Cloning, sequencing and overexpression of the leucine dehydrogenase gene from Bacillus cereus.

The L-leucine dehydrogenase gene from Bacillus cereus (DSM 626) was cloned from a partial genomic library and sequenced. The open reading frame has 1101 bp and codes for a protein of 39.9 kDa. The deduced amino acid sequence of the LeuDH from B. cereus shares 70-80% identity with LeuDH's from the thermophilic strains B. stearothermophilus and Thermoactinomyces intermedius. The active protein was overexpressed in Escherichia coli to yield approximately 30% of the total soluble protein.