (SAVINASER, NOVO NORDISK A / S), subtilisin 147 (ESPERASER, NOVO NORDISK A / S), and alkaline elastase YaB.

"SAVINASE®" SAVINASE® is distributed by NOVO NORDISK A / S. It is subtilisin 309 of B. Slow and differs from BABP92 only in one position (N87S, see figure 1 here), SAVINASE® has the amino acid sequence designated BLSAVI (see Figure 1 here).

SUBTILASA MATRIZ The term "subtyla matrix" is a subtyla defined in accordance with Siezen et al.

(Protein Engineering 4: 719-737 (1991)). For additional details see the description of "SUBTILASAS" immediately before. A subtilasa matrix or principal may also be an subtyla isolated from a natural source, where a subsequent modification has been made while retaining the characteristic of a subtilasa. Alternatively, the term "matrix or principal subtyla" can be called "wild-type or pure subtylase".

MODIFICATION (S) OF A SUBTILASE VARIANT The term "modification (s)" used as connection with modification (s) of a subtyla variant as described herein is defined to include chemical modification as well as genetic manipulation. The modification (s) can be by substitution, deletion and / or insertions in or in the amino acid (s) of interest.

SUBTYASE VARIANT In the context of this invention, the term mutated subtylase or subtylase means a subtylase that has been produced by an organism which is expressed by a mutant gene derivative from a parent or main microorganism which possesses an original or parent gene and which produces a Main enzyme or corresponding stem, the parent or main gene that has been mutated to produce the mutant gene from the mutated subtylase protease is produced when expressed in a suitable host.

HOMOLOGAS SUBTILASE SEQUENCES The active, specific site loop regions and amino acid insertions in circuits or loops of the SAVINASE® subtyla are identified for modification herein to obtain a subtyla variant of the invention. However, the invention is not limited to modifications of this particular subtilase, but extends to other major subtilases or matrices (wild type), which have a primary structure homologous to that of SAVINASE®. To identify other homologous subtilases, within the scope of this invention, an alignment of the subtylase (s) to a group of previously aligned subtilases is carried out maintaining the previous alignment constant. A comparison is made for 18 highly conserved residues in subtilases. The 18 highly conserved residues are shown in Table I (see Siezen et al. For additional details that relate to conserved residues).

Table I 18 residues highly conserved in subtilases Position: Residue Conserved 23 G 32 D 34 G 39 H 64 H 65 G 66 T 70 G 83 G 125 S 127 G 146 G 154 G 155 N 219 G 220 T 221 s 225 P After the alignment allows necessary insertions and deletions to maintain alignment, the appropriate homologous active site loop or loop regions are identified. The homologous residues can then be modified according to the invention. Using the computer alignment program CLUSTALW (version 1.7, June 1997) (Thompson, JD, Higgins, DG and Gibson, TJ (1994) Nucleic Acids Research, 22: 4673-4680.), Which uses misalignment parameters, Alignment of a subtyla given to a group of previously aligned subtilases is achieved by using the option of aligning the Profile in the program. For a given subtyla to be within the scope of the invention, preferably 100% of the 18 highly conserved residues should be conserved. However, alignment of more than or equal to 17 out of 18 residues, or as small as 16 of conserved residues is also adequate to identify homologous residues. The preservation of the catalytic assay, in subtilases, Asp32 / His 64 / Ser221 should be maintained. An alignment of 10 subtilases is defined as shown in Figure 1. Further in the process for identifying a major subtylase or homologous matrix (wild type) within the scope of the invention, the 1-8 residues conserved referred to above as the primary sequence (wild type) matrix of the subtilase homologous matrix. In other words, if a major subtylase or matrix has been modified in any of the 18 conserved residues above, it is the original major wild type sequence in 18 conserved residues, which determine whether or not both the original major subtyla and a possible variant of the major subtyla, which is modified in any of the 18 conserved residues above, is a homologous subtylase within the scope of the present invention. Based on this description, it is routine for a person skilled in the art to identify suitable homologous subtilases and circuit or loop regions of the corresponding homologous active site, which can be modified according to the invention.

WASH OPERATION The ability of an enzyme to catalyze the degradation of several substrates that are naturally present in the objects to be cleaned during, for example, washing, is often referred to as its washing ability, bleaching ability, detergent effect, or performance in the wash. Throughout this application, the term wash operation will be used to include this property.

SEQUENCE OF ISOLATED DNA The term "isolated", when applied to a DNA sequence molecule, denotes that the DNA sequence has been removed from its natural genetics and is thus free of other unwanted or foreign coding sequences., and is in a form suitable for use within production systems of genetically treated proteins. Such isolated molecules are those that are separated from their natural environment and include cDNA and genomic clones. The isolated DNA molecules of the present invention are free of other genes with which they are ordinarily associated, but also include 5 'and 3' untranslated or translated regions that are naturally present such as promoters and terminators. The identification of associated regions will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art (see, for example, - Dynan and Tijam, Nature 316: 774-79, 1985). The term "an isolated DNA sequence" can be alternatively called "a cloned DNA sequence".

ISOLATED PROTEIN When applied to a protein, the term "isolated" indicates that the protein is in a condition different from its native environment. In a preferred form, the isolated protein is substantially free of other proteins, particularly other homologous proteins (ie, "homologous impurities" (see below). An isolated protein is more than 10% pure, preferably more than 20% pure, in more preferably more than 30% pure, as determined by SDS-PAGE, Furthermore, it is preferred to provide the protein in a highly purified form, ie more than 40% pure, more than 60% pure, more than 80% pure, more preferably more than 95% pure, and even more preferred more than 99% pure, as determined by SDS-PAGE The term "associated protein" may alternatively be called "purified protein".

HOMOLOGAS IMPURITY The term "homologous impurities" means any impurity (eg, another polypeptide than the polypeptide of the invention) that originates from the homologous cells wherein the polypeptide of the invention is originally obtained.

OBTAINED FROM The term "obtained from" as used herein in connection with a specific microbial source means that the polynucleotide and / or polypeptide produced by the specific source, or by a cell in which a gene from the source has been inserted.

SUBSTRATE The term "substrate" used in connection with a substrate for a protease should be interpreted in its broadest form as comprising a compound that contains at least one peptide bond susceptible to hydrolysis by a protease.

PRODUCT The term "product" used in connection with a product derived from an enzymatic protease reaction should be interpreted in the context of this invention to include the products of a hydrolysis reaction involving a subtylase protease. A product can be the substrate in a subsequent hydrolysis reaction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 shows an alignment of 10 homologous subtilases, which are aligned to the 18 residues highly conserved in subtilases, previously mentioned. The 18 highly conserved residues are highlighted in the link. All subtilases shown, except JP170, have 100% identity in the conserved residues. JP.170 have an asparagine "N" at position 146 in place of the conserved glycine residue "G".

Figure 2: Shows an alignment of three variants of Savinasa of the invention with the alignment shown in Figure 1. Each of the variants 37.03, 37.04 and 37.06 are individually aligned with the alignment of Figure 1. The three variants are shown in a figure for brevity.

Figure 3: Shows the third dimension structure of Savinasa (Protein data bank entry (PDB) 1SVN). In this figure the circuits of the active site of interest are indicated here.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION SUBSTITUTE ENZYMES WITH IMPROVED WASHING PERFORMANCE The subtilases of the invention are generally described in the preceding section "BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION".

A subtylase of the first aspect of the invention may be a major wild type subtyla identified in nature. Such a major wild type subtylase can be specifically selected by standard techniques known in the art. A preferred way of accomplishing this may be by regions of amplified DNA specifically of known PCRs to encode active site circuits in subtilases of numerous different microorganisms, preferably different Bacillus strains. Subtilases are a group of conserved enzymes, in the sense that their DNA and amino acid sequences are homologous. Accordingly, it is possible to construct active site circuits flanking relatively specific primers. For example, investigating the alignment of different subtilases (see for example, Siezen et al., Protein Science 6: 501-523 (1997)), it is routine work for a person skilled in the art to construct PCR primers flanking, for example, the active site circuit corresponding to the site circuit. active between amino acid residue 95 to 103 in BLSAVI. Using those PCR primers to amplify DNA from a number of different microorganisms, preferably different Bacillus strains, followed by the DNA sequencing the amplified PCR fragments, it will be possible to identify those strains that produce subtilases, which comprise a region of active site, larger, which is compared to BLSAVI, which corresponds to the active site region of 95-103 in BLSAVI. Having to identify the strain and a partial DNA sequence of such subtylae of interest, it is routine work for a person skilled in the art to complete the cloning, expression and purification of a subtyla of interest. However, it is contemplated that a subtylase enzyme of the invention is predominantly a variant of a major subtylase or matrix. Accordingly, one embodiment of the invention relates to a subtylase enzyme isolated in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, wherein the subtylase enzyme is a constructed variant, wherein the variant comprises at least one insertion of at least one amino acid within at least one of the circuits of the active site according to the first aspect of the invention.

A subtylase enzyme of the invention exhibits washing performance, which is compared to BLSAVI (Savinase®), in a detergent. The different commercial subtylase protease products will exhibit a different wash performance in different kinds of detergent compositions. A subtyla of the invention exhibits improved wash performance, which is compared to BLSAVI, in a majority of different classes of detergent compositions. Preferably, a subtylase enzyme of the invention exhibits improved wash performance, which is compared to BLSAVI, in the detergent composition shown in the work of example 3 herein (vide infra). To identify whether or not a given subtylase amino acid sequence (regardless of whether the subtylase sequence is a wildtype subtylase sequence isolated from nature or a variant sequence of subtiysa) a subtylase sequence of the invention is within range. , the following steps can be carried out: i) identify if the subtilase sequence is at least 40%, 50%, 55%, - 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, or even 95% identical to the amino acid sequence from position 1 to position 275 of BLSAVI subtylase (in the BASBPN numbering); ii) if step i) is complete, perform an alignment of the subtilase sequence to the previously defined alignment of subtilases specified in Figure 1 (see section "Definitions here (vide supra) to see how this alignment should preferably be performed ) iii) based on the alignment made in step ii) identify the active site circuits, in the subtilasa sequence, the cuai corresponds to the regions of the active site circuit in N BLSAVI, where the active site circuits are specified as (in BASBPN as (in the BASBPN numbering) (a) the region (both of the terminal amino acids included) between the amino acid residue from 33 to 43; (b) the region (both of the terminal amino acids included) between the amino acid residue from 95 to 103; (c) the region (both of the terminal amino acids included) between the amino acid residue from 125 to 132; (d) the region (both of the terminal amino acids included) between the amino acid residue from 153 to 173; (e) the region (both of the terminal amino acids included) between the amino acid residue from 181 to 195; (f) the region (both of the terminal amino acids included) between the amino acid residue from 202 to 204; and (g) the region (both of the terminal amino acids included) between the amino acid residue from 218 to 219; iv) identifying whether or not one or more of the active site circuits in the subtilase sequence, identified in step iii) is larger than the corresponding active site circuit in BLSAVI.

If any of the criteria in the above steps iv) is met, the given subtylase sequence is a subtilase sequence within the scope of the present invention. The identity specified in step i) above between a subtyla of the invention and BLSAVI is calculated as described immediately thereafter.

IDENTITY OF SEQUENCES OF AMINO ACIDS OF A SUBTILASE OF THE INVENTION FOR BLSAVI.

The identity of the polypeptide referred to above is determined as the degree of identity between the two sequences indicating a derivation of the first sequence from the second. The identity can be adequately determined by means of computer programs known in the art such as GAP provided in the GCG program package (Wisconsin Packaging Program Manual, Version 8, August 1994, Genetics Computer Group, 575 Science Drive, Madison, Wisconsin, USA 53711) (Needleman, S.B. and Wunsch, C.D., (1970), Journal of Molecular Biology, 48, 443-453. Using GAP with the following settings for comparison of the polypeptide sequence: penalty or disadvantage of the creation of GAP 3.0 and penalty of the GAP extension of 0.1, the mature part of a subtyla amino acid sequence of the invention exhibits a degree of identity of at least 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85 %, 90%, or even 95% with the mature part of the amino acid sequence of BLSAVI from position 1 to position 275 (in BASBPN numbering). Therefore, the identity will be defined as the number of identical residues divided by 269 (mature part of BLSSAVI has 269 amino acids.). The alignment to be performed in step ii) above is performed as described immediately below: ALIGNMENT OF A SUBYLASE AMINO ACID INVENTION FOR A PREVIOUSLY DEFINED ALIGNMENT OF SUBTLEASE SEQUENCES HOMOLOGA (STEP II) PREVIOUS), AND IDENTIFICATION OF HOMOLOGOUS ACTIVE SITE CIRCUITS, ADEQUATE, IN THE SUBTILASE, THAT CORRESPONDS TO THE REGIONS OF THE ACTIVE SITE CIRCUIT IN BLSAVI (STEP III) PREVIOUS) To identify other subtilases -homologs, within the scope of this invention, an alignment of the subtylase (s) to a group of previously aligned subtilases is performed maintaining the previous alignment constant (step ii) above). Using the computer alignment program, CLUSTALW (version 1.7, June 1997) (Thompson, J.D., Higgins, D.G. and Gibson, T.J. (1994) Nucleic Acids Research, 22: 4673-4680.), Using alignment parameters for lack or omission, alignment of a subtyla given to a group of previously aligned subtilases is achieved using the option of alignments of the Profile in the program. The preservation of the catalytic assay should be maintained in subtilases, Asp32 / His64 / Ser221. The previously defined alignment of a group of subtilases is shown in Figure 1. After the alignment allowed for the necessary insertions and deletions to maintain the alignment of the appropriate homologous active site circuits, in the subtilas of the invention are identified as described in step iii) above. Based on this description it is routine for a person skilled in the art to identify the appropriate homologous subtilases and homologous active site circuits, suitable, homologous, corresponding, in the subtilase.

A preferred active site circuit of a subtyla of the invention as described are those circuits defined as (b) the region (both of the included terminal amino acids) between amino acid residues 95 to 103 is at least 10 amino acids long (i.e. , at least one amino acid insertion, as compared by BLSAVI); and (c) the region (both of the terminal amino acids included) between amino acid residues 125 to 132 is at least 9 amino acids long (ie, at least one amino acid insertion, as compared to BLSAVI).

A subtylase variant can be constructed by standard techniques known in the art such as by direct site / random mutagenesis or by intermixing the DNA of different subtilasse sequences. See the section "PRODUCTION OF A SUBSTITUTE VARIANT" and Material and methods here (vide infra) for additional details. In the further embodiments, the invention relates to an isolated subtylase enzyme according to the invention, wherein at least one of the inserted amino acid residues is chosen from the group comprising: T, G, A, and S; an isolated subtylase enzyme according to the invention, wherein at least one of the inserted amino acid residues is chosen from the group of charged amino acid residues comprising: D, E, H, K, and R, in more preferred D, E, K and R; an enzyme subtylase isolated according to the invention, wherein at least one of the amino acid residues inserted is chosen from the group of hydrophilic amino acid residues comprising: C, N, Q, S and T, in more * preferred N, Q, S and T; a subtylase enzyme isolated according to the invention, wherein at least one of the inserted amino acid residues is chosen from the group of small hydrophobic amino acid residues comprising: A, G and V; or an isolated subtylase enzyme according to the invention, wherein at least one of the inserted amino acid residues is chosen from the group of large or broad hydrophilic amino acid residues comprising: F, I, L, M, P, W and Y, most preferably F, I, L, M, and Y. In a further embodiment, the invention relates to an isolated subtylase enzyme according to the invention, wherein the insertion, in at least one of the circuits of the active site, comprises at least two amino acids, as compared to the circuit of the corresponding active site in BLSAVI. In a further embodiment, the invention relates to an isolated subtylase enzyme according to the invention, wherein the subtylase enzyme comprising at least one insertion is selected from the group comprising (in BASBPN numbering): G97GASG; G97GAA; and G97GAS; and a subtylase enzyme isolated according to the invention, wherein the subtylase enzyme comprising at least one insertion / modification, is selected from the group comprising (in BASBPN numbering): 37.03: G97GASG + A98S + S99G + G100A + S101A; 37. 06: G97GAA + A98S + S99G + S101T; and 37.04: G97GAS + A98S + S99G. A residue alignment 91 to 107 of the last three variants is shown in Figure 2. It is well known in the art that substitution of an amino acid to a similar conservation amino acid only more frequently provides minor changes in the characteristic of the amino acid. enzyme Table II below lists groups of conservative amino acids.

Table II Conservative amino acid substitutions Basic: R = Arginine K = Lysine H = Histidine Acid: E = Glutamic acid D = Aspartic acid Polar: Q = Glutamine N = Asparagine Hydrophobic: L = Leucine I = Isoleucine V = Valine M = Aromatic methionine: F = phenylalanine W = tryptophan Y = tyrosine Small G = glycine A = alanine S = serine T = threonine Accordingly, subtyla variants such as G97GGG + A98S + S99G, are expected to exhibit similar wash performance improvement as the variant G97GAA + A98S + S99G. See, for example, working examples here for a specific wash operation test of the variant G97AA + A98S + S99G. Based on the description and in particular the subtilase variants exemplified herein, it is routine work, for a person skilled in the art, to identify the appropriate conservative modification (s), additional (s) , in particular, of the exemplified variants, to obtain a subtilase variant with improved washing performance, in accordance with all aspects and modalities of the invention.

In embodiments of the invention, the subtilases of interest are preferably those belonging to the subgroups I-SI and I-S2. In relation to the subgroup I-SI a preferred major subtilase is chosen from the group comprising ABSS168, BASBPN, BSSDY, and BLSCAR or functional variants thereof which have retained the characteristic of subgroup I-SI. Relating to subgroup I-S2, a preferred major subtilase is chosen from the group comprising BLS147, BLSAVI, BLS309, BAPB92, TVTHER and BYSYAS or functional variants thereof that have retained the characteristic of subgroup I-S2. In particular, the main subtylase is BLSAVI (SAVINASE® NOVO NORDISK A / S) or subtylase having an identity of 95% or more for it, and a preferred subtylase variant of the invention is, accordingly, a variant of SAVINASE® or subtilasas that have an identity of 95% or more for it. The present invention also comprises any one or more modifications at the positions mentioned above in combination with any other modification to the amino acid sequence of the main enzyme. Especially contemplated are combinations with other modifications known in the art that provide improved properties to the enzyme. The technique describes a number of subtilase variants with different improved properties and a number of those are mentioned in the "Background of the invention" section herein (vide supra). Those references are described herein as references for identifying a subtyla variant, which can advantageously be combined with a subtyla variant of the invention. Such combinations comprise. the positions: 222 (improved oxidation stability), 218 (improved thermal stability), substitutions at Ca binding sites that stabilize the enzyme, e.g., position 76, and many other patents of the prior art. In additional embodiments a subtyla variant of the invention can be advantageously combined with one or more modification (s) in any of the positions: 27, 36, 57, 76, 87, 97, 101, 104, 120, 123, 167, 170, 206, 218, 222, 224, 235 and 274. Specifically the following BLS309 and BAPB92 variants are considered appropriate for combination: K27R, * 36D, S57P, N76D, S87N, G97N, S101G, S103A, V104A, V104I, V104N, V104Y, H120D, N123S, Y167, R170, Q206E, N218S, M222S, M222A, T224S, K235L and T274A. Additional options comprising any of options S101G + V104N, S87N + S101G + V104N, K27R + V104 Y + N123S + T274A, N76D + S103A + V104I or N76D + V104A or other combinations of these mutations (V104N, S101G, K27R, V104Y, N123S, T274A, N76D, V104A), in combination with any one or more of the modification (s) mentioned above exhibit improved properties. Still additional subtilase variants of the main aspect (s) of the invention are preferably combined with one or more modification (s) in any of positions 129, 131, 133 and 194, more for this , and a preferred subtylase variant of the invention is therefore a variant of SAVINASE® or subtilases having an identity of 95% or more for it. The present invention also comprises any one or more modifications at the positions mentioned above in combination with any other modification to the amino acid sequence of the main enzyme. Especially contemplated are combinations with other modifications known in the art to provide improved properties to the enzyme. The art describes a number of subtilase variants with different improved properties and a number of those are mentioned in the "Background of the invention" section herein (vide supra). Those references are described herein as references for identifying a subtyla variant, which can advantageously be combined with a subtyla variant of the invention. Such combinations comprise the positions: 222 (improved oxidation stability), 218 (improved thermal stability), substitutions at Ca binding sites that stabilize the enzyme, e.g., position 76, and many other patents of the prior art. In additional embodiments, a subtilase variant of the invention can be advantageously combined with one or more modification (s) in any of the positions: 27, 36, 57, 76, 87, 97, 101, 104, 120, 123, 167, 170, 206, 218, 222, 224, 235 and 274. Specifically, the following variants of BLS309 and BAPB92 are considered appropriate for the combination: K27R, * 36D, S57P, N76D, S87N, G97N, S101G, S103A, V104A, V104I, V104N, V104Y, H120D, N123S, Y167, R170, Q206E, N218S, M222S, M222A, T224S, K235L and T274A. Additional options comprising any of options S101G + V104N, S87N + S101G + V104N, K27R + V104Y + N123S + T274A, N76D + S103A + V104I or N76D + V104A or other combinations of these mutations (V104N, S101G, K27R, V104Y, N123S, T274A, N76D, V104A), in combination with any one or more of the modification (s) mentioned above exhibit improved properties. Still additional subtylase variants of the main aspect (s) of the invention are preferably combined with one or more modification (s) in any of positions 129, 131, 133 and 194, preferably as modifications of 129K, 131H, 133P, 133D and 194P, and most preferably as modifications of P129K, P131H, A133P, A133D and A194P. Any of these modification (s) provide a higher level of expression of a subtyla variant of the invention. Accordingly, a still further embodiment of the invention relates to a variant according to the invention, wherein the modification is chosen from the group comprising: Y167A + R170S + A194P Y167A + R170L + A194P Y167A + R170N + A194P Y167A + R170S + P129K Y167A + R170L + P129K Y167A + R170N + P129K Y167A + R170S + P131H Y167A + R170L + P131H Y167A + R170N + P131H Y167A + R170S + A133P Y167A + R170L + A133P Y167A + R170N + A133P Y167A + R170S + A133D Y167A + R170L + A133D Y167A + R170N + A133D PRODUCTION OF A SUBTYASE VARIANT Many methods for cloning a subtyla of the invention and for introducing insertions into genes (e.g., subtylase genes) are well known in the art. In general, standard procedures for cloning genes and inserting inserts (random and / or targeted site) into the genes can be used to obtain a subtyla variant of the invention.

For further description of suitable techniques reference is made to working examples in this (vide infra) and (Sambrook et al. (1989) Molecular cloning: A laboratory manual, Cold Spring Harbor lab., Cold Spring Harbor, NY; Ausubel, F.M. et al. (eds.) "Current protocols in Molecular Biology", John Wiley and Sons, 1995; Harwood, C.R., and Cutting, S.M. (eds.) "Molecular Biological Methods for Bacillus". John Wiley and Sons, 1990); and WO 96/34946. In addition, a subtyla variant of the invention can be constructed by standard DNA intermixing techniques of different subtylase genes (WO 95/22625; Stemmer WPC, Nature 170: 389-91 (1994)). DNA intermixing of for example, SAVINASE® with one or more partial subtylase sequences identified in nature comprise larger SAVINASE® active site circuit regions, after which the subsequent selection for improved washing performance variants, provides subtyla variants according to the invention.

VECTORS OF EXPRESSION A recombinant expression vector comprising a DNA construct encoding the enzyme of the invention can be any vector which can be conveniently subjected to recombinant DNA methods, and the choice of vector will often depend on the host cell in which it is itself is introduced. Thus, the vector can be an autonomous replicating vector, ie, a vector which exists as an extrachromosomal entity, the replica of which is independent of chromosomal replication, for example, a plasmid. Alternatively, the vector can be any which, when introduced into a host cell, integrates into the host cell gene in part or in its entirety and replicates together with the chromosome (s) in which it is has integrated. The vector is preferably an expression vector in which the DNA sequence encoding the enzyme of the invention is operably linked to additional segments required for transcription of the DNA. In general, the expression vector is derived from the viral plasmid or DNA, or may contain elements of both. The term "operably linked" indicates that the segments are arranged so that their function in accordance with their intended purpose, for example, transcription is initiated in a promoter and proceeds through the DNA sequence encoding the enzyme. The promoter can be any DNA sequence that exhibits transcriptional activity in the host cell of choice and can be derived from genes encoding proteins either homologous or heterologous to the host cell. Examples of suitable promoters for use in bacterial host cells include the promoter of the maltogenic amylase gene of Bacillus s tearothermophilus, the alpha-amylase gene Bacillus licheniformis, the alpha-amylase gene 'Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, the alkaline protease gene Bacillus subtilis, or the xylosidase gene Bacillus pumilus, or the Lambda promoters of phage PR or PL or the promoters of E. coli lac, trp or tac. The DNA sequence encoding the enzyme of the invention can also be, if necessary, operably connected to a suitable terminator. The recombinant vector of the invention may further comprise a DNA sequence that allows the vector to duplicate in the host cell in question. The vector may also comprise a selectable marker, for example, a gene the product of which complements a defect in the host cell, or a gene encoding resistance to, for example, kanamycin-like antibiotics, chloramphenicol, erythromycin, tetracycline, spectinomycin. , or similar, or resistance to heavy metals or herbicides. To direct an enzyme of the present invention into the secretory pathway of host cells, a secretory signal sequence (also known as a leader sequence, pre-pro sequence or pre sequence) may be provided in the recombinant vector. The sequence of the secretory signal is attached to the DNA sequence encoding the enzyme in the correct reader framework or skeleton. The secretory signal sequences are commonly placed 5 'to the DNA sequence encoding the enzyme. The sequence of the secretory signal can normally be associated with the enzyme or it can be from a gene encoding another secreted protein. The procedures used to -long the DNA sequences that encode the present enzyme, the promoter and optionally the sequence of the terminator and / or secretory signal, respectively, or link these sequences by suitable PCR amplification schemes, and to insert them into suitable vectors containing the information necessary for replication or integration, are well known for a person skilled in the art (compare, for example, Sambrook et al., op.cit.).

HOST CELL The DNA sequence encoding the present enzyme introduced into the host cell can be either homologous or heterologous to the host in question. If it is homologous to the host cell, that is, it is produced by the host cell in nature, typically it will be operably linked to another promoter sequence or, if applicable, another sequence of secretory signal and / or terminator sequence that in its natural environment The term "homologous" is understood to include a DNA sequence encoding an enzyme native to the host organism in question. The term "heterologous" is intended to include a DNA sequence not expressed by the host cell in nature. Thus, the DNA sequence can be from another organism, or it can be a synthetic sequence. The host cell into which the DNA construct or the recombinant vector of the invention is introduced can be any cell that is capable of producing the present enzyme and include bacteria, yeast, fungi, and larger eukaryotic cells. Examples of bacterial host cells which, in cultivation, are capable of producing the enzyme of the invention, are gram-positive bacteria such as Bacillus strains, such as strains of B. subtilis, B. licheniformis, B. lentus, B. brevis, B. stearothermophilus, B. alkalophilus, B. amyloliquefaciens, B. coagulans, B. circulans, B. lautus, B. megatherium or B. thuringiensis, or strains of Streptomyces, such as S. Lividans or S. Murinus, or gram-negative bacteria such as Echerichia coli. The transformation of the bacterium can be effected by the transformation of protoplasts, electroporation, conjugation, or using competent cells in a manner known per se (compare, Sambrook et al., Supra). When the enzyme is expressed in bacteria such as E. coli, the enzyme can be retained in the cytoplasm, typically as insoluble granules (known as inclusion bodies), or it can be directed to the periplasmic space by a sequence of bacterial secretion. In the case of the former, the cells are treated with lysis and the granules are recovered and denatured after which the enzyme is doubled again, diluting the denaturing agent. In the latter case, the enzyme can be recovered from the periplasmic space by fracturing the cells, for example, by sonication or osmotic shock, to release the contents of the periplasmic space and recover the enzyme. When the expression of the enzyme in Gram-positive bacteria such as Bacillus or Streptomyces strains, the enzyme can be retained in the cytoplasm, or it can be directed to the extracellular medium by a bacterial secretion sequence. In the latter case, the enzyme can be recovered from the medium as described below.

METHOD TO PRODUCE SUBTILASA The present invention provides a method for producing an isolated enzyme according to the invention, wherein a suitable host cell, which has been transformed with a DNA sequence encoding the enzyme, is cultured under conditions that allow the production of the enzyme , and the resulting enzyme is recovered from the culture. When an expression vector comprising a DNA sequence encoding the enzyme is transformed into a heterologous host cell, it is possible to allow heterologous recombinant production of the enzyme of the invention. Therefore, it is possible to make a highly purified subtyla composition, characterized in that it is free of homologous impurities. In this context, homologous impurities mean any impurity (eg, other polypeptides than the enzyme of the invention) originating from the homologous cell wherein the enzyme of the invention is originally obtained. The medium used to cultivate the host cells can be any conventional means suitable for the growth of the host cells in question. The expressed subtylase can be conveniently secreted into the culture medium and can be recovered therefrom by well known methods including separation of the cells from the medium by centrifugation or filtration, by precipitating proteinaceous components of the medium via a salt such as ammonium sulfate. , followed by chromatographic procedures such as ion exchange chromatography, affinity chromatography, or the like.

USE OF A SUBTILASE VARIANT OF THE INVENTION A subtylase protease variant of the invention can be used for a number of industrial applications, particularly within the detergent industry. In addition, the invention relates to an enzyme composition, comprising a subtyla variant of the invention. A summary of preferred industrial applications and corresponding to preferred enzyme compositions is described below. This summary is not in any form proposed to be a complete list of suitable applications of a subtyla variant of the invention. A subtyla variant of the invention can be used in other industrial applications known in the art to include the use of a protease, in particular a subtylase.

COMPOSITIONS OF DETERGENT COMPRISING MUTATING ENZYMES The present invention comprises the use of the mutant enzymes of the invention for cleaning and detergent compositions and such compositions comprise the mutant subtilisin enzymes. Such cleaning and detergent compositions are well described in the art and reference is made to WO 96/34946; WO 97/07202; WO 95/30011 for further description of suitable detergent and cleaning compositions. Further reference is made to working example (s) herein, which show performance improvements to washing by a number of subtilase variants of the invention.

DESCRIPTION AND EXAMPLES OF DETERGENTS THERMOACTIVE SYSTEM The detergent compositions according to the present invention comprise a surfactant system, wherein the surfactant may be selected from nonionic and / or anionic and / or cationic and / or ampholytic and / or zwitterionic and / or semi-polar surfactants. The surfactant is typically present at a level from 0.1% to 60% by weight. Preferably the surfactant is formulated to be compatible with the components of the enzyme present in the composition. In liquid or gel compositions, the surfactant is most preferably formulated in a form that promotes it, or at least does not degrade, the stability of any enzyme in these compositions. Preferred systems to be used in accordance with the present invention comprise, as a surfactant, one or more of the nonionic and / or anionic surfactants described herein. Suitable for use as the non-ionic surfactant of the surfactant systems of the present invention: condensates of polyethylene oxide, polypropylene, and polybutylene of alkyl phenols; with the polyethylene oxide condensates that are preferred. These compounds include the condensation products of alkyl phenols having an alkyl group containing from about 6 to about 14 carbon atoms, preferably from about 8 to about 14 carbon atoms, in a straight chain or chain configuration branched with the alkylene oxide. In a preferred embodiment, the ethylene oxide is present in an amount equal to from about 2 to about 25 moles, more preferably from about 3 to about 15 moles, of ethylene oxide per mole of alkyl phenol. Commercially available nonionic surfactants of this type include Igepal ™ CO-630, distributed by GAF Corporation; and Triton ™ X-45, X-114, X-100 and X-102, all distributed by the Rohm & Haas Company. These surfactants are commonly referred to as alkylphenol alkoxylates (eg, alkyl phenol ethoxylates). The condensation products of primary or secondary aliphatic alcohols with approximately 1 to about 25 moles of ethylene oxide, are suitable for use as the nonionic surfactant of the nonionic surfactant systems of the present invention. The alkyl chain of the aliphatic alcohol can be straight or branched, primary or secondary, and generally contains from about 8 to about 22 carbon atoms. Preferred condensation products are alcohols having an alkyl group containing from about 8 to about 20 carbon atoms, more preferably from about 10 to about 18 carbon atoms, with from about 2 to about 10 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol. Approximately 2 to about 7 moles of ethylene oxide and more preferably from 2 to 5 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol are present in the condensation products. Examples of commercially available nonionic surfactants of this type include Tergitol TM 15-S-9 (The condensation product of the linear alcohol of 11 to 15 carbon atoms with 9 moles of ethylene oxide), Tergitol TM 24-L-6 NMW (the primary alcohol condensation product of 12 to 14 carbon atoms with 6 moles of ethylene oxide with a narrow molecular weight distribution), both distributed by Union Carbide Corporation; Neodol 45-9 (the condensation product of the linear alcohol of 14 to 15 carbon atoms with 9 moles of ethylene oxide), Neodol ™ 23-3 (the linear alcohol condensation product of 12 to 13 carbon atoms with 3.0 moles of ethylene oxide), Neodol 45-7 (the linear alcohol condensation product of 14 to 15 carbon atoms with 7 moles of ethylene oxide), Neodol 45-5 (the linear alcohol condensation product of 14 to 15 carbon atoms with 5 moles of ethylene oxide) distributed by Shell Chemical Company, Kyro TM EOB (the condensation product of alcohol of 13 to 15 carbon atoms with 9 moles of ethylene oxide), distributed by The Procter & Gamble Company, and Genapol LA 050 (the condensation product of alcohol of 12 to 14 carbon atoms with 5 moles of ethylene oxide) distributed by Hoechst. The preferred range of HLB in these products is from 8-11 and more preferred from 8-10. Also useful as the nonionic surfactant of the surfactant systems of the present invention are the alkylpolysaccharides described in US Pat. No. 4,565,647, which has a hydrophobic group containing from about 6 to about 30 carbon atoms, preferably from about 10 carbon atoms. to about 16 carbon atoms and a polysaccharide, for example, a polyglycoside, the hydrophilic group containing from about 1.3 to about 10, preferably from about 1.3 to about 3, more preferably from about 1.3 to about 2.7 units of saccharide. Any reducing saccharide containing from 5 or 6 carbon atoms can be used, for example, glucose, the galactose and galactosyl portions can be replaced by the glucosyl portions (optionally the hydrophobic group is attached to the 2-, 3-, positions , 4-, etc. Thus giving a glucose or galactose that opposes a glycoside or galactoside). The intersaccharide bonds can be, for example, between the position one of the units of the additional saccharide and the positions 2-, 3-, 4-, and / or 6- in the units of the preceding saccharide. The alkyl polyglycosides have the formula R O (CnH2n0) t (glycosyl) x wherein R is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkylphenyl, hydroxyalkyl, hydroxyalkylphenyl, and mixtures thereof in which the alkyl groups contain from about 10 to about 18. preferably from about 12 to about 14, carbon atoms; n is 2 or 3, preferably 2; t is from 0 to approximately 10, preferably 0; and x is from about 1.3 to about 10, preferably from about 1.3 to about 3, most preferably from about 1.3 to about 2.7. The glycosyl is preferably derived from glucose. To prepare these compounds, the alcohol or alkylpolyethoxy alcohol is first formed and then reacted with glucose, or a source of glucose, to form the glucoside (attached at position 1). The additional glycosyl units can then be linked between either the 1-position and the 2-, 3-, 4-, and / or 6- position of the preceding glycosyl units, predominantly preferably the 2-position. Products of the condensation of ethylene oxide with a hydrophobic base formed by the condensation of propylene oxide with propylene glycol are also useful for use as the additional nonionic surfactant systems of the present invention. The hydrophobic portion of these compounds will preferably have a molecular weight from about 1500 to about 1800 and will exhibit insolubility in water. The addition of the polyoxyethylene portions to this hydrophobic portion tends to increase the water solubility of the molecule as a whole, and the liquid character of the product is retained to the point where the polyoxyethylene content is about 50% of the total weight of the condensation product, which corresponds to the condensation with up to about 40 moles of ethylene oxide. Examples of compounds of this type include certain commercially available Pluronic ™ surfactants, sold by BASF. The condensation products of ethylene oxide with the resulting product from the reaction of propylene oxide and ethylene diamine are also suitable for use as the nonionic surfactant of the nonionic surfactant system of the present invention. The hydrophobic portion of these products consists of the reaction product of ethylenediamine and excess propylene oxide, and generally has a molecular weight of from about 2500 to about 3000. This hydrophobic portion is condensed with ethylene oxide the degree to which the condensation product it contains from about 40% to about 80% by weight of polyoxyethylene and has a molecular weight from about 5000 to about 11000. Examples of this type of nonionic surfactant include certain commercially available Tetronic ™ compounds, sold by BASF. Preferred for use as the non-ionic surfactant of the surfactant systems of the present invention are the condensates of the polyethylene oxide of alkyl phenols, the condensation products of the primary and secondary aliphatic alcohols with from about 1 to about 25 moles of ethylene, alkylpolycarbons, and mixtures thereof. More preferred are ethoxylates of alkyl phenol of 8 to 14 carbon atoms having from 3 to 15 ethoxy and ethoxylated alcohol groups (preferably of 10 carbon atoms on average) having from 2 to 10 ethoxy groups, and mixtures thereof. thereof . The highly preferred nonionic surfactants are the amide surfactants of the polyhydroxy fatty acid of the formula R- - C - N Z, Rk wherein R1 is H, or R1 is hydroxycarbyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, 2-hydroxyethyl, 2-hydroxypropyl or a mixture thereof, R is hydroxycarbyl of 5 to 31 carbon atoms, and Z is a polyhydroxyhydrocarbyl having a linear hydroxycarbyl chain with at least 3 hydroxyls directly connected to the chain, or an alkoxylated derivative thereof. Preferably, R1 is methyl, R2 is alkyl of 11 to 19 carbon atoms or alkyl of 16 to 18 carbon atoms or straight chain alkenyl such as coconut alkyl or mixtures thereof, and Z is derived from a reducing sugar such as glucose, fructose, maltose or lactose, in a reductive amination reaction. Highly preferred anionic surfactants include alkoxylated alkyl sulfate surfactants. Examples here are water soluble salts or acids of the formula RO (A) mS03M wherein it is an unsubstituted hydroxyalkyl or alkyl group of 10 to 24 carbon atoms having an alkyl component of 10 to 24 carbon atoms, preferably an alkyl of 12 to 20 carbon atoms or hydroxyalkyl, more preferably alkyl of 12 to 18 carbon atoms or hydroxyalkyl, A is an ethoxy or propoxy unit, m is greater than zero, typically between about 0.5 and about 6, of most preferred way between about 0.5 and about 3, and M is H or a cation which may be, for example, a metal cation (eg, sodium, potassium, lithium, calcium, magnesium, etc.), ammonium or cation of substituted ammonium. The ethoxylated alkyl sulfates as well as the propoxylated alkyl sulfates are contemplated herein. Specific examples of the substituted ammonium cations include methyl-dimethyl, trimethyl ammonium cations and quaternary ammonium cations such as tetramethyl ammonium and dimethyl piperidineo cations and those derived from alkylamines such as ethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine, mixtures of them, and similar. Exemplary surfactants are polyethoxylate (1.0) alkyl sulphate of 12 to 18 carbon atoms (C ?2-C? E (1.0) M), polyethoxylate sulfate (2.25) of alkyl of 12 to 18 carbon atoms (C ? 2-C? 8 (2.25) M), and polyethoxylate sulfate (3.0) of alkyl of 12 to 18 carbon atoms (C? 2-C? SE (3.0) M), and polyethoxylate sulfate (4.0) of alkyl of 12 to 18 carbon atoms (C? 2-C? ßE (4.0) M), wherein M is conveniently selected from sodium and potassium.

Suitable anionic surfactants to be used are the alkyl ester sulphonate surfactants byincluding linear esters of carboxylic acids of 8 to 20 carbon atoms (ie, fatty acids) which are sulphonated with gaseous SO 3 according to "The Journal of the American Oil Chemists Society ", 52 (1975), pages 323-329. Suitable starting materials could include natural fatty substances derived from bait, palm oil, etc. The preferred alkyl ester sulfonate surfactant, especially for washing applications, comprises alkyl ester sulfonate surfactants of the structural formula: R3 - CH - C OR * sop wherein R3 is a hydrocarbyl of 8 to 20 carbon atoms, preferably an alkyl, or combination thereof, R is a hydrocarbyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, preferably an alkyl, or combination thereof, M is a cation which forms a water soluble salt with the alkyl ester sulfonate. Suitable salt-forming cations include metals such as sodium, potassium and lithium, and substituted or unsubstituted ammonium cations, such as monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, and triethanolamine. Preferably, R3 is alkyl of 10 to 16 carbon atoms, and R4 is methyl, ethyl or isopropyl. Especially preferred are the methyl ester sulfonates wherein R3 is alkyl of 10 to 16 carbon atoms. Other suitable anionic surfactants include the alkyl sulfate surfactants which are salts or water soluble acids of the formula ROS03M wherein R is preferably a hydrocarbyl of 10 to 24 carbon atoms, preferably an alkyl or hydroxyalkyl having an alkyl component of 10 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably an alkyl of 12 to 18 carbon atoms or hydroxyalkyl, and M is H or a cation, for example, a cation of alkali metal (eg, sodium, potassium, lithium), or substituted ammonium or ammonium (eg, methyl-, dimethyl-, and trimethyl ammonium cations and quaternary ammonium cations such as tetramethyl-ammonium cations and dimethyl piperidinium cations; quaternary ammonium cations derived from alkylamines such as ethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine, and mixtures thereof, and the like). Typically, alkyl chains of 12 to 16 carbon atoms are preferred for low wash temperatures (eg, approximately less than 50 ° C) and alkyl chains of 16 to 18 carbon atoms are preferred for washing temperatures high (for example, approximately above 50 ° C). Other anionic surfactants useful for the detersive purposes may also be included in the laundry detergent compositions of the present invention. These may include soap salts (including, for example, sodium, potassium, ammonium, and substituted ammonium salts such as mono-, di- and triethanolamine salts), primary or secondary alkanesulfonates of 8 to 22 carbon atoms, olefinsulfonates of 8 to 24 carbon atoms, sulfonated polcarboxylic acids prepared by sulfonation of the pyrolyzed product of the alkaline earth metal citrates; for example, as described in British Patent Specification No. 1,082,179, alkyl polyglycol ether sulfates (containing up to 10 moles of ethylene oxide); alkyl glycerol sulfonates, fatty acyl glycerol sulfonates, fatty oleyl glycerol sulfates, alkyl phenol ethylene oxide sulfate ester, paraffin sulphonates, alkyl phosphates, isethionates such as acyl isethionates, taurates N-acyl, succinamates of alkyl and sulfosuccinates, sulfocuccinates of monoesters (especially monoesters of 12 to 18 saturated and unsaturated carbon atoms) and sulfosuccinates of diesters (especially diesters of 6 to 12 saturated and unsaturated carbon atoms), acyl sarcosinates, Alkylpolysaccharide sulfates such as the alkylpolyglucoside sulfates (the non-sulphonated nonionic compounds are described below), branched primary alkyl sulfates, and alkyl polyethoxy carboxylates such as those of the formula RO (CH2CH20) k-CH2COO-M + where R is an alkyl of 8 to 22 carbon atoms, k is an integer from 1 to 10, and M is a soluble salt forming cati n. Resin acids and hydrogenated resin acids are also suitable, such as rosin, hydrogenated rosin, and resin acids and hydrogenated resin acids present in or derived from liquid resin. Alkylbenzene sulfonates are highly preferred. Especially preferred are linear alkyl benzene sulfonates (straight chain) (LAS) wherein the alkyl group preferably contains from 1 to 8 carbon atoms. Additional examples are described in "Surface Active Agents and Detergents" (Vol. I and II by Schwartz, Perry and Berch). A variety of such surfactants are also generally described in US 3,929,678, (Column 23, line 58 through Column 29, line 23, incorporated herein for reference). When included herein, the laundry detergent compositions of the present invention typically comprise from about 3% to about 20% by weight of the anionic surfactant. The laundry detergent compositions of the present invention may also contain cationic, ampholytic, zwitterionic and semi-polar surfactants, as well as the anionic or / and nonionic surfactants other than those initially described herein. The cationic detersive surfactants suitable for use in the laundry detergent compositions of the present invention are those having a long chain hydrocarbyl group. Examples of such cationic surfactants include ammonium surfactants such as alkyltrimethylammonium halides, and those surfactants having the formula: [R2 (OR3) and] [R4 (OR3) and] 2R5N + X- wherein R is an alkyl or alkylbenzyl group having from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain, each R is selected from a group consisting of -CH2CH2-, -CH2CH (CH3) -, -CH2CH (CH2OH) -, -CH2CH2CH3-, and mixture thereof; each R is selected from the group consisting of alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, hydroxyalkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, benzyl ring structures formed by the joining of two groups R4, -CH2CHOHCHOHCOR6CHOHCH2OH, 'wherein R4 is any hexose or hexose polymer having a molecular weight less than 1000, and hydrogen when and not 0; R is the same as R or is an alkyl chain, wherein the total number of carbon atoms or R2 plus R is not greater than about 18; each y is from 0 to approximately 10, and the sum of the values y is from 0 to approximately 15; and X is any compatible anion. The cationic surfactants. highly preferred are the water-soluble quaternary ammonium compounds useful in the present composition having the formula: R1R2R3R4N X "(i) wherein Ri is alkyl of 8 to 16 carbon atoms, each of R2, R3 and R4 is independently alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, hydroxyalkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, benzyl, and (C2H or) ? H where x has a value from 2 to 5, and X is an anion. The preferred alkyl long chain for Ri is from 12 to 15 carbon atoms, particularly where the alkyl group is a mixture of long chains derived from coconut oil or "palm seed" or synthetically derived by the synthesis of the synthetic olefin or OXO alcohols The preferred groups for R2R3 and R4 are the methyl and hydroxyethyl groups and the anion X can be selected from the halide, methosulfate, acetate and phosphate ions Examples of suitable quaternary ammonium compounds of the formulas (i) for use herein are: bromide or coconut trimethylammonium chloride; bromide or coconut methyldihydroxyethylammonium chloride; decyl triethylammonium chloride; decyl dimethylhydroxyethylammonium bromide or chloride; bromide or dimethylhydroxyethylammonium chloride of 12 to 15 carbon atoms; bromide or coconut dimethylhydroxyethylammonium chloride; methyltrimethylammonium myristyl sulfate; Lauryl dimethylbenzylammonium bromide or chloride; lauryl bromide or dimethyl (ethenoxy) ammonium chloride; choline esters (compounds of the formula (i) wherein Ri is CH, - CHj - O - C- C12.1 alkyl and R, R5R, are methyl) n o di-alkyl imidazolines [compounds of the formula (i)] • Other cationic surfactants useful herein are also described in US 4,228,044 and in EP 000 224. When included herein, the laundry detergent compositions of the present invention typically comprise from 0.2% to about 25%, preferably from about 1% to about 8% by weight of such cationic surfactants. The ampholytic surfactants are also useful for use in the laundry detergent compositions of the present invention. These surfactants can be broadly described as aliphatic derivatives of the secondary or tertiary amines, or aliphatic derivatives of the heterocyclic secondary or tertiary amines in which the aliphatic radical can be a straight- or branched chain-. One of the aliphatic substituents contains at least about 8 carbon atoms, typically from about "8 to about 18 carbon atoms, and at least one contains a water-soluble anionic group, eg, carboxy, sulfonate, sulfate, see US 3,929,678. (column 19, lines 18-35) for the examples of ampholytic surfactants When included herein, the laundry detergent compositions of the present invention typically comprise from 0.2% to about 15%, preferably from about 1% to about 10% by weight of such ampholytic surfactants Zwitterionic surfactants are also suitable for use in laundry detergent compositions.These surfactants can be broadly described as derivatives of secondary and tertiary amines., derivatives of heterocyclic secondary and tertiary amines, or quaternary ammonium derivatives, quaternary phosphonium or tertiary sulfonium compounds. See US 3,929,678 (column 19, line 18 through column 22, line 48) for examples of zwitterionic surfactants. When included herein, the laundry detergent compositions of the present invention typically comprise from 0.2% to about 15%, preferably from about 1% to about 10%, by weight of such zwitterionic surfactants. Semi-polar nonionic surfactants are a special category of nonionic surfactants which include water-soluble amine oxides containing an alkyl portion from about 10 to about 18 carbon atoms, and 2 portions selected from the group consisting of of alkyl groups and hydroxyalkyl groups containing from about 1 to about 3 carbon atoms; the water-soluble phosphine oxides containing an alkyl portion from about 10 to about 18 carbon atoms and 2 portions selected from the group consisting of alkyl groups and hydroxyalkyl groups containing from about 1 to about 3 carbon atoms; the water soluble sulfoxides containing an alkyl portion of from about 10 to about 18 carbon atoms and a portion selected from the group consisting of alkyl and hydroxyalkyl portions from about 1 to about 3 carbon atoms. Semi-polar non-ionic detergent surfactants include the amine oxide surfactants having the formula: 0 * - R) (0R *) xN (R *) 2 wherein R is an alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, or alkylphenyl group or mixtures thereof containing from about 8 to about 22 carbon atoms; R 4 is an alkylene or hydroxyalkylene group containing from about 2 to about 3 carbon atoms or mixtures thereof; x is from 0 to about 3; and each R 5 is an alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group containing from about 1 to about 3 carbon atoms or a polyethylene oxide group containing from about 1 to about 3 ethylene oxide groups. The R groups can be linked to another, for example, through an oxygen or nitrogen atom, to form a ring structure. These amine oxide surfactants in particular include alkyl dimethylamine oxides of 10 to 16 carbon atoms and alkoxyethyl dihydroxyethylamine oxides of 8 to 12 carbon atoms. When included herein, the laundry detergent compositions of the present invention typically comprise from 0.2% to about 15%, preferably from about 1 to about 10%, by weight of such semi-polar nonionic surfactants.

SYNTHETIZER SYSTEM The compositions according to the present invention may additionally comprise a synthesizing system. Any conventional synthesizer system is suitable for use herein including aluminosilicate materials, silicates, polycarboxylates and fatty acids, materials such as ethylenediamine tetraacetate, metal ion sequestrants such as aminopolyphosphonates, particularly ethylene diamine tetramethylene phosphonic acid and diethylene triamine acid. pentamethylene phosphonic Although less preferred for naturally obvious reasons, phosphate synthesizers can also be used here. Suitable synthesizers can be an inorganic ion exchange material, commonly an inorganic hydrated aluminosilicate material, more particularly a synthetic hydrated zeolite such as hydrated zeolite A, X, B, HS or MAP. Another suitable inorganic synthesizer material is the layered silicate, for example SKS-6 (Hoechst). SKS-6 is a crystalline layered silicate consisting of sodium silicate (Na2Si2? 5). Suitable polycarboxylates containing a carboxy group include lactic acid, glycolic acid and ether derived therefrom as described in Belgian Patent Nos. 831,368, 821,369 and 821,370. Polycarboxylates containing two carboxy groups include the water-soluble salts of succinic acid, malonic acid, (diacetic acid (ethylenedioxy), maleic acid, diglycolic acid, tartaric acid, tartronic acid and fumaric acid, as well as the ether carboxylates described in German Patent Applications 2,446,686, and 2,446,487, US 3,935,257 and the sulfinyl carboxylates described in Belgian Patent No. 840,623 Polycarboxylates containing three carboxy groups include, in particular, water-soluble citrates, aconitrates and citraconates as well as succinate derivatives such as the carboxymethyloxysuccinates described in British Patent No. 1,379,241, the lactoxysuccinates described in Dutch Application 7205873, and the oxypolycarboxylate materials such as the 2-oxa-l, 1,3-propane tricarboxylates described in the patent British No. 1,387, .447 Polycarboxylates containing four groups The carboxy include the oxydisuccinates described in British Patent No. 1,261,829, the 1,2,4,2-ethane tetracarboxylates, the 1,1,3,3-propane tetracarboxylates containing sulfo substituents include the sulfosuccinate derivatives described in US Pat. British Patents Nos. 1,398,421 and 1,398,422 and in US 3,936,448, and the sulfonated pyrolysed citrates described in British Patent No. 1,082,179, while polycarboxylates containing phosphono substituents are described in British Patent No. 1.439,000. The heterocyclic and alicyclic polycarboxylates include cyclopentane-cis, cis-cis-tetracarboxylates, cyclopentadienide pentacarboxylates, 2, 3, 4, 5-tetrahydro-furan-cis, cis, cis-tetrahydrocarboxylates, 2,5-tetrahydro-furan-cis, discarboxylates, 2, 2, 5, 5-tetrahydrofuran tetracarboxylates, 1, 2, 3,, 5, 6-hexan hexacarboxylates and carboxymethyl, derivatives of polyhydric alcohols such as sorbitol, mannitol and xylitol. Aromatic polycarboxylates include derivatives of mellitic acid, pyromellitic acid and phthalic acid described in British Patent No. 1,425,343. Of the above, the preferred carboxylates are the hydroxy carboxylates which contain up to three carboxy groups per molecule, more particularly citrates. Preferred synthesizer systems for use in the present compositions include a mixture of a water-insoluble aluminosilicate synthesizer such as zeolite A or a layered silicate (SKS-6), and a water-soluble carboxylate chelating agent such as citric acid . A suitable chelator for inclusion in the detergent compositions according to the invention is ethylene diamine N, N'-disuccinic acid (EDDS) or the alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, ammonium, or ammonium salts subsituted therefrom, and mixtures thereof. The preferred EDDS compounds are in the free acid form and the sodium or magnesium salt thereof Examples of such EDDS of the preferred sodium salts include Na2EDDS and Na EDDS Examples of such EDDs of the preferred magnesium salts include MgEDDS and Mg2EDDS Magnesium salts are most preferred for inclusion in the compositions according to the invention Preferred synthesizer systems include a mixture of a water-insoluble aluminosilicate synthesizer such as zeolite A, and a chelating agent of water-soluble carboxylate such as citric acid Other synthesizing materials that can be part of the synthesizing system for use in granular compositions include inorganic materials such as alkali metal carbonates, bicarbonates, silicates, and organic materials such as organic phosphonates, phosphonates of polyalkyleneamino and polycarboxylates of amino Other organic salts soluble in ag Suitable are homo- or co-polymeric acids or their salts, in which the polycarboxylic acid comprises at least two carboxyl radicals separated in each other's form by not more than two carbon atoms. Polymers of this type are described in GB-A-1, 596, 756. Examples of such salts are polyacrylates of molecular weight of 2000-5000 and their copolymers with maleic anhydride, such as copolymers having a molecular weight from 20,000 to 70,000, specifically around 40,000. The salts of the detergent effect synthesizer are normally included in amounts of 5% to 80% by weight of the composition. The preferred levels of the synthesizer for liquid detergents are from 5% to 30%.

Enzymes Preferred detergent compositions, in addition to the preparation of the enzyme of the invention, comprise other enzyme (s) which provide cleaning performance and / or fabric care benefits. Such enzymes include other proteases, lipases, cutinases, amylases, cellulases, peroxidases, oxidases (for example laccases).

Proteases: any other protease suitable for use in alkaline solutions can be used. Suitable proteases include those of animal, plant or microbial origin. The microbial origin is preferred. Genetically or chemically modified mutants are included. The protease may be a serine protease, preferably an alkaline microbial protease or a trypsin-like protease. Examples of the alkaline proteases are subtilisins, especially those derived from Bacillus, for example, subtilisin Novo, subtilisin Carlsberg, subtilisin 309, subtilisin 147 and subtilisin 168 (described in WO 89/06279). Examples of trypsin-like proteases are trypsin (for example of porcine or bovine origin) and the Fusarium protease described in WO 89/06270. Preferred commercially available protease enzymes include those sold under the brands named Alcalase, Savinase, Primase, Durazym, and Esperase by Novo Nordisk A / S (Denmark), those sold under the brands named Maxtase, Maxacal, Maxapem, Properase, Purfect and Purfect OXP by Genencor International, and those sold under the brands named Opticlean and Optimase by Solvay Enzymes. Protease enzymes can be incorporated in the compositions according to the invention at a level from 0.00001% to 2% of the enzyme protein by weight of the composition, preferably at a level from 0.0001% to 1% of the enzyme protein by weight of the composition, more preferably at a level from 0.001% to 0.5% of the enzyme protein by weight of the composition, even more preferably at a level from 0.01% to 0.2% of the enzyme protein by weight of the composition.

Lipases: any lipase suitable for use in alkaline solutions can be used. Suitable lipases include those of fungal or bacterial origin. Genetically or chemically modified mutants are included. Examples of useful lipases include a Humicola lanuqinosa lipase, for example, as described in EP 258 068 and EP 305 216, a Rhizomucor miehei lipase, for example, as described in EP 238 023, a Candida lipase, such as a C. agalactic lipase, for example, the A or B antiarrotic lipase described in EP 214 761, a Pseudomonas lipase such as a P_ lipase. alkaligenes and P ^ pseudoalcaligenes, for example, as described in EP 218 272, a lipase P. cepacia, for example, as described in EP 331 376, a lipase P. stutzeri, for example, as described in GB 1,372,034, a lipase P. fluorescens, a Bacillus lipase, for example, a lipase B. Subtilis (Dartois et al., 1993), Biochemica et Biophysica act 1131, 253-260) , a lipase B. Stearothermophilus (JP 64/744992) and a lipase B. Pumilus (WO 91/16422). In addition, a number of cloned lipases may be useful, including the lipase Penicillium camembertii described by Yagamuchi et al., (1991), Gene 103, 61-67), the lipase Geotricum candium (Schimada, Y et al., (1989) , J. Biochem., 106, 383-388), and several Rhizopus lipases such as a lipase R. Delemar (Hass, M, J, et al., (1991), Gene 109, 117-113), Biochem, 56 , 716-719) and a R. Oryzae lipase. Other types of lipolytic enzymes such as cutinases may also be useful, for example, a cutinase derived from Pseudomonas mendocin as described in WO 88/09367, or a cutinase derived from Fusarium solani pisi (for example described in WO 90). / 09446). Particularly suitable lipases are lipases such as Ml Lipase ™, Luma fast ™ and Lipomax ™ (Genecor), Lipolase and Lipolase Ultra (Novo nordisk A / S), and Lipase P "Amano" (Amano Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.). Lipases are normally incorporated in the detergent composition at a level from 0.00001% to 2% of the enzyme protein by weight of the composition, preferably at a level from 0.0001% to 1% of the enzyme protein by weight of the composition , more preferably at a level from 0.001% to 0.5% of the enzyme protein per weight of the composition, even more preferably at a level from 0.01% to 0.2% of the enzyme protein per weight of the composition.

Amylases: any amylase (a and / or ß) suitable for use in alkaline solutions can be used. Suitable amylases include those of fungal or bacterial origin. Genetically or chemically modified mutants are included. Amylases include, for example, α-amylases obtained from a special strain of B. licheniformis, described in more detail in GB 1,296,839. The commercially available amylases are Duramyl ™, Termamyl ™, Fungamyl ™ and BAN ™ (available from Novo Nordisk A / S) and Rapidase ™ and Maxamyl P ™ (available from Genecor). Amylases are normally incorporated in the detergent composition at a level from 0.00001% to 2% of the enzyme protein by weight of the composition, preferably at a level from 0.001% to 1% of the enzyme protein by weight of the composition , more preferably at a level from 0.001% up to 0.5% of the enzyme protein per weight of the composition, even more preferably at a level from 0.01% to 0.2% of the enzyme protein per weight of the composition.

Cellulases: any cellulase suitable for use in alkaline solutions can be used. Suitable cellulases include those of fungal or bacterial origin. Genetically or chemically modified mutants are included. Suitable cellulases are described in US 4,435,307, which describes fungal cellulases produced from Humicola insolens. Particularly suitable cellulases are cellulases that have color care benefits. Examples of such cellulases are the cellulases described in European Patent Application No. 0 495 257. Commercially available cellulases include Celluzyme produced by a strain of Humicola insolens (Novo Nordisk A / S), and KAC-500 (B) ™ (Kao Corporation). The cellulases are normally incorporated in the detergent composition at a level from 0.00001% up to 2% of the enzyme protein by weight of the composition, preferably at a level from 0.0001% to 1% of the enzyme protein by weight of the composition , more preferably at a level from 0.001% up to 0.5% of the enzyme protein per weight of the composition, even more preferably at a level from 0.01% to 0.2% of the enzyme protein per weight of the composition.

Peroxidases / Oxidases: the peroxidases enzymes are used in combination with hydrogen peroxide or a source thereof (for example a percarbonate, perborate or persulfate). Oxidase enzymes are used in combination with oxygen. Both types of enzymes are used by "bleaching solution", that is, to prevent the transfer of a textile dye from a dyed fiber to another fiber when said fibers are washed together in a wash liquor, preferably together with an improved agent as described in for example, WO 94/12621 and WO 95/02426. Suitable peroxidases / oxidases include those of plant origin, fungal or bacterial. Genetically or chemically modified mutants are included. Enzymes of peroxidases and / or oxidases are normally incorporated in the detergent composition at a level from 0.00001% up to 2% of the enzyme protein by weight of the composition, preferably at a level from 0.0001% to 1% of the protein of enzyme by weight of the composition, more preferably at a level from 0.001% to 0.5% of the enzyme protein by weight of the composition, even more preferably at a level from 0.01% to 0.2% of the enzyme protein by weight of the composition. The mixtures of the aforementioned enzymes are included here, in particular a mixture of a protease, an amylase, a lipase and / or a cellulase. The enzyme of the invention, or any other enzyme incorporated in the detergent composition, is normally incorporated in the detergent composition at a level from 0.00001% to 2% of the enzyme protein by weight of the composition, preferably at a level from 0.0001% up to 1% of the enzyme protein by weight of the composition, more preferably at a level from 0.001% to 0.5% of the enzyme protein by weight of the composition, even more preferably at a level from 0.01% to 0.2% of the enzyme protein by weight of the composition. BLEACHING AGENTS Additional optional detergent ingredients that can be included. in the detergent compositions of the present invention include bleaching agents such as PBl, PB4 and percarbonate with a particle size of 400-800 microns. These components of the bleaching agents may include one or more oxygen bleaching agents and, depending on the choice of bleaching agent, one or more bleach activators. When the oxygen bleach compounds are presented they will typically be presented at levels from about 1% to about 25%. In general, bleaching compounds are optional added components in non-liquid formulations, for example, granular detergents. The bleach agent component for use herein can be any of the bleaching agents useful for detergent compositions including oxygen bleach as well as others known in the art. The bleaching agent suitable for the present invention can be an activated or non-activated bleaching agent. A category of the oxygen bleaching agent that can be used comprises percarboxylic acid bleaching agents and salts thereof. Suitable examples of this class of agents include magnesium monoperoxyphthalate hexahydrate, the magnesium salt of meta-chloro perbenzoic acid, 4-nonylamino-4-oxoperoxybutyric acid and diperoxydecandioic acid. Such bleaching agents are described in US 4,483,781, US 740,446, EP 0 133 354 and US 4,412,934. Highly preferred bleaching agents also include 6-nonylamino-6-oxoperoxycaproic acid as described in US 4,634,551. Another category of bleaching agents that can be used comprises the halogen bleaching agents. Examples of the hypohalide bleaching agents, for example, include trichloro isocyanuric acid and the sodium and potassium dichloro isocyanurates and sulfonamides of N-chloro and N-bromo alkane. Such materials are usually added to 0.5-10% by weight of the final product, preferably 1-5% by weight. The hydrogen peroxide releasing agents can be used in combination with bleach activators such as tetra-acetylethylenediamine (TAED), nonanoyloxybenzenesulfonate (NOBS, described in US 4,412,934), 3,5-trimethyl-hexsanoloxybenzenesulfonate (ISONOBS, described in EP 120 591) or pentaacetylglucose (PAG), which are perhydrolyzed to form a permeate as the active bleaching species, leading to the improvement of the bleaching effect. In addition, bleach activators of C8 (6-octanamido-caproyl) oxybenzenesulfonate, C9 (6-nonanamido caproyl) oxybenzenesulfonate and CIO oxybenzenesulfonate (6-decanamido caproyl) or mixtures thereof are very suitable. Also suitable activators are acylated citrate esters such as described in European Patent Application No. 91870207.7. Useful bleaching agents, including peroxyacids and bleaching systems comprising bleach activators and peroxygen bleach compounds for use in cleaning compositions according to the invention are described in USSN application 08 / 136,626. Hydrogen peroxide may also be present by the addition of an enzymatic system (i.e., an enzyme and a substrate therefor) which is capable of generating hydrogen peroxide at the beginning or during the washing and / or rinsing process. Such enzyme systems are described in European Patent Application EP 0 537 381. Bleaching agents other than oxygen bleaching agents are also known in the art and can be used here. One type of non-oxygen bleaching agent of particular interest includes photoactivated bleaching agents such as sulfonated zinc and / or aluminum phthalocyanines. These materials can be deposited on the substrate during the washing process. In irradiation with light, in the presence of oxygen, such as by hooking the clothes to dry it in daylight, the sulfonated zinc phthalocyanine is activated and, consequently, the substrate is bleached. The preferred zinc phthalocyanine and a photoactivated bleaching process are described in US 4,033,718. Typically, the detergent composition will contain about 0.025% to about 1.25% by weight of sulfonated zinc phthalocyanine. The bleaching agents may also comprise a manganese catalyst. The manganese catalyst can, for example, be one of the compounds described in "Efficient manganese catalysts for low temperature bleaching", Nature 369, 1994, p. 637-639.

FOAM SUPPRESSORS Another optional ingredient is a foam suppressant, exemplified by silicones, and silica-silicone mixtures. Silicones can generally be represented by alkylated polysiloxane materials, while silica is normally used in finely divided forms exemplified by silica aerogels and xerogels and hydrophobic silicas of various types. These materials can be incorporated as particulates, in which the foam suppressant is liberably advantageously incorporated in water soluble or water dispersible, the impermeable detergent carrier substantially not active on the surface. Alternatively, the foam suppressant can be dissolved or dispersed in a liquid carrier and applied by spray on one or more of the other components. A preferred agent that controls silicone foam is described in US 3,933,672. Other particularly useful suds suppressors are self-emulsifiable silicone foam suppressors, described in the German Patent Application DTOS 2,646,126. An example of such a compound is DC-544, commercially available from Dow Corning, which is a siloxane-glycol copolymer. The foam control agent which is especially preferred is the foam suppressor system comprising a mixture of silicone oils and 2-alkyl alkanols. Suitable 2-alkyl-alacanols are 2-butyl-octanol which are commercially available under the trademark named Isofol 12 R. Such a suds suppressor system is described in European Patent Application EP 0 593 841. Especially preferred silicone foam controlling agents are described in US Pat.

European Patent Application NO. 92201649.8. Said compositions may comprise a silicone / silica mixture in combination with a non-porous fumed silica such as Aerosil. The foam suppressors described above are normally employed at levels from 0.001% to 2% by weight of the composition, preferably from 0.01% to 1% by weight.

OTHER COMPONENTS Other components used in the detergent compositions can be employed such as stain dispersing agents, stain release agents, optical brighteners, abrasives, bactericides, fading inhibitors, anti-caking agents colorants, and / or encapsulated or non-encapsulated perfumes. Especially suitable encapsulation materials are water-soluble capsules which consist of a matrix of polyscarcid and polyhydroxy compounds as described in GB 1,464,616. Other suitable water-soluble encapsulation materials comprise dextrins derived from non-gelatinized starch acid esters of substituted decarboxylated acids such as described in US 3,455,838. These acid-ester dextrins are preferably prepared from such starches as corn oil, sorghum oil, sago, tapioca and potato. Suitable examples of such encapsulation materials include N-Lok produced by National Starch. The N-Lok encapsulation material consists of modified corn starch and glucose. The starch is modified by the addition of mono-functional substituted groups such as octenyl succinic anhydride. The anti-deposition and stain suspending agents suitable herein include cellulose derivatives such as methylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose and hydroxyethylcellulose. and homo- or co-polymeric polycarboxylic acids or their salts.

Polymers of this type include the plissaccharides and copolymers of maleic acid acrylic acid previously mentioned as sinterers, as well as the copolymers of maieic anhydride with ethylene, methyl vinyl ether or methacrylic acid, maieic anhydride comprising at least 20 mole percent of the copolymer. These materials are normally used at levels from 0.5% to 10% by weight, more preferably from 0.75% to 8%, more preferably from 1% to 6% by weight of the composition. In character, the preferred optical brighteners are anionic, examples of which are 4, disodium '-bis- (2-dimethanolamino-4 -ani1 ino-s-tria zin-6-ylamino) stilbene-2: 2'-disulfonate, 4, -4'-bis- (2-morpholino-4-anilino-s-triazin-6-ylamino-stilbene-2: 2'-disodium disulfonate, 4,4'-bis- (2, 4-diani1 is -triazin-6-ylamino) stilbene-2: 2'-disodium disulfonate, 4 ', 4"-bis- (2,4-dianilino-s-triazin-6-ylamino) stilbene-2-sulfonate monosodium, 4,4'-bis- (2-anilino-4- (N-methyl-N-2-hydroxy-ethylamino) -s-triazin-6-ylamino) stilbene-2, 2'-disodium disulfonate, 4,4'- bis- (4-phenyl-2, 1, 3-triazol-2-yl) -stilbene-2,2'-disulfonate, 4'-bis (2-anilino-4- (1-methyl-2-hydroxyethylamino) ) -s-triazin-6-ylamino) stilbene-2, 2'-disodium disulfonate, 2 (stilbene-4"- (naphtho-1 ', 2': 4, 5) -1, 2, 3-triazole -2"-sodium sulphonate and 4,4 '-bis (2-sulphotrisyl) biphenyl Other useful polymeric materials are polyethylene glycols, those of molecular weight 1000-10000, more particularly 2000 to 8000 and more preferably about 4000. These are used at levels from 0.20% to 5%, more preferably from 0.25% to 2.5% by weight. These polymers and the salts of the above mentioned homo- or co-polymeric polycarboxylates are of value for the improvement of the whiteness maintenance, the deposition of ash of the fiber, and the performance of the cleaning on the clay, oxidizable and proteinaceous spots in the presence of transition metal impurities. Stain release agents useful in the composition of the present invention are conventionally copolymers or terpolymers of terephthalic acid with ethylene glycol and / or propylene glycol units in various arrangements. Examples of such polymers are described in US 4,116,885 and 4,711,730 and EP 0 272 033. A particular preferred polymer according to EP 0 272 033 has the formula: CHa (PEG) «) 0.75 (POH) 0.25 [T-PO) 2.5 (T-PEG) o.4] T (POH) o.25 ((PEG) .3CH3) 0.75 where PEG is - (OC2H4) 0-, PO is (OC3H6O) and T is (pOOC6H4CO). Also very useful are polyesters modified as random copolymers of dimethyl teraphthalate, dimethyl sulfoisophthalate, ethylene glycol and 1,2-propanediol, the terminal groups consisting primarily of sulfobenzoate and secondarily of monoesters of ethylene glycol and / or 1,2-propanediol. The target is to obtain a polymer crowned at both ends by sulfobenzoate groups, "firstly", in the present context more than the copolymers here will be crowned at the "end by the sulfobenzoate groups." However, some copolymers will be totally less crowned, and therefore their end groups may consist of monoesters of ethylene glycol and / or 1,2-propandiol, it consists "secondarily" of such species The polyesters selected here contain about 46% by weight of the dimethyl terephthalic acid, about 16% by weight. weight of 1,2-propanediol, about 10% by weight of ethylene glycol, about 13% by weight of dimethyl sulfobenzoic acid and about 15% by weight of sulfoisophthalic acid, and have a molecular weight of about 3,000 polyesters and their method of preparation are described in detail in EP 311 342. Softening agents: The fiber softening agents can also be incorporated into laundry detergent compositions according to the present invention. These agents may be of inorganic or organic type. The inorganic softening agents are exemplified by the smectite clays described in GB-A-1 400898 and in US 5,019,292. Organic fiber softening agents include tertiary amines insoluble in water as described in GB-A1 514 276 and EP 0 011 340 and their combination with mono quaternary ammonium salts of 12 to 14 carbon atoms are described in EP -B-0 026 528 and the long chain di-amides as described in EP 0 242 919. Other useful organic ingredients of the fiber softener systems include high molecular weight polyethylene oxide materials as described in EP. 0 299 575 and 0 313 146. Smectite clay levels are normally in the range of 5% up to. 15%, more preferably from 8% to 12% by weight, with the material being added as a dry mixed component to the remainder of the formulation. Organic fiber softening agents such as water insoluble tertiary amine materials or long chain di-amide are incorporated at levels from 0.5% to 5% by weight, usually from 1% to 3% by weight while the materials of high molecular weight polyethylene oxide and water soluble cationic materials are added at levels from 0.1% to 2%, usually from 0.15% to 1.5% by weight. These materials are usually added to the spray-dried portion of the composition; although in some cases it may be more convenient to add them as a dry mixed particulate, or spray them as a molten liquid over other solid components of the composition.

Polymeric dye transfer inhibition agents: The detergent compositions according to the present invention can also comprise from 0.001% to 10%, preferably from 0.01% to 2%, more preferably from 0.05% to 1% by weight of the detergent compositions. agents for inhibiting the transfer of polymeric dye. Said polymeric dye transfer inhibiting agents are normally incorporated within the detergent compositions to inhibit the transfer of dyes from colored fibers onto fibers washed therewith. These polymers have the ability to form complexes or adsorb fugitive dyes removed by washing the fibers tapped before the dyes have the opportunity to rejoin other articles in the wash. Especially suitable polymer dye transfer inhibiting agents are the polyamine N-oxide polymers, the copolymers of N-vinyl pyrrolidone and N-vinylimidazole, polymers of polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinyloxazoliones and polyvinylimidazoles or mixtures thereof! The addition of such polymers also improve the functioning of the enzymes according to the invention. The detergent composition according to the invention can be in liquid forms, pastes, gels, sticks or granules. Non-dedusted granulates can be produced, for example, as described in US 4,106,991 and 4,661,452 (both by Novo Industrib A / S) and can optionally be covered by methods known in the art. Examples of coating wax materials are poly (ethylene oxide) products (polyethylene glycol, PEG) with average molecular weights of 1000 to 20,000; ethoxylated nonylphenols having from 16 to 50 ethylene oxide units; ethoxylated fatty alcohols in which the alcohol contains from 12 to 20 carbon atoms and in which there are 15 to 80 ethylene oxide units; fatty alcohols; fatty acids; mono- and di- and triglycerides of fatty acids. Suitable examples of film-forming coating materials for application by fluidized bed techniques are given in GB 1483591. The granular compositions according to the present invention can also be in "compacted form", that is, they can have a density relatively high than conventional granular detergents, i.e. form 550 to 950 g / 1; in such a case, the granular detergent compositions according to the present invention will contain a low amount of "inorganic filler salt", compared to conventional granular detergents; typical filler salts are alkaline earth metal salts of sulfates and. chlorides, typically sodium sulfate; "compacted" typically comprises detergent of not more than 10% filler salt. The liquid compositions according to the present invention may also be in "concentrated form", in which case, the liquid detergent compositions according to the present invention will contain a low amount of water, compared to conventional liquid detergents. Typically, the water content of the concentrated liquid detergent is less than 30%, more preferably less than 20%, more preferably less than 10% by weight of the detergent compositions. The compositions of the invention can, for example, be formulated as manual or mechanical laundry detergent compositions that include additive compositions and compositions suitable for use in the pretreatment of stained fibers, fiber softener compositions added by rinsing, and the compositions for use in the cleaning operations of the hard surface of the house in general and the washing operations. The following examples are proposed to exemplify the compositions of the. present invention, but are not necessarily proposed to limit or otherwise define the scope of the invention. In detergent compositions, abbreviated component identifications have the following meanings: LAS: Sodium linear C12 alkylbenzene sulfonate TAS: Sodium alkyl sulphate bait XYAS: Alkylsulfate C ?? - C ?? Sodium SS: Secondary soap surfactant of the formula 2-butyl octanoic acid 25EY: A linear primary alcohol predominantly of C12-C15 condensed with an average of Y moles of ethylene oxide 45EY: A predominantly linear primary alcohol of C14-C15 condensed with an average of Y moles of ethylene oxide XYEZS: C Al-C sodium alkyl sulfate ?? condensed with an average of Z moles of ethylene oxide per mole Nonionic: Mixed ethoxylated / propoxylated fatty alcohol of C13-C15 with an average degree of ethoxylation of 3.8 and a. Propoxylation grade of 4.5 sold under the trademark Plurafax LF404 by BASF GmbH CFAA: C12-C14 Alkyl N-methyl glucamide TFAA: Ciß-Ciß Alky N-methyl glucamide Silicate: Amorphous sodium silicate (Si02: Na20 ratio = 2.0 ) NaSKS-6: Crystalline layered silicate of formula d-Na2Si20s Carbonate: Anhydrous sodium carbonate Phosphate: sodium tripolyphosphate MA / AA: Maleic / acrylic acid copolymer 1: 4, average molecular weight of approximately 80,000 POLYACRYLATE: Molecular polyacrylate homopolymer 8,600 average sold under the tradename PA30 by basf GmbH Zeolite A: Hydrated Sodium aluminosilicate of the formula Na? 2 (A102Si02)? 2.27H20 having a primary particle size in the range from 1 to 10 micrometers Citrate: Dihydrate tri-sodium citrate Citric: Citric acid Perborate: Anhydrous sodium perborate monohydrate bleach, empirical formula NaB2.H202 PB: Perborate tetrahydrate sodium anhydrous Percarbonate: Anhydrous sodium percarbonate bleach of empirical formula 2Na2C? 3.3H202 TAED: Tetraacetyl ethylenediamine CMC: Sodium carboxymethylcellulose DETPMP: Penta diethylenetriamine (methylene phosphonic acid), distributed by Monsanto under the brand name Dequest 2060 PVP: Polyvinylpyrrolidone polymer EDDS: Ethylenediamine-N, N'-disuccinic acid, isomer [S, S] in the form of sodium salt Foam 25% paraffin wax melting point 50 ° C, 17% hydrophobic silica, 58% Suppressor: Granular paraffin oil Foam: 12% silicone / yes lice, 18% stearyl alcohol, 70% Suppressor: Granular form of starch Sulphate: Anhydrous sodium sulfate HMWPEO: High molecular weight polyethylene oxide TAE 25: Ethoxylated of cebamate alcohol ( 25) EXAMPLE OF DETERGENT I A granular fiber cleaning composition according to the invention can be prepared as follows: Linear alkyl C? 2 of sodium 6.5 Bencensulfonate Sodium sulfate 15.0 Zeolite A 26.0 Sodium nitrilotriacetate 5.0 Enzyme of the invention 0.1 PVP 0.5 TAED 3.0 Boric acid 4.0 Perborate 18.0 Phenolsulfonate 0.1 Minors up to 100 EXAMPLE OF DETERGENT II A compacted granular fiber cleaning composition (density 800 g / 1) according to the invention can be prepared as follows: 45AS 8.0 25E3S 2.0 25E5 3.0 25E3 3.0 TFAA 2.5 Zeolite A 17.0 NaSKS-6 12.0 Citrus acid 3.0 Carbonate 7.0 MA / AA 5.0 CMC 0.4 Enzyme of the invention 0.1 TAED 6.0 Percarbonate 22.0 EDDS 0.3 Granular foam suppressor 3.5 Water / minors up to 100% EXAMPLE OF DETERGENT III The granular fiber cleaning compositions according to the invention, which are especially useful in washing with the colored fibers, were prepared as follows: LAS 10.7 TAS 2.4 TFAA - 4.0 45AS 3.1 10.0 45E7 4.0 25E3S - 3.0 68E11 1.8 25E5 - 8.0 Citrato 15.0 7.0 Carbonate - 10 Citric acid 2.5 3.0 Zeolite A 32.1 25.0 Na-SKS-6 - 9.0 MA / AA 5.0 '5.0 DETPMP 0.2 0.8 Enzyme of the invention 0.10 0.05 Silicate 2.5 Sulphate 5.2 3.0 PVP 0.5 Poly (4-vinylpyridin) - - 0.2 N-oxide / copolymer of Vinylimidazole and vinyl-pyrrolidone Perborate 1.0 Fenolsulfonate 0.2 Water / minors up to 100% EXAMPLE OF DETERGENT IV The granular fiber cleaning compositions according to the invention, which provide "mildness through washing" can be prepared as follows: 45AS 10.0 LAS 7.6 68AS 1.3 45E7 4.0 25E3 5.0 Coconut-alkyl 1.4 1.0 -dimethyl hydroxyethyl ammonium Citrate 5.0 3.0 Na-SKS-6 11.0 Zeolite A 15.0 15.0 MA / AA 4.0 4.0 DETPMP 0.4 0.4 Perborate 15.0 Percarbonate - 15.0 TAED 5.0 5.0 Smectite clay 10.0 10.0 HMWPEO - 0.1 Enzyme of the invention 0.10 0.05 Silicate 3.0 5.0 Carbonate 10.0 10.0 Granular suppressor of 1.0 4.0 foam CMC 0.2 0.1 Water / minors up to 100% EXAMPLE OF DETERGENT V The heavy, dirty liquid fiber cleaning compositions according to the invention can be prepared as follows: I II Acid form. LAS - 25.0 Citric acid 5.0 2.0 Acid form 25AS 8.0 Acid form 25AE2S 3.0. -25AE7 8.0 CFAA 5 DETPMP 1. . 0 1.0 Fatty acid 8 Oleic acid 1.0 Ethanol 4. . 0 6.0 Propandiol 2 . 0 6.0 Enzyme of the invention 0. , 1 0 0.05 Coconut Chloride-alkyl 3.0 dimethylhydroxyethyl ammonium Clay smectite 5.0 PVP 2.0 Water / Children up to 100% INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS FOR SKIN A subtyla of the invention can be used in the skin industry, in particular for use in skin depilation. In said application a variant of the subtyla of the invention is preferably used in an enzyme composition which additionally comprises another protease. For a more detailed description of other suitable proteases see the section related to enzymes suitable for use in a detergent composition (vide supra).

INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS FOR WOOL A sublay of the invention can be used in the wool industry, in particular for use in cleaning clothes comprising wool.

In said application a variant of the subtyla of the invention is preferably used in an enzyme composition which additionally comprises another protease. For a more detailed description of other suitable proteases see the section related to enzymes suitable for use in a detergent composition (vide s upra). The invention is described in more detail in the following examples which are not in any way intended to limit the scope of the invention as claimed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS CEPAS: B. subtilis DN1885 (Diderichsen et al., 1990). B. lentus 309 and 147 are specific strains of Bacillus lentus, deposited with the NCIB and according to accession numbers NCIB 10309 and 10147, and described in US Patent No. 3,723,250 incorporated for reference herein.

E. coli MC 1000 (MJ Casadaban and SN Cohen (1980), J. Mol. Biol. 138 179-207), was made by conventional methods and is also described in US Patent Application No. series 039,298.

PLASMID: pJS3: E. coli - B. Subtilis shuttle vector containing a synthetic gene encoder for subtyla 309. (Described by Jacob Schiodt et al., in Protein and Peptide letters 3: 39-44 (1996)).

PSX222: B. Subtilis expression vector Described in WO 96/34946) GENERAL MOLECULAR BIOLOGICAL METHODS: Unless otherwise mentioned, manipulations and transformations of DNA were performed using standard methods of molecular biology (Sambrook et al. (1989) Molecular Cloning: a manual laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor lab., Cold Spring Harbor, NY; Ausubel, FM et al (eds.) "Current protocols in Molecular Biology." John Wiley and Sons, 1995; Harwood, CR, and Cutting, SMdeds.) "Molecular Biological Methods for Bacillus." John Wiley and Sons, 1990). Enzymes for DNA manupulations were used in accordance with supplier specifications.

ENZYMES FOR DNA HANDLING Unless otherwise mentioned all enzymes for DNA manipulations, such as, for example, restriction endonucleases, ligases, etc., are obtained from New England Balls, Inc.

PROTEOLITIC ACTIVITY In the context of this invention, the proteolytic activity is expressed in units of Protease Kilo NOVO (for its acronym in English, KNPU). The activity is determined relatively to an enzyme standard (SAVINASE®), and the determination is based on the digestion of a solution of dimethyl casein (DMC) by the proteolytic enzyme at standard conditions, ie, 50 ° C, pH 8.3 , reaction time 9 min, measurement time 3 min. A folder or bender AF 220/1 is available in the application of Novo Nordisk A / S, Denmark, this folder is included here for reference. A GU is a unit of Glycine, defined as the activity of the proteolytic enzyme which, under standard conditions, during a 15-minute incubation at 40 ° C, with N-acetyl casein as a substrate, produces an amount of the NH2 equivalent group to 1 mmol of glycine.

The activity of the enzyme can also be measured using the PNA assay, in accordance with the reaction with the soluble succinyl-alanine-alanine-proline-phenyl-alanine-para-nitrophenol substrate, which is described in the Journal of American Oil Chemists. Society, Rothgeb, TM, Goodlander, BD, Garrison, PH and Smith, L.A., (1988).

FERMENTATION: Fermentation of subtylase enzymes is carried out at 30 ° C on a rotating shaker table (300 r.p.m.) in flasks of Erlenmeyer deviators containing 100 ml of BPX medium for 5 days.

Consequently, to produce, for example, 2 liters of broth, 20 Erlenmeyer flasks were fermented simultaneously.

HALF: BPX: Composition (per liter) Potato starch 100g Ground barley 50g Soybean meal 20g Na2HP0 X 12 H20 9g Pluronic 0.1 g Sodium casein lOg The starch in the medium is liquefied with α-amylase and the medium is sterilized by heating at 120 ° C for 45 minutes. After sterilization the pH of the medium is adjusted to 9 by the addition of NaHCO3 at 0.1 M.

Example 1 CONSTRUCTION AND EXPRESSION OF ENZYME VARIANTS MUTAGENESIS DIRECTED TO THE SITE: Variants directed to the subtylase site 309, where the specific inserts were made in one of the rings of the active site according to the invention, can be done by the "single site deletion (USE)" or the "Uracilo-USE" technique described respectively by Deng et al. (Anal .. Biochem. 200: 81-88 (1992)) and Markvardsen et al. (BioTechniques 18 (3): 371-372 (1995)). The hardened plasmid was pJS3, or an analogue thereof containing a variant of Subtilasa 309, for example, the USE mutagenesis was performed with an oligonucleotide directed to the construction of an insertion variant G97GASG resulting in a variant of Subtilasa 309 G97GASG final. The Subtilasa 309 variants constructed in pJS3 were then subcloned in the expression plasmid pSX222 of B. subtilis, using the restriction enzymes Kpnl and Mlul. MUTAGENESIS LOCATED AT RANDOM TO INSERT RANDOM INSERTS IN A LOCALIZED REGION: The total strategy used to perform the randomized localized mutagenesis was: A mutagenic primer (oligonucleotide) was synthesized which corresponds to the part of the DNA sequence to be modified except for the nucleotide (s) corresponding to codon (s) of amino acids to be modified by insertions. Subsequently, the resulting mutagenic primer was used in a PCR reaction with a suitable opposite primer. The resulting PCR fragment was purified and digested or absorbed and cloned into an entangled vector with E. Coli-B. subtilis. Alternatively, and if necessary, the resulting PCR fragment is used in a second PCR reaction as a primer with a suitable second opposing primer so as to allow digestion and cloning of the mutagenized region in the entangled vector. PCR reactions are performed under normal conditions. Following this strategy, a randomly located geneteca was constructed in SAVINASE where insertions were introduced into the ring region of the active site from 95-103. Mutations / insertions were introduced by mutagenic primers (see below), so that only four amino acids: Thr, Gly, Ala and Ser are represented by two codons each (R = 50% of A and G; S = 50% of C and G; and Y = 50% of C and T). The PCR fragment produced was cloned into the Avr II and Not I sites of the pJS3 plasmid, and ten randomly selected E. coli colonies were sequenced to confirm the designated mutations. The mutagenic primer (5'- CTA TAC GCT AAA GTC CTA GGG GCG RSY RSY RSY RSY RSY RSY R5Y GTC AGC TCG ATT GCC CAA GG -3 '(sense)) were used in a PCR reaction with an appropriate opposite antisense primer , located downstream of the Mlul site in pJS3 (eg, 5'- CCC TTT AAC CGC ACA GCG TTT -3 '(antisense)) and the plasmid pJS3 which is quenched. This resulting PCR product was cloned into the interlaced vector pJS3 using the restriction enzymes Avr II and Not I. The randomly located gene constructed in pJS3 was then subcloned into the expression plasmid pSX222 of B. subtilis, using the restriction enzymes Kpnl and Mlul. The prepared genetically contains approximately 100,000 individual clones / genetically. Ten colonies randomly chosen were sequenced to confirm the designated mutations. To purify a subtyla variant of the invention, the expression plasmid pSX222 of B. subtilis comprising a variant of the invention was transformed into a competent B. subtilis strain and fermented as described above in a medium containing 10 μg. / ml of Chloramphenicol (for its acronym in English, CAM).

Example 2 PURIFICATION OF ENZYME VARIANTS This procedure describes the purification of a 2 liter scale fermentation of the Subtilisin 147 enzyme, the Subtilisin 309 enzyme or mutants thereof. Approximately 1.6 liters of fermentation broth was centrifuged at 5000 rpm for 35 minutes in 1 liter trays. The supernatants were adjusted to pH 6.5 using 10% acetic acid and filtered on Seitz Supra S100 filter plates. The filtrates were concentrated to approximately 400 ml using an Amicon CH2A UF unit equipped with an Amicon S1Y10 UF cartridge. The UF concentrate was centrifuged and filtered prior to absorption at room temperature on a Bacitracin affinity column at pH 7. The protease was eluted from the Bacitracin column at room temperature using 25% 2-propanol and sodium chloride. 1M sodium in a buffer solution with 0.01 dimethylglutaric acid, 0.1M boric acid and 0.002M calcium chloride was adjusted to pH 7. The fractions with protease activity of the Bacitracin purification step were combined and applied to a 750 ml Sephadex G25 column (5 cm dia.) equilibrated with a buffer containing 0.01 dimethylglutaric acid, 0.2 M boric acid and 0.002 m calcium chloride adjusted to pH 6.5. The fractions with proteolytic activity of the Sephadex G25 column were combined and applied to a cation exchange column of 150 ml CM Sepharose CL 6B (5 cm dia.) Equilibrated with a buffer containing 0.01 M dimethylglutaric acid, 0.2 M boric acid , and 0.002 M calcium chloride adjusted to pH 6.5. The protease was eluted using a linear gradient of 0-0.1 M sodium chloride in 2 liters of the same buffer (0-0.2 M sodium chloride in case of Subtilisin 147). In a protease from the final purification step containing fractions from the CM Sepharose column were combined and concentrated in an Amicon ultrafiltration cell equipped with a GR81PP membrane (from Danish Sugar Factories Inc.). Using the techniques of Example 1 for the construction and the above isolation procedure, the following subtilisin 309 variants were produced and isolated: 37.03: G97GASG + A98 S + S99G + G100A + S101A; 37.06: G97GAA + A98S + S99G + S101T; and 37.04: G97GAS + A98S + S99G, EXAMPLE 3 OPERATION TO THE WASHING OF COMPOSITIONS OF DETERGENT COMPRISING ENZYME VARIANTS The following examples provide results from a number of washing tests that are conducted under the indicated conditions.

EXPERIMENTAL CONDITIONS Table III: Experimental conditions for the evaluation of Subtilisin 309 variants The detergent used is a simple model formulation. The pH is adjusted to 10.5 which is within the normal range for a powder detergent. The composition of the model 95 detergent is as follows: STP (NasPsQio) 25% Na2S04 25% Na2C03 10% LAS (Nansa 80S 20% Tenside nonionic (Dobanol 25-7) 5.0% Na2Si2? 5 5.0% Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) 0.5% Water 9.5% The hardness of the water was adjusted by adding CaC12 and MgC12 (Ca2 +: Mg2 + = 2: 1) for deionized water (see also Surfactants in Consumer Products - Theory, Technology and Application, Springer Verlag 1986), pH of the detergent solution was adjusted to pH 10.5 by the addition of HCl The measurement of the reflectance (R on the test material was given at 460 nm using a Macbeth ColorEye 7000 photometer. Measurements were made according to the protocol of the producers.The operation of the washing of Subtilisin 309 variants was evaluated calculating an operating factor: R -R White Variant P = R -R Savinase White P: Operating factor Variant: Reflectance of the washed test material with Savinase variant: Reflectance of the washed test material with Savinase R White Reflectance of the washed test material without enzyme The claimed subtilisin 309 variants have all improved wash performance compared to Savinase® - ie, P > 1. Variants are divided into improved classes designated with capital letters: Class A 1 < P < 1.5 Class B 1.5 < P < 2 Class C P > 2 Table IV: Subtilisin variants 309 improved classes As can be seen from Table IV, the SAVINASE® variants of the invention exhibit an improvement in washing performance.

It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known by the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is that which is clear from the present description of the invention. Having described the invention as above, the content of the following is claimed as property

Claims

1. An isolated subtylase enzyme, characterized in that it has improved washing performance in a detergent, which is compared to BLSAVI, which has an amino acid sequence which is at least 40% identical to the amino acid sequence of mature BLSAVI, and is characterized because at least one of the circuits or rings of the active site, in the isolated subtyla, is larger than the circuit or ring of the corresponding active site in BLSAVI, whereby such regions of active site rings or circuits, in the subtyla isolated , have the minimum amino acid length as specified from the later group which comprises: (a) the region (both of the terminal amino acids included) between amino acid residues from 33 to 43 is at least 12 amino acids long (i.e. , at least one amino acid insertion, which is compared with BLSAVI); (b) the region (both of the terminal amino acids included) between amino acid residues from 95 to 103 is at least 10 amino acids long (ie, at least one amino acid insertion, which is compared to BLSAVI); (c) the region (both of the terminal amino acids included) between amino acid residues of 125 to 132 is at least 9 amino acids long (ie, at least one amino acid insertion, which is compared to BLSAVI); (d) the region (both of the terminal amino acids included) between amino acid residues 153 to 173 is at least 22 amino acids long (ie, at least one amino acid insertion, which is compared to BLSAVI); (e) the region (both of the included terminal amino acids) between amino acid residues from 181 to 195 is at least 16 amino acids long (ie, at least one amino acid insertion, which is compared to BLSAVI); (f) the region (both of the terminal amino acids included) between amino acid residues from 202 to 204 is at least 4 amino acids long (ie, at least one amino acid insertion, which is compared to BLSAVI); and (g) the region (both of the terminal amino acids included) between amino acid residues from 218 to 219 is at least 3 amino acids long (ie, at least one amino acid insertion, which is compared to BLSAVI).

2. The subtylase enzyme isolated according to claim 1, wherein the subtylase enzyme is a constructed variant characterized in that it comprises at least one insertion of at least one amino acid within at least one of the rings of the active site in accordance with the claim 1.

3. The subtylase enzyme isolated according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one of the amino acid residue inserted is selected from the group comprising: T, G, A, and S.

4. The isolated subtylase enzyme according to claims 1 6 2, characterized in that at least one of the amino acid residue inserted is selected from the group of charged amino acid residues, comprising: D, E, H, K, and R, in the form most preferred D, E, K and R.

5. The subtylase enzyme isolated according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one of the amino acid residue inserted is chosen from the group of hydrophilic amino acid residues, comprising: C, N, Q, S, and T, in the form most preferred N, Q, S and T.

6. The subtylase enzyme isolated according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one amino acid residue inserted is chosen from the group of hydrophobic amino acid residues, comprising: A, G and V.

7. The subtylase enzyme isolated according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one amino acid residue inserted is chosen from the group of hydrophilic amino acid residues, comprising: F, I, L, M, P, W and Y, more preferably F, I, L, M, and Y.

8. The subtylase enzyme isolated according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the insertion, in at least one of the circuits or rings of the active site, comprises at least two amino acids, which is compared with the ring or circuit of the active site corresponding in BLSAVI.

9. The subtylase enzyme isolated according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the subtylase enzyme is characterized in that it comprises at least one insert, chosen from the group comprising (in the BASBPN numbering): G97GASG; G97GAA; and G97GAS.

10. The subtylase enzyme isolated according to claim 9, wherein the subtylase enzyme is characterized in that it comprises at least one insertion / modification, chosen from the group comprising (in the BASBPN numbering): 37.03 G97GASG + A98S + S99G + G100A + S101A; 37.06 G97GAA + A98S + S99G + S101T; and 37.04 G97GAS + A98S + S99G.

11. The subtilase according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the subtilase, or if the subtilase is a variant of the main subtyla or matrix, is chosen from the subgroup I-SI.

12. The subtilase according to claim 11, characterized in that the subtilase is chosen from the group comprising ABSS168, BASBPN, BSSDY, and BLSCAR or functional variants thereof which has retained the characteristic of the subgroup I-SI.

13. The subtilase according to any of claims 1-9, characterized in that the subtilase, or if the subtylase is a variant of the main subtyla or matrix, is chosen from the subgroup I-S2.

14. The subtilase according to claim 13, characterized in that the main subtilase or matrix is chosen from the group comprising BLS147, BLS309, BAPB92, TVTHER AND BYSYAB or functional variants thereof which have retained the characteristic of subgroup I-S2.

15. The subtilase enzyme variant of any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the insert (s) is / are combined with one or more modification (s) in any other position (s).

16. The subtilase variant according to claim 15, characterized in that the modification (s) is / are combined with modification (s) in one or more of the positions 27, 36, 57, 76, 87, 97, 101, 104, 120, 123, 167, 170, 206, 218, 222, 224, 235 and 274.

17. The subtilase variant according to claim 16, characterized in that the subtilase belongs to the subgroup I-S2 and the additional change is chosen from the group comprising K27R, * 36D, S57P, N76D, S87N, G97N, S101G, V104A, V104N, V104Y, H120D, N123S, Y167, R170, Q206E, N218S, M222S, M222A, T224S, K235L, and T274A.

18. The variant according to claim 17, characterized in that it comprises any of the variants S101G + V104N, S87N + S101G + V104N, K27R + V104 Y + N123S + T274A, N76D + S103A + V104I or N76D + V10 A, or other combinations of these mutations (V104N, S101G, K27R, V104Y, N123S, T274A, N76D, V104A), in combination with any one or more of the substitutions, deletions and / or inserts mentioned in any of claims 1 to 12.

19. The subtilase variant of any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the modification (s) is / are combined with the modification (s) in one or more of the positions 129, 131, 133 and 194

20. The variant according to claim 19, characterized in that the subtilase belongs to the subgroup I-S2 and the additional modification is chosen from the group comprising P129K, P131H, A133P, A133D and A194P.

21. The variant according to claim 20, characterized in that the additional modification is chosen from the group comprising: Y167A + R170S + A194P Y167A + R170L + A194P Y167A + R170N + A194P Y167A + R170S + P129K Y167A + R170L + P129K Y167A + R170N + P129K Y167A + R170S + P131H Y167A + R170L + P131H Y167A + R170N + P131H Y167A + R170S + A133P Y167A + R170L + A133P Y167A + R170N + A133P Y167A + R170S + A133D Y167A + R170L + A133D Y167A + R170N + A133D

22. An isolated DNA sequence characterized in that it encodes a subtyla or a subtyla variant according to any one of claims 1 to 21.

23. An expression vector characterized in that it comprises an isolated DNA sequence according to claim 22.

24. A microbial host cell transformed with an expression vector according to claim 23.

25. The microbial host according to claim 24, characterized in that it is a bacterium, preferably a Bacillus, especially B. lentus.

26. The microbial host according to claim 25, characterized in that it is a fungus or yeast, preferably a filamentous fungus, especially an Aspergillus.

27. A method for producing a subtilase or subtyla variant according to any of claims 1 to 21, characterized in that a host of any of claims 23 to 26 is cultured under conditions that lead to the expression and secretion of the variant, and the variant is recovered.

28. A composition characterized in that it comprises a subtilase or a subtyla variant according to any of claims 1 to 21.

29. The composition according to claim 28, characterized in that it additionally comprises a cellulase, lipase, cutinase, oxidoreductase, another protease, or an amylase.

30. The composition according to claim 28 or 29, characterized in that the composition is a detergent composition.

31. Use of a subtilase or subtilase variant according to any one of claims 1 to 21 or an enzyme composition according to any of claims 28 to 30, in a laundry detergent and / or a dishwashing detergent.