Cloning and expression of the catalase-peroxidase gene from the hyperthermophilic archaeon Archaeoglobus fulgidus and characterization of the enzyme

A putative perA gene from Archaeoglobus fulgidus was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3), and the recombinant catalase-peroxidase was purified to homogeneity. The enzyme is a homodimer with a subunit molecular mass of 85 kDa. UV-visible spectroscopic analysis indicated the presence of protoheme IX as a prosthetic group (ferric heme), in a stoichiometry of 0.25 heme per subunit. Electron paramagnetic resonance analysis confirmed the presence of ferric heme and identified the proximal axial ligand as a histidine. The enzyme showed both catalase and peroxidase activity with pH optima of 6.0 and 4.5, respectively. Optimal temperatures of 70°C and 80°C were found for the catalase and peroxidase activity, respectively. The catalase activity strongly exceeded the peroxidase activity, with Vmax values of 9600 and 36 U mg-1, respectively. Km values for H2O2 of 8.6 and 0.85 mM were found for catalase and peroxidase, respectively. Common heme inhibitors such as cyanide, azide, and hydroxylamine inhibited peroxidase activity. However, unlike all other catalase-peroxidases, the enzyme was also inhibited by 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole. Although the enzyme exhibited a high thermostability, rapid inactivation occurred in the presence of H2O2, with half-life values of less than 1 min. This is the first catalase-peroxidase characterized from a hyperthermophilic microorganism