Cadaverine Production by Using Cross-Linked Enzyme Aggregate of Escherichia coli Lysine Decarboxylase

Lysine decarboxylase (CadA) converts ${\small{L}}-lysine$ into cadaverine (1,5-pentanediamine), which is an important platform chemical with many industrial applications. Although there have been many efforts to produce cadaverine through the soluble CadA enzyme or Escherichia coli whole cells overexpressing the CadA enzyme, there have been few reports concerning the immobilization of the CadA enzyme. Here, we have prepared a cross-linked enzyme aggregate (CLEA) of E. coli CadA and performed bioconversion using $CadA^{CLEA}$. $CadA^{free}$ and $CadA^{CLEA}$ were characterized for their enzymatic properties. The optimum temperatures of $CadA^{free}$ and $CadA^{CLEA}$ were $60^{\circ}C$ and $55^{\circ}C$, respectively. The thermostability of $CadA^{CLEA}$ was significantly higher than that of $CadA^{free}$. The optimum pH of both enzymes was 6.0. $CadA^{free}$ could not be recovered after use, whereas $CadA^{CLEA}$ was rapidly recovered and the residual activity was 53% after the $10^{th}$ recycle. These results demonstrate that $CadA^{CLEA}$ can be used as a potential catalyst for efficient production of cadaverine.