Catalases

Abstract

Catalase enzymes derived from bacterial from the genera Alcaligenese (Deleya) and Microscilla are disclosed. The enzymes are produced from native or recombinant host cells and can be utilized to destroy or detect hydrogen peroxide, e.g., in production of glyoxylic acid and in glucose sensors, and in processes where hydrogen peroxide is used as a bleaching or antibacterial agent, e.g. in contact lens cleaning, in bleaching steps in pulp and paper preparation and in the pasteurization of dairy products.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An isolated polynucleotide comprising a polynucleotide having at least 70% identity to a member selected from the group consisting of: 
 (a) a polynucleotide encoding an enzyme comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group of amino acid sequences set forth in SEQ ID NOS: 7 & 9;    (b) a polynucleotide which is complementary to the polynucleotide of (a); and    (c) a polynucleotide comprising at least 15 bases of the polynucleotide of (a) or (b).    
     
     
         2 . The polynucleotide of  claim 1  wherein the polynucleotide is DNA.  
     
     
         3 . The polynucleotide of  claim 1  wherein the polynucleotide is RNA.  
     
     
         4 . The polynucleotide of  claim 2  which encodes an enzyme comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 7.  
     
     
         5 . The polynucleotide of  claim 2  which encodes an enzyme comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 9.  
     
     
         6 . A vector comprising the DNA of  claim 2 .  
     
     
         7 . A host cell comprising the vector of claim  14 .  
     
     
         8 . A process for producing a polypeptide comprising: expressing from the host cell of  claim 7  a polypeptide encoded by said DNA.  
     
     
         9 . A process for producing a cell comprising: transforming or transfecting the cell with the vector of  claim 6  such that the cell expresses the polypeptide encoded by the DNA contained in the vector.  
     
     
         12 . A method for catalyzing an oxidation reaction comprising: administering an effective amount of an enzyme selected from the group consisting of an enzyme having the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NOS: 7 & 9.