Drosophila lebanonensis ADH: analysis of recombinant wild‐type enzyme and site‐directed mutants

Abstract
Unique amino acid substitutions occur in D. lebanonensis ADH. They are found within the putative NAD + -binding domain and affect residues that are otherwise highly conserved in all other species of the genus. To restore the consensus ainino acids, we have constructed an expression system for this enzyme in E. coli, and engineered two mutants, Ala13 Gly and Asn56 Thr. The biochemical and kinetic features of these retromutants are consistent with increased catalytic efficiency and thermal stability. Thus, results show that wild-type D. lebanonensis ADH can be improved by site-directed mutagenesis.