Characterization of novel metagenomic-derived lipase from Indian hot spring.

Extreme environments are the main source of industrially suitable biocatalysts. The non-cultivable approach of searching enzymes is known to provide ample scope to accomplish novelty for their industrial applications. Lip479 clone out of seven lipase-producing clones obtained from Taptapani hot spring was found to be optimally active at pH 8.0 and temperature 65 °C. The recombinant Lip479 was highly stable in organic solvents, methanol, DMF, DMSO, acetone, and dichloromethane. Lip479 lipase activity was enhanced in the presence of K+, Mn2+, Na+, Zn2+, and Ca2+ except for Fe3+. The ability of Lip479 lipase to act on long carbon chain of 4-nitrophenyl myristate suggests it might be a true lipase. Lip479 clone was found to have ORF of 1251 bp encoding 416 amino acid residues of 42.57 KDa size (theoretically calculated). The presence of conserved motif Ala-His-Ser-Gln-Gly and Zn2+-binding consensus sequence (GAAHAAKH) of the clone assigns the protein to lipase family 1.5. Phylogenetic lineage of the protein sequence of Lip479 was traced to family 1.5 as it was clubbed up with those of reported lipases of the same family. The above biochemical features indicated that Lip479 lipase can be a potential biocatalyst for its use in various industries.