Serine Protease HtrA2 from Halophilic Archeon Haloarcula sp. TG1: Heterologous Expression, Characterization and Immobilization

Halophilic proteases are valuable in industrial applications due to their resistance to harsh conditions. HtrA2 serine protease is widely distributed and conserved among eukaryotes and prokaryotes. However, HtrA2 proteases from archaea have been poorly characterized. In this study, <i>htrA2</i> from haloarcheon <i>Haloarcula</i> sp. TG1 was cloned and corresponding nucleotide and amino acid sequences were analyzed. Recombinant HtrA2 was produced in <i>Escherichia coli</i>, and biochemical properties of purified HtrA2 were characterized. HtrA2 was immobilized for the first time using polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) nanoparticles. Additionally, potential of HtrA2 as a detergent additive was evaluated by its bloodstain removal activity. Recombinant HtrA2 showed its optimum activity at 50 °C, pH 7.0, and 3.0 M NaCl. HtrA2 activity was highly retained over wide temperature (40 to 60 °C) and pH ranges (pH 5.0 to 11.0). Moreover, various organic solvents, inhibitors and metal ions were well tolerated by the enzyme. Acetone and Fe²⁺ significantly increased HtrA2 activity, while it was not inhibited by phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride and sodium dodecyl sulfate. Also, immobilization of HtrA2 onto PHB nanoparticles improved its reusability. Furthermore, HtrA2 successfully removed the bloodstain from cotton fabric. This comprehensive characterization of HtrA2 demonstrates that recombinant HtrA2 obtained from <i>Haloarcula</i> sp. TG1 is promising for industrial applications.