Low-molecular-mass nitrile hydratase fromRhodococcus rhodochrousJ1: purification, substrate specificity and comparison with the analogous high-molecular-mass enzyme

In addition to a previously described nitrilase and a high-molecular-mass nitrile hydratase, Rhodococcus rhodochrous J1 contains a second, low-molecular-mass nitrile hydratase, which was purified, characterized and compared with the high-molecular-mass enzyme. Due to its wide substrate spectrum, the low-molecular-mass enzyme broadens the nitrile-converting capacity of this strain. The versatility of nitrile metabolism in this organism and the significance of the low-molecular-mass enzyme for the synthesis of valuable amides is discussed.