Recombinant Serine Proteases for Surfactant-Stable Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for serine proteases suitable for specific industrial applications and conditions, particularly in cleaning fabrics and hard surfaces, as existing serine proteases may not perform optimally under certain conditions.

Innovation Solution

Development of recombinant serine proteases from Bacillus spp., specifically the BspAL03279-clade of subtilisins, characterized by specific motifs, which exhibit protease activity in the presence of surfactants, at basic pH, and elevated temperatures, making them suitable for use in cleaning compositions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing serine proteases are used, then general protease activity is provided, but optimal performance under specific conditions (basic pH, elevated temperatures, presence of surfactants) is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotease activity stabilityVSAvoidperformance under specific conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by introducing specific amino acid motifs (GXaGLLXXXXAVX where Xa is Asn or Ser) at particular positions in the subtilisin sequence. These localized sequence modifications enhance the enzyme's performance specifically under basic pH conditions and in the presence of surfactants, while maintaining overall protease activity across different conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameter changes by modifying amino acid residues at specific positions (194, 195, 243, 244, 245, 246, 247, 248, 249, 250, 251, 252, 253, 254, 255, 256, 257, 258, 259, 260, 261, 262, 263, 264, 265, 266, 267, 268, 269) to optimize the enzyme's catalytic activity and stability under elevated temperatures, basic pH, and surfactant conditions, thereby improving reliability across varying operational parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If serine proteases are designed for specific conditions (basic pH, elevated temperatures), then performance under those conditions is improved, but general applicability may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveperformance under challenging conditionsVSAvoidconsistent protease activity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves universality by designing subtilisin variants that maintain broad protease activity across diverse conditions. The enzyme retains effectiveness in laundry detergents, dishwashing detergents, and hard surface cleaners, demonstrating multi-functionality across different cleaning applications while adapting to basic pH and elevated temperatures through the specific amino acid motifs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The recombinant serine proteases demonstrate effective cleaning performance in detergents and hard surface cleaning applications, including laundry and dishwashing, with enhanced stability and activity under challenging conditions.

Implementation Method 1

Serine proteases are enzymes (EC No. 3.4.21) possessing an active site serine that initiates hydrolysis of peptide bonds of proteins

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnzymatic hydrolysis: Enzyme

Data Source

PatentUS12421508B2Serine proteases

Publication Date: 2025.09.23 DANISCO US INC

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to serine proteases and variants thereof. Compositions containing the serine proteases are suitable for use in cleaning fabrics and hard surfaces, as well as in a variety of industrial applications.