Cloning and Nucleotide Sequence of Amidase Gene from Pseudomonas putida

Amidases are a class of enzymes which convert amides to acids and have potential value in the development of commercial bioprocesses for the production of useful chemicals. A gene encoding an amidase in Pseudomonas putida 5B has been cloned, sequenced, and overexpressed in Escherichia coli. An additional open reading frame (P38K) encoding a putative protein of 38 kDa was found immediately upstream of the amidase gene. This work continues our characterization of a P. putida operon, which now appears to include P38K, amidase, and a stereo-specific nitrile hydratase. This characterization underlies continuing efforts in biocatalyst development.