Subtilase Variants Enhancing Detergent Wash Performance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current proteases used in detergents face challenges in maintaining effective wash performance across varying temperature and pH conditions, and in completely removing difficult stains under conventional washing conditions.
Innovation Solution
Development of subtilase variants with specific alterations such as X167A+R170S+A194P, along with substitutions like X59D, X62D, X76D, X104T, X120D, X133P, X141N, X156D, X163G, X209W, X228V, X230V, X238E, X261D, and X262E, which enhance protease activity and stability, leading to improved wash performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional proteases are used in detergents, then basic washing function is provided, but wash performance deteriorates under varying temperature and pH conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by introducing specific amino acid substitutions at defined positions in the subtilase sequence. These substitutions alter the enzyme's physical and chemical properties to improve stability across varying temperature and pH conditions while maintaining proteolytic activity in detergent applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by making targeted amino acid substitutions at specific positions (e.g., positions 4, 38, 76, 87, 99, 101, 103, 115, 121, 133, 147, 158, 167, 170, 172, 182, 185, 188, 195, 206, 209, 212, 217, 222, 225, 232, 235, 236, 245, 252, 255, 259, 260, 262, 274) rather than throughout the entire sequence. This localized modification approach improves stability while preserving the overall structure and function of the enzyme.
2Productivity
If parent subtilase is used, then protease activity is maintained, but ability to remove difficult stains is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent improves stain removal capability by changing amino acid parameters at specific positions to enhance proteolytic activity and substrate binding. The substitutions are designed to improve catalytic efficiency and stability, enabling effective removal of difficult stains under conventional washing conditions.
3Reliability
If multiple amino acid substitutions are introduced to improve stability, then enzymatic activity across conditions is enhanced, but protein structure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent manages structural complexity by introducing substitutions only at specific, strategically chosen positions in the subtilase sequence. This localized approach improves stability without requiring comprehensive modification of the entire protein structure, thereby maintaining a manageable level of complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the balance between stability and complexity by carefully selecting which amino acid parameters to change at each position. The substitutions are chosen to maximize stability improvement while minimizing structural complexity, based on the specific requirements of detergent application.
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 subtilase variants demonstrate improved wash performance and stability, maintaining enzymatic activity across a range of temperatures and pH levels, effectively removing tough stains compared to parent subtilases.
Implementation Method 1
subtilase variants having protease activity
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to subtilase variants suitable for use in, e.g., cleaning or detergent compositions, such as laundry detergent compositions and dish wash compositions, including automatic dish wash compositions. The present invention also relates to isolated DNA sequences encoding the variants, expression vectors, host cells, and methods for producing and using the variants of the invention.