Abstract: Variants of the transglutaminase enzyme of Streptomyces mobaraensis are provided. The disclosed variants exhibit at least about 2-fold increased enzymatic activity versus the wild-type enzyme. Methods and compositions are provided for biocidal applications of use and for covalently binding small organic molecules to a protein or material of interest. Methods are provided for increasing the self-life of products, such as personal care, household and industrial products, by incorporating an effective amount of the disclosed variant enzymes into the product. The transglutaminase variants may also be used to covalently bind functional ingredients, such as UV-blocking molecules, dyes, or pigments to proteins. The transglutaminase enzymes and functional ingredients may be incorporated into a cosmetic formulation for modifying skin, hair, or nail proteins or skin-derived proteins, such as collagen, keratin, and/or elastin.

Abstract: High throughput cell free protein synthesis methods and systems are provided for expression of active, mature enzymes and proteins derived from zymogens and proproteins. Zymogens and proproteins are expressed in their mature, active form in a cell free expression system, without cleavage of a pro-sequence to produce the active polypeptide.

Abstract: Antimicrobial preservative compositions that can be incorporated in products to be preserved are disclosed herein. The disclosed compositions include immobilized biocidal enzymes, such as cross-linking enzymes or active enzymes falling into the zymogen-class, for the purpose of modifying amino acid residues on a protein or binding a molecule of interest to a protein. The compositions include enzymes that are immobilized on a polymeric solid support, which improve the shelf life of the enzyme and protect the enzyme from auto-cross-linking or other deterioration over extended storage periods. Also disclosed are methods of increasing the self-like of products, such as personal care, household and industrial products, by incorporating an effective amount of the disclosed compositions into the product.