D-GLUCONOLACTONE OXIDASE GENE AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING RECOMBINANT D-GLUCONOLACTONE OXIDASE

摘要

The present invention is directed to the isolation of nucleic acid molecules which encode the enzyme D-gluconolactone oxidase (D-GLO) useful in the production of erythorbic acid by the conversion of D-gluconolactone. Various modifications of such nucleic acid molecules are contemplated including the encoded proteins which retain the enzymatic activity of naturally occuring D-GLO. Recombinant methods of producing D-gluconolactone oxidase utilizing the nucleic acids of this invention in various host cells transformed by appropriate expression vectors are preferred. Methods of utilizing the D-GLO of the present invention in processes for the conversion of glucose and specifically the conversion of D-gluconolactone to erythorbic acid are also contemplated.