Over-expression in Escherichia coli of a thermally stable and regio-selective nitrile hydratase from Comamonas testosteroni 5-MGAM-4D.

The genes encoding a thermally stable and regio-selective nitrile hydratase (NHase) and an amidase from Comamonas testosteroni 5-MGAM-4D have been cloned and sequenced, and active NHase has been over-produced in Escherichia coli. Maximal activity requires co-expression of a small open reading frame immediately downstream from the NHase beta subunit gene. Compared to the native organism, the E.