Interface-Targeted Rational Design Strategies for Enhancing the Thermostability of d-Allulose 3-Epimerase.

Abstract

d-Allulose 3-epimerase (DAEase) catalyzes d-fructose conversion to d-allulose, but the poor thermostability of Clostridium cellulolyticum H10 DAEase limits its industrial application. Here, we enhanced DAEase thermostability by targeting the subunit interface using PROSS-guided combinatorial engineering and spatial clustering. Candidate mutations were classified into interface core, interface-adjacent, and distal regions, followed by stepwise iterative combination. Two mutants, M5 and M6, retained WT-like activity but showed markedly improved thermostability. The Tm values of M5 and M6 increased by 11.4 and 12.4 °C, respectively, while their half-lives at 65 °C increased 3-fold and 12-fold. Structural analysis indicated that interface mutations promoted salt-bridge reconstruction, distal mutations stabilized monomers, and interface-adjacent mutations optimized the assembly microenvironment. This spatially coordinated strategy provides an effective approach for engineering thermostable multimeric enzymes.