Mutated farnesyldiphosphate synthase capable of synthesizing geranylgeranyldiphosphate and gene coding therefor

Abstract: A mutated farnesyldiphosphate synthase capable of synthesizing geranylgeranyldiphosphate and gene coding for said mutated enzyme, wherein the mutated enzyme is modified from a native farnesyldiphosphate synthase by mutation of a gene coding for a native farnesyldiphosphate synthase.

Description: BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 1. Field of Invention The present invention relates to the mutated farnesyldiphosphate synthase capable of synthesizing geranylgeranyldiphosphate and a process for production thereof, as well as genes coding for said mutated enzymes and a process for isolation thereof. 2. Related Art In nature there are various isoprenoid chain compounds comprising 5 carbon atom-basic structure, isoprene units, and these isoprenoid compounds play important roles for the life of various organisms. It is known that the chain-extension mechanism is catalyzed by a series of prenyltransferases which catalyze a series of catalytic reactions comprising sequential condensation of isopentenyldiphosphate (IPP) having 5 carbon atoms with its isomer dimethylallyldiphosphate (DMAPP). Among the isoprenoid compounds, farnesyldiphosphate (FPP) having 15 carbon atoms is positioned at a branching point in a biosynthesis pathway, from which various physiologically important start to geranylgeranyldiphosphate (GGPP) having 20 carbon atoms, to quinones, squalene, to steroids, farnesylated protein, dolichol etc. Different prenyltransferases synthesize different isoprenoid compounds having different lengths. However, prenyltransferases have a common activity to condense an isoprenoid unit to extend the chain, and in fact, amino acids essential for the condensation are being clarified on the basis of homology of amino acid sequences of different prenyltransferases. However, the mechanism which determines the length of the isoprenoid compound have not yet clarified. A biosynthesis pathway for geranyldiphosphate (GPP), farnesyldiphosphate (FPP) and geranylgeranyldiphosphate (GGPP) starting from an isoprenoid unit is shown in Fig. 1. In this biosynthesis pathway, the prenyltransferase which synthesizes farnesyldiphosphate is designated "farnesyldiphosphate synthase", and the prenyltransferase which synthesizes geranylgeranyldiphosphate is designated "geranylgeranyldiphosphate synthase". Farnesyldiphosphate synthases are known in Bacillus thermophils (J. Biochem. 113 , 355 - 363 (1993)), E. coli (J. Biochem. 108 , 995 - 1000 (1990)), yeast (J.B.C. 265 , 19176 - 19184 (1989)), rats (Mol. Cell. Biol. 7 , 3138 - 3146 (1987)) and in humans (J.B.C. 265 , 4607 - 4616 (1990)), and their amino acid sequences are also known. On the other hand, geranylgeranyldiphosphate synthases are known in Rhodopseudomonas capusulata (J. Bacteriol. 154 , 580 - 590 (1983)), Erwinia uredovora (J. Bacteriol. 172 , 6704 - 6712 (1990)), Sulfolobus acidocaldarius (J.B.C. 269 , 14792 - 14797 (1994)) etc. Marrero, P.F. et al., J.B.C. 267, 21873-21878 discloses mutations affecting the activity of a rat farnesyl diphosphate synthase. However, it had not been known that an enzyme having geranylgeranyldiphosphate synthase activity can be obtained by mutation of farnesyldiphosphate synthase. SUMMARY OF INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention provides a novel geranylgeranyldiphosphate synthase obtainable by mutating a farnesyldiphosphate synthase and a process for production thereof, as well as gene system therefor and a process for isolation of the gene. More specifically, the present invention provides a process for production of a gene coding for a mutated geranylgeranyldiphosphate synthase according to claim 1. The present invention further provides a gene coding for a mutated geranylgeranyldiphosphate synthase, an expression vector containing said gene, and a host transformed with said vector. The present invention also provides a process for production of geranylgeranyldiphosphate synthase comprising expressing said gene, and geranylgeranyldiphosphate synthase obtainable by said process. From another point of view, the present invention provides a geranylgeranyldiphosphate synthase according to claim 8. The present invention still further provides a gene coding for the above-mentioned geranylgeranyldiphosphate synthase, a vector, especially an expression vector comprising said gene, and a host transformed with said vector. The present invention further provides a process for production of geranylgeranyldiphosphate synthase comprising the steps of cultivation said host, and purification the geranylgeranyldiphosphate synthase from the culture. The present invention further provides a process for production of geranylgeranyldiphosphate or geranylgeranyol, comprising the steps of acting the present geranylgeranyldiphosphate synthase on isopentenyldiphosphate, dimethylallyldiphosphate, geranyldiphosphate or farnesyldiphosphate as a substrate. BRIEF EXPLANATION OF DRAWINGS Figure 1 represents a biosynthesis pathway for farnesyldiphosphate and geranylgeranyldiphosphate. Fig. 2 shows the homology of amino acid sequences of farnesyldiphosphate synthase derived from different species. In this Figure, the sequences in the boxes A to D show regions having relatively high homology and which are expected to participate in enzyme activity. Fig. 3 shows the homology of amino acid sequences of farnesyldiphosphate synthase derived from different species. In this Figure, the sequences in the boxes E to G show regions having relatively high homology and which are expected to participate in enzyme activity. Fig. 4 shows a native amino acid sequence of farnesyldiphosphate synthase derived from Bacillus stearothermophilus (indicated as W.T), and the mutated points in amino acid sequences of the modified enzymes having geranylgeranyldiphosphate synthase activity (No. 1 to No. 4). Fig. 5 schematically shows a process for construction of the present modified gene. Fig. 6 is a profile of reversed phase TLC (developer: acetone/water = 9/1) showing products formed by acting the present enzyme on a substrate dimethylallyldiphosphate. Fig. 7 is a profile of a reversed-phase TLC (developer: acetone/water = 9/1) showing products formed by acting the present enzyme on a substrate geranyldiphosphate. Fig. 8 is a profile of a reversed phase TLC (developer: acetone/water = 9/1) showing products formed by acting the present enzyme on a substrate (all-E)-farnesyldiphosphate. Fig. 9 is a profile of a reversed phase TLC (developer: acetone/water = 9/1) showing products formed by acting the present enzyme on a substrate (all-E)-farnesyldiphosphate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Genes of the present invention can be obtained by subjecting a gene coding for a farnesyldiphosphate synthase to mutagenesis, expressing the genes subjected to the mutagenesis, and selecting a gene providing a protein having geranylgeranyldiphosphate synthase activity. Genes coding for a farnesyldiphosphate synthase used in the present invention may be those of any origin. For example, farnesyldiphosphate synthases of E. coli , yeast, human, rat etc., as well as genes coding therefor are known, and amino acid sequences of these enzymes have high homology as shown in Fig. 2. Therefore, in addition to the gene derived from Bacillus stearothermophilus as described in detail, according to the present invention, any gene coding for an amino acid sequence having a high homology, for example, at least 20% homology with the amino acid sequence of farnesyldiphosphate synthase derived from Bacillus stearothermophilus can be used regardless of its origin. As such gene sources, for example, Bacillus stearothermophilus , E. coli , yeast, humans, rats etc. can be used. The gene to be mutated is an RNA or DNA coding for a farnesyldiphosphate synthase and sensitive to treatment with a mutagen, and DNA is preferably used for to ease of handling, and especially a single-stranded DNA is preferred due to its high mutation ratio. A single-stranded DNA can be easily prepared according to a conventional procedure for preparing a single-stranded DNA, for example, by inserting a double-stranded DNA into a phage, introducing the phage into E. coli cells, culturing the E. coli cells and recovering the phage from the resulting lysate solution; or by introducing a desired double-stranded DNA into host cells, infecting the host cells with helper phage, culturing the host cells and recovering the phage from the resulting lysate solution. Mutation of a gene can be carried out according to a conventional procedure for artificially mutating a gene. The mutation methods can be a physical method such as irradiation with X-rays, ultraviolet rays, etc., a chemical method such as treatment with a mutagen, a method of cis incorporation by DNA polymerase, a method using synthetic oligonucleotides etc. A chemical method is preferable for ease of operation and a high mutation ratio. As a mutagen, a nitrite, such as sodium nitrite, or the like can be used. To mutate a single-stranded DNA, a nitrite is preferable. Mutagenesis is preferably carried out at a nitrite concentration of 0.01 to 2M, for example, at about 0.1 to 1M, at a temperature of 20 to 30°C, for 10 to 120 minutes. To select a gene coding for a protein having geranylgeranyldiphosphate synthase activity from the genes subjected to the mutagenesis, the gene subjected to the mutagenesis is inserted in an expression vector, the vector is introduced into host cells, the enzyme is expressed, and the expression product is tested for geranylgeranyldiphosphate synthase activity. Geranylgeranyldiphosphate is converted to phytoene by a phytoene synthase, and the phytoene is converted to lycopene having red color by a phytoene desaturase. Accordingly, for example, a gene coding for a phytoene synthase and a gene coding for phytoene desaturase are inserted into an expression vector, the vector is introduced into host cells such as E. coli cells, and further an expression plasmid comprising a DNA to be tested is introduced into said host cells, and the double transformed host cells are cultured. If the gene to be tested encodes a geranylgeranyldiphosphate synthase, and the geranylgeranyldiphosphate produced by the gene expression is converted to phytoene and further to lycopene, the cells are red-colored. Accordingly, a desired gene can be selected very easily and efficiently by selecting a red-colored colony. The present invention provides a protein having geranylgeranyldiphosphate synthase activity, i.e., a geranylgeranyldiphosphate synthase, having an amino acid sequence modified from a native amino acid sequence of a farnesyldiphosphate synthase. Here, the modification of an amino acid sequence means replacement of one or a few amino acids with other amino acids, deletion of one or a few amino acids or addition of one or a few amino acids, or a combination of these modifications. The amino acid replacement is especially preferable. Regarding the number of amino acids to be modified, "a few amino acids" means usually about 15 amino acids, preferably about 10 amino acids, and more preferably about 5 amino acids. Namely, according to the present invention, the number of mutated amino acids is about 1 to 15, preferably about 1 to 10, and more preferably 1 to 5. To determine the positions of modified amino acids, after the mutagenesis and the selection of a gene coding for a geranylgeranyldiphosphate synthase, a nucleotide sequence of the selected gene is determined, and an amino acid sequence is predicted from the determined nucleotide sequence, the predicted amino acid sequence of the modified enzyme is composed with the corresponding native amino acid sequence. Amino acid sequences thus determined of the modified enzymes are shown in Fig. 4. In Fig. 4, the row indicated by the symbol W.T shows, by the one-letter expression, a native amino acid sequence of farnesyldiphosphate synthase of Bacillus stearothermophilus origin, and the rows Nos. 1 to 4 show representative amino acid sequences which acquired geranylgeranyldiphosphate synthase activity by amino acid replacement in the amino acid sequence of the farnesyldiphosphate synthase, wherein only the amino acids different from the corresponding amino acids in the native amino acid sequence of the farnesyldiphosphate synthase shown in the line T.W are indicated by the one-letter expression of amino acid. The modified enzyme No. 1 has two mutations, i.e., the 81st position (Tyr→His) and 275th position (Leu→Ser); the modified enzyme No. 2 has two mutations, i.e., 34th position (Leu-Val) and 59th position (Arg→Gln); the modified enzyme No. 3 has two mutations, i.e., 157th position (Val→Ala) and 182nd position (His→Tyr); and the modified enzyme No. 4 has three mutations, i.e., 81st position (Tyr→His), 239th position (Pro→Arg) and 265th position (Ala→Thr). The amino acid sequences No. 1 to 4 of the above-mentioned modified enzymes and nucleotide sequences coding therefor are shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 to 4, and the native amino acid sequence and a nucleotide sequence coding therefor is shown in SEQ ID NO: 5. In the present invention, the amino acid sequence farnesyldiphosphate synthase of Bacillus stearothermophilus origin was used as a specific example. However, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, farnesyldiphosphate synthases have high homology among a wide spectrum of species covering those derived from the eukaryotes including humans and those derived from prokaryotes including bacteria. Therefore, the present invention can be applied to enzymes derived from various species to obtain novel geranylgeranyldiphosphate synthase. As shown in Fig. 4, amino acid modification such as replacement occurs on the 34th, 59th, 81st, 157th, 182nd, 239th, 265th, and/or 275th positions of farnesyldiphosphate of Bacillus stearothermophilus . For enzymes from other species, it is expected that replacement at positions corresponding to the above-mentioned positions of the farnesyldiphosphate synthase of Bacillus stearothermophilus origin provides similar effects as that for the modified enzyme derived from Bacillus stearothermophilus . Therefore, the present invention can be applied to any farnesyldiphosphate synthases. The present invention also relates to genes coding for the various geranylgeranyldiphosphate synthases derived from a farnesyldiphosphate synthase. These genes can be obtained by mutation of a gene coding for a corresponding native amino acid sequence. In addition, once the position of mutated amino acid is determined, a gene coding for the modified enzyme can be obtained by site-specific mutagenesis using a mutagenic primer. In addition, once an entire amino acid sequence is determined, a DNA coding for the amino acid sequence can be chemically synthesized according to a conventional procedure. Genes coding for farnesyldiphosphate synthases used as starting materials to obtain the present genes have been cloned from various organisms, and therefore they can be used. For example, a gene of Bacillus stearothermophilus origin is described in J. Biochem. 113 , 355 - 363 (1993), a gene of E. coli origin is described in J. Biochem. 108 , 995 - 1000 (1990), a gene of yeast origin is described in J.B.C. 264 , 19176 - 19184 (1989), a gene of rat origin is described in Mol. Cell. Biol. 7 , 3138 - 3146 (1987), and a gene of human origin is described in J.B.C. 265 , 4607 - 4614 (1990). The present invention further provides recombinant vectors, especially expression vectors, comprising the above-mentioned gene (DNA), recombinant host transformed with said vector, and a process for production of said enzyme using said recombinant host. As an example, where E. coli is used as a host, it is known that there are gene expression control mechanisms which regulate transcription of DNA to mRNA, translation of mRNA to protein etc. As promoter sequences which control the synthesis of mRNA, naturally occurring sequences such as lac, trp, bla, lpp, PL, PR, tet, T3, T7 et al., as well as mutants thereof, such as lacUV5, sequences prepared by fusing naturally occurring promoter sequences, such as tac, tra, etc. are known, and they can be used in the present invention. As sequences which control the ability to synthesize a protein from mRNA, it is known that a ribosome-binding site (GAGG and similar sequence) and the distance between the ribosome-binding site and the start codon ATG are important. In addition, it is known that a terminator which directs the termination of transcription at the 3'-end (for example, a vector comprising rrnBT1T2 is commercially available from Pharmacia) influences the efficiency of protein synthesis in a recombinant host. As starting vectors to prepare recombinant vectors of the present invention, those commercially available can be used. Alternatively, various vectors derivatized according to a particular purpose can be used. For example, pBR322, pBR327, pKK223-2, pKK233-2, pTrc99A etc. containing a replicon derived from pMB1; pUC18, pUC19, pUC118, pUC119, pTV118N, pTV119N, pHSG298, pHSG396 etc., which have been modified to increase copy number; pACYC177, pACYC184 etc. containing a replicon derived from p15A; as well as plasmids derived from pSC101, C01E1, R1 or F-factor, may be mentioned. Further, in addition to plasmids, viral vectors such as λ phage, M13 phage etc., and transposones can be used for introduction of a gene. These vectors are described in Molecular cloning (J. Sambrook, E.F. Fritsch, J. Maniatis, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press); Cloning vector (P.H. Pouwels, B.E. Enger-Valk, W.J. Brammer, Elsevier); and catalogs of manufacturers of vectors. Especially preferable is pTrc99 (commercially available for Pharmacia) which has an ampicillin resistance gene as a selective maker, Ptrc and lacI q as a promoter and control gene, an AGGA sequence as a ribosome-binding site and rrnBT1T2 as a terminator, and therefore has a function to control an expression of a geranylgeranyldiphosphate synthase. Introduction of a DNA coding for a mutated farnesyldiphosphate synthase capable of synthesizing geranylgeranyldiphosphate and if necessary DNA fragments having a function to control the expression of said gene into the above-mentioned vectors can be carried out using appropriate restriction enzymes and ligases according to a conventional procedure. Such a recombinant vector can be used to transform a microorganism such as Escherichia coli, Bacillus etc. Transformation can be carried out according to a conventional procedure, for example by the CaCl 2 method, protoplast method etc. described, for example, in Molecular cloning (J. Sambrook, E.F. Fritsch, T. Maniatis, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press), DNA cloning Vol. I to III (D.M. Glover, IRLPRESS). Although methods for expression of the present gene in E. coli was described in detail, according to the present invention, a DNA coding for a mutated farnesyldiphosphate synthase capable of synthesizing geranylgeranyldiphosphate is inserted into a conventional expression vector according to a conventional procedure, and the vector is used to transform a host, for example, prokaryotic cells such as various bacterial cells, lower eukaryotic cells for example single cell hosts, for example, yeast cells, or higher eukaryotic cells such as silk-worm. After transformation, the transformant is cultured to produce a geranylgeranyldiphosphate synthase, according to a conventional process. When a transformant host such as E. coli is cultured, mutated farnesyldiphosphate synthase capable of synthesizing geranylgeranyldiphosphate is intracellularly accumulated. To recover the geranylgeranyldiphosphate from the cultured host cells, the cells are treated physiologically or chemically, for example, with a cell lysating agent to lyze the cells. The cell debris is removed, and the supernatant is subjected to an isolation process conventional for purification of enzymes. The above-mentioned cell-lysing enzyme is preferably lysozyme, and the physical treatment is preferably treatment with ultrasonic radiation. When the supernatant is heated to a temperature of about 55°C, proteins intrinsic to E. coli are insolubilized and removed as an insoluble precipitate. To purify the enzyme, gel-filtration chromatography, ion exchange chromatography, hydrophobic chromatography, reversed chromatography, and affinity chromatography can be used alone or in combination. During the purification and isolation steps, the desired enzyme can be stabilized by addition of a reducing agent such as dithiothreitol, protecting agent against proteases such as PMSF, BSA etc., metal ions such as magnesium, alone or in combination. The present invention further provides a process for production of geranylgeranyldiphosphate or geranylgeranyol. In this process, isopentenyldiphosphate, dimethylallyldiphosphate, geranyldiphosphate, farnesyldiphosphate may be used as substrates. EXAMPLES Next, the present invention is explained in more detail by means of examples, though the present invention is not limited thereto. Example 1. Construction of mutated genes (Fig. 5) The translation start codon in plasmid pFE15 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 5-219761) containing a gene coding for farnesyldiphosphate synthase of Bacillus stearothermophilus origin was changed to ATG to obtain plasmid pEX11 (J. Biochem. 113, 355 - 363 (1993)) for overexpression of farnesyldiphosphate synthase, and the plasmid pEX11 was used in the following Examples. The mutation was carried out according to M. Myers et al. (Science, 229, 242 - 247 (1985)). First, a farnesyldiphosphate synthase gene present in NcoI-HindIII fragment in pEX11 was removed, and inserted it into plasmid pTV118N (available from Takara Shuzo, Japan) to construct a plasmid, which was then introduced into E. coli cells. The transformed E. coli cells were cultured. With infection of a helper phage M13K07 (available from Takara Shuzo), pTV118N is converted to a single-stranded DNA and preferentially incorporated in phage particles and liberated out of cells. The culture was centrifuged to obtain a supernatant, from which the single-stranded DNA was recovered. The single-stranded DNA thus recovered was subjected to mutation with sodium nitrite (concentration 1M or 0.2M) to introduce random mutation into the single-stranded DNA, which was then restored to a double-stranded DNA using AMV reverse-transcriptase XL (E.C.2.7.7.7). This farnesyldiphosphate synthase gene fragment was introduced into pTrc99A (available for Pharmacia) and pTV118N, and resulting recombinant plasmids were used to transform E. coli into which a phytoene synthase gene and phytoene desaturase gene had been previously introduced, and red colonies were selected. The principle of the selection is as follows. The following screening method follows Ohnuma et al. (J. Biol. Chem., 269 , 14792 - 14797 (1994)). E. coli harboring a plasmid pACYC-IB, into which crtB (phytoene synthase gene) and crtI (phytoene desaturase gene) of a phytopathogen Erwinia uredovora origin had been introduced, was transformed with the mutant plasmid. Note that at present it is believed that E. coli does not have a geranylgeranyldiphosphate synthase. If the mutant plasmid encodes geranylgeranyldiphosphate synthase activity, lycopene having red color is produced in E. coli cells by pACYC-IB resulting in formation of red-colored colonies. However, if the mutant plasmid does not encode geranylgeranyldiphosphate synthase activity, colonies are color-less. In this way, geranylgeranyldiphosphate synthase activity was easily detected by visual observation. As a result of transformation of the E. coli cells with the mutant plasmid, red colonies were detected. The ratio of positive clones was 1.32 × 10 -3 (10 colonies per 7,600 colonies) when the mutation was carried out using 1M NaNO 2 , while the ratio of positive clones was 5.98 × 10 -5 (one colony per 16,720 colonies) when the mutation was carried out using 0.2M NaNO 2 , revealing that the higher the concentration of NaNO 2 , the higher the positive ratio. Among the positive colonies, four colonies were selected, and a nucleotide sequence of an enzyme-coding region in the plasmid was determined, and an amino acid sequence encoded by the nucleotide sequence was determined, for each positive clone. The result is shown in SEQ ID NOs: 1 to 4. In addition, these amino acid sequences were compared with the native amino acid sequence, and positions of the mutation are shown in Fig. 4. Four mutated enzymes encoded by four mutant genes were further characterized. Example 2. Production of mutated enzymes E. coli transformed with the mutant plasmid was cultured in LB medium at 37°C overnight. The culture was centrifuged at 3,000 × G, at 4°C for 5 minutes to collect cells, which were then suspended in a buffer for sonication (50 mM Tris-HCl (pH 7.0), 10 mM 2-mercaptoethanol, 1 mM EDTA). The suspension was subjected to ultrasonic waves to disrupt the cells. The sonicate was centrifuged at 5,000 x g, at a temperature of 4°C for 20 minutes, to obtain a supernatant, which was then heated at 55°C for one hour to inactivate enzymes intrinsic to E. coli to obtain a crude enzyme extract. To test the enzymatic activity of each mutant enzyme, reactions were carried out in the following reaction mixture. [1-14C]IPP (1 Ci/mol)) 25 nmol Allyl substrate (DMAPP, GPP, FPP) 25 nmol MgCl 2 5 µmol NH 4 Cl 50 µmol 2-Mercaptoethanol 50 µmol Tris-HCl buffer (pH 8.5) 50 µmol Sample to be tested proper quantity Total 1 ml Note: DMAPP: Dimethylallyldiphosphate GPP: Geranyldiphosphate FPP: Farnesyldiphosphate The reaction mixture was incubated at 55°C for 30 minutes, and the product was extracted with water-saturated 1-butanol, and radioactivity of the extract was counted by a liquid scintillation counter. In addition, the extract (butanol layer) was treated with an acid phosphatase and extracted with pentane. The extract was analyzed by TLC. The TLC analysis showed that the use of dimethylallyldiphosphate and geranyldiphosphate as an allyl substrate provides similar TLC patterns. Note that since the amount of each sample was adjusted so that the radioactivity is approximately same between the samples, the density of the band does not indicate specific activity. The modified enzymes Nos. 1 and 4 produced an amount of geranylgeranyldiphosphate more than that of farnesyldiphosphate, and therefore it is considered that the modified enzymes Nos. 1 and 4 are suitable for the production of geranylgeranyldiphosphate. On the other hand, the modified enzymes No. 2 and No. 3 provided a small amount of geranylgeranyldiphosphate. Where (all-E)-farnesyldiphosphate was used as a substrate (primer), (all-E)-geranylgeranyldiphosphate was formed. The results are shown in Figs. 6 to 9. Specific activity and ratio of product (GGOH/FOH) are shown in Table 2. Specific activity (nmol/min/mg protein) Ratio of product (GGPP/FPP) Wild type 286 0 No. 1 pTV118N 0.293 18.4 pTrc99A 0.253 6.28 No. 2 pTV118N 110 2.95 × 10 -2 pTrc99A 83 2.54 × 10 -2 No. 3 pTV118N 143 1.65 × 10 -1 pTrc99A 19.7 1.73 × 10 -1 No. 4 pTV118N 0.262 15.5 pTrc99A 0.271 8.28

Claims: A process for the production of a gene coding for a mutated farnesyldiphosphate synthase capable of synthesizing geranylgeranyldiphosphate comprising the steps of: (1) subjecting a gene coding for a farnesyldiphosphate synthase to mutagenesis; (2) expressing the genes subjected to mutagenesis; and (3) selecting a gene coding for a mutated farnesyldiphosphate synthase capable of synthesizing geranylgeranyldiphosphate by inserting the gene subjected to mutagenesis in an expression vector, introducing the vector into host cells, expressing the enzyme and testing the expression product for geranylgeranyldiphosphate synthase activity. A process according to claim 1, wherein the gene coding for mutated farnesyldiphosphate synthase capable of synthesizing geranylgeranyldiphosphate is derived from Bacillus stearothermophilus . A gene coding for a mutated farnesyldiphosphate synthase capable of synthesizing geranylgeranyldiphosphate, obtainable according to the process of claim 1, wherein the modification is present on at least one of the amino acid positions 34, 59, 81, 157, 182, 239, 265, and 275 of farnesyldiphosphate synthase of Bacillus stearothermophilus origin, or at least one corresponding position in an amino acid sequence of a farnesyldiphosphate synthase of other origin. A process for the production of a mutated farnesyldiphosphate synthase capable of synthesizing geranylgeranyldiphosphate, comprising the step of expressing a gene of claim 3. A mutated farnesyldiphosphate synthase capable of synthesizing geranylgeranyldiphosphate, wherein the modification is present on at least one of the amino acid positions 34, 59, 81, 157, 182, 239, 265, and 275 of farnesyldiphosphate synthase of Bacillus stearothermophilus origin, or at least one corresponding position in an amino acid sequence of a farnesyldiphosphate synthase of other origin. A mutated farnesyldiphosphate synthase according to claim 5 obtainable according to the process of claim 4. A process for the production of geranylgeranyldiphosphate or geranylgeranylol comprising the step of letting act a mutated farnesyldiphosphate synthase obtainable by the process according to claim 4 capable of synthesizing geranylgeranyldiposphate on a substrate selected from a group consisting of isopentyldiphosphate, dimethylallyldiphosphate, geranyldiphosphate and farnesyldiphosphate. A geranylgeranyldiphosphate synthase having an amino acid sequence shown in any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1 to 4. A gene coding for a geranylgeranyldiphosphate synthase according to claim 8 or used in the process of claim 7. An expression vector comprising a gene according to claim 9. A recombinant host transformed with the expression vector according to claim 10.

Inventors: AYUMI KOIKE, KYOZO OGURA, SHINICHI OHNUMA, SHUSEI OBATA, TAKESHI NAKAZAWA, TANETOSHI KOYAMA, TOKUZO NISHINO, AYUMI, KOIKE, KYOZO, OGURA, SHINICHI, OHNUMA, SHUSEI, OBATA, TAKESHI, NAKAZAWA, TANETOSHI, KOYAMA, TOKUZO, NISHINO, Ayumi, Koike, c/o Toyota Jidosha K.K., Kyozo, Ogura, c/o Toyota Jidosha K.K., Shinichi, Ohnuma, c/o Toyota Jidosha K.K., Shusei, Obata, c/o Toyota Jidosha K.K., Takeshi, Nakazawa, c/o Toyota Jidosha K.K., Tanetoshi, Koyama, c/o Toyota Jidosha K.K., Tokuzo, Nishino, c/o Toyota Jidosha K.K.
Applicants: TOYOTA MOTOR CO LTD, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Application year: 1995
Main classification: C12N15
IPC codes: C12N1, C12P11, C12N9, C12N15, C12R1, C07H21, C12P9, G01N33