Thermostable D-hydantoinase and the application thereof

Abstract

The invention discloses a novel thermostable D-hydantoinase, and relates to the nucleic acid sequence, amino acid sequence and vector constructs of the enzyme. The thermostable D-hydantoinase of the invention shows about 45%-70% identity in amino acid sequence with other D-hydantoinases. The thermostable D-hydantoinase of the invention converts 5′-substituted D-hydantoinase to the corresponding N-carbamoyl-D- and/or -L-&agr;/&bgr;-amino acids, and retains at least 50% activity after 30 days at 50° C. In addition, the enzyme activity can also enhanced by certain divalent cations.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a novel thermostable D-hydantoinase, and particularly to the nucleic acid sequence, amino acid sequence, vector constructs and the application thereof.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Arts

[0004] D-amino acids are usually called unnatural amino acids. They are not used as frequently as L-amino acids, but are becoming more and more important, especially in the field of pharmacy, e.g. in the preparation of penicillin, cephalosporin and &bgr;-lactam antibiotic precursors.

[0005] Amoxicillin can be obtained by reacting D-p-Hydroxy-phenylglycine (D-p-HPG) with 6-amino-penicillianic acid. Recently, the market for amoxicillin has expanded and grown more than 12% with each year. Due to the enhanced sales volume of the products, the demands for D-p-HPG precursors have increased markedly, with growth over 10% each year.

[0006] D-p-HPG was once chemically synthesized from D,L-p-hydroxyphenylhydantoin (D,L-p-HPH). However, this method has numerous disadvantages, including: (1) many reaction steps are required; (2) expensive solvents are employed; (3) products with low optical purity are obtained; (4) low yield is obtained in each reaction cycle; (5) complex steps are required for separation of racemizing residues; and (6) environmental contamination is induced during chemical processes (Takahashi et al., 1979, J. Ferment. Tech. 57:328-332). Yamada et al. (1978, J. Ferment. Tech. 56:484-491) developed a new process for the production of D-amino acids by unsymmetrical transformation of D,L-5′-substituted hydantoin with the D-hydantoinase in microorganisms, followed by treatment with nitrous acid. The products obtained by such chemo-enzymatic process are more economical and convenient. In addition, no measure to ensure optical purity are taken during this process.

[0007] Although the chemo-enzymatic process solves the problem in purity in the optical compound, many steps are still required, thereby increasing production costs. In addition, the reaction temperature has to be brought to below 20° C. when the step of chemical decarbamoylation is carried out, otherwise D-p-HPG will be further hydrolyzed into 4-hydrobenzaldehyde. For a more convenient production method, many studies have become involved in searching for a microorganism capable of directly hydrolyzing substrates into D-amino acids. Olivieri et al. (1979, Enzyme Microb. Tech. 1:201-204) found that the crude extracts of Agrobacterium radiobater NRRL B 11291 possess the activity of N-carbamoyl-D-amino acid amidohydrolase, which can further hydrolyze N-carbamoyl-D-amino acid into D-amino acid. Therefore, the D-amino acids can be produced using D-hydantoinase and N-carbamoyl-D-amino acid amidohydrolase in microorganisms (Olivieri et al. 1981, Biotech. Bioeng. 23:2173-2183). Only one step is required in this method, and the racemizing residues can be completely converted to D-amino acids.

[0008] D-hydantoinase (EC 3.5.2.2) is useful in the production of N-carbamoyl-D-amino acids. Currently, microorganisms in which the D-hydantoinase gene has been cloned include Agrobacterium radiobater, Agrobacterium tumefaciens, Bacillus stearothermophilus, Bacillus thermoglucosidasius, Pseudomonas putida DSM 84, etc. The peptide length of D-hydantoinase ranges between 460 and 510 residues.

[0009] The two-step enzymatic process is desired for the production of D-amino acids in industries, thereby realizing cost savings for the manufacture. However, the current difficulty is the poor solubility of D,L-p-HPH. To overcome this problem, the reaction temperature has to be elevated to 50° C. to increase the solubility. In the current cloned D-hydantoinases, however, there is a loss of or decrease in activity at this temperature. Only a few D-hydantoinases cloned from thermophilic Bacillus carry sufficient heat-resistance. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,523,224, 5,679,571, and 4,912,044. The microorganisms in which the heat-resistant D-hydantoinase has now been cloned include Bacillus stearothermophilus, and Bacillus thermoglucosidasius. However, some problems in stability and efficiency still exist in these enzymes when they are applied in the industrial process.

[0010] Therefore, there is still a need for a thermostable D-hydantoinase, in which the enzyme can maintain activities under high temperature (e.g. 50° C.), and perform a preferred catalytic reaction, thereby converting 5′-substituted hydantoin to the desired D-amino acids.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The present invention provides a novel D-hydantoinase gene cloned from a thermophilic Bacillus circulans and an expression vector to largely express D-hydantoinase in a host. In addition, the present invention discloses the optimal conditions (i.e. divalent ions, pH, temperature) of enzyme activity for conversion of 5′-substituted hydantoin to the corresponding N-carbamoyl-D- and/or -L-&agr;/&bgr;-D-amino acids.

[0012] It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide an isolated nucleic acid molecule. This molecule encodes for a protein consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1, wherein the protein has D-hydantoinase activity and retains at least 50% activity after incubation at 50° C. for 30 days.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide a recombinant vector, which comprises the isolated nucleic acid molecule set forth above and a regulatory sequence.

[0014] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a thermostable D-hydantoinase, wherein the amino acid sequence of the D-hydantoinase is set forth in SEQ ID NO:1.

[0015] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method for preparing a D-amino acid, comprising reacting a 5′-substituted hydantoin with the thermostable D-hydantoinase of the present invention at a pH of 5 to 10 and at a temperature between 30° C. and 90° C.

[0016] Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a method for the expression of a thermostable D-hydantoinase in a host cell, comprising (a) introducing the above recombinant vector into the host cell; and (b) culturing the transformed host cell under conditions sufficient to express the thermostable D-hydantoinase. The method can further comprise a step of purifying and recovering the resulting thermostable D-hydantoinase for the large production of thermostable D-hydantoinase of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The present invention will be more fully understood and further advantages will become apparent when reference is made to the following description of the invention and the accompanying drawings in which:

[0018] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the construct of pSK-A vector;

[0019] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the construct of pSK-B vector;

[0020] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the construct of (A) pQE-bcidht vector, and (B) pET-bcidht vector;

[0021] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the nucleotide sequence of the thermostable D-hydantoinase with enzyme activity of the present invention (SEQ ID NO:2), and the deduced amino acid sequence thereof (SEQ ID NO:1);

[0022] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing effects of pH on D-hydantoinase activity of the present invention;

[0023] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the effects of temperature on D-hydantoinase activity in the present invention;

[0024] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the thermostability test of D-hydantoinase on the present invention; FIG. 8 is a diagram showing effects of metal ion on D-hydantoinase activity of the present invention;

[0025] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the effects of EDTA and 2,6-dipicolinic acid on D-hydantoinase activity in the present invention;

[0026] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the effects of H2O2 on D-hydantoinase activity in the present invention;

[0027] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the effects of NaCl on D-hydantoinase activity in the present invention; and

[0028] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the effects of NH4Cl on D-hydantoinase activity on the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a novel D-hydantoinase gene isolated from a thermophilic Bacillus circulars, which the gene encodes for a novel thermostable D-hydantoinase. In one preferred embodiment, the enzyme retains at least 50% D-hydantoinase activity after incubation at 50° C. for 30 days. The isolated nucleic acid molecule comprises at least the nucleotide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:2 or the complementary sequence thereof. Those skilled in the art belonging to molecular biology will appreciate that the DNA sequence can be slightly modified using any method known to this art. For example, degenerate codon can be used to replace the corresponding sites without changing the encoded amino acid sequence. Furthermore, additional codons can be added to the 3′- or 5′-end of the DNA sequence or inserted in the DNA sequence, but the activity of the resulting enzyme is only slightly affected, if at all. Genetic engineering methods such as addition, deletion, substitution, etc., are well-known to those skilled in this art and can be seen in Sambrook, et al., Molecular Cloning, A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, New York, 1989. Those modified sequences are all within the scope of the present invention.

[0030] The present invention also provides a recombinant vector comprising the isolated nucleic acid molecule as set forth above and a regulatory sequence. The regulatory sequence used herein can include, for example, plasmid replication origin sequence, selection marker, transcriptional promoter, etc. Suitable promoter sequences for the present invention include, for example, cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter, simian virus 40 (SV40) early promoter, Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) promoter, etc.

[0031] According to the isolated nucleic acid molecule of the present invention, one skilled in this art can express the desired gene product (i.e. D-hydantoinase) in any appropriate manner, with which the D-hydantoinase possesses the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:1.

[0032] The present invention further provides a method for preparing a D-amino acid, comprising reacting a 5′-substituted hydantoin with the thermostable D-hydantoinase of the present invention under suitable conditions, for example, at a pH from 5 to 10 and at a temperature from 30° C. to 90° C. The form of thermostable D-hydantoinase used herein can include purified D-hydantoinase, bacteria containing the recombinant vector set forth above or the crude extracts thereof. Suitable substrates (i.e. 5′-substituted hydantoin) include, but are not limited to, hydantoin, dihydrouracil, D,L-p-hydroxyphenylhydantoin or D,L-homophenylalanyl-hydantoin. As a result, the conversion of 5′-substituted hydantoin to the corresponding N-carbamoyl-D- and/or -L-&agr;/&bgr;-D-amino acids can be achieved using the thermostable D-hydantoinase of the present invention.

[0033] The preparation method set forth above further comprises addition of divalent metal ions to enhance the enzyme activity of the present invention. Suitable examples of divalent metal ions include, for example, cobalt (Co2+), manganese (Mn2+), or nickel (Ni2+)

[0034] The present invention also provides a method for expression of a thermostable D-hydantoinase in a host cell, comprising introducing the above recombinant vector into the host cell, and then culturing the transformed host cell under conditions sufficient to express the thermostable D-hydantoinase. The method can further comprise a step of purifying and recovering the resulting thermostable D-hydantoinase for the large production of thermostable D-hydantoinase of the present invention.

[0035] The host cell used herein is not limited, and can be varied according to the cloned promoter sequence or the industrial application. Such host cells can include prokaryotic cells (e.g. E. coli or Bacillus circulans) or eukaryotic cells (e.g. yeast cell).

[0036] The genetic engineering methods used herein, such as DNA modification, cloning and isolation of recombinant vectors, expression and purification of proteins, etc., are well-known to those skilled in this art and can be seen in Ausubel, F. M. et al., Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, New York, 1992; Sambrook et al., supra; and Davis, L. G., Methods in Molecular Biology, Elsevier, Amsterdam, NL, 1986.

[0037] Without intending to limit it in any manner, the present invention will be further illustrated by the following examples.

EXAMPLE

Example 1. Cloning of D-hydantoinase Gene

[0038] (1) Design of probes for D-hydantoinase gene

[0039] The amino acid sequences of the known D-hydantoinases were collected from database, and aligned using GCG program. The DNA sequences with high homology were designed as primers, with the following designated names and sequences:

[0040] ADHT-1: 5′-TTCCAGGCGGCATCGACCCGCA-3′

[0041] ADHT-2: 5′-GGCGCGGCCGGCCGCTTCACCTTC-3′

[0042] ADHT-6: 5′-CCATTCTCCGCATGCACCCATG-3′

[0043] Two DNA fragments, 510 bp and 400 bp in length were amplified from chromosomal DNA of Bacillus circulars by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The PCR amplification consisted of 0. 075 units pfu Turbo™ DNA polymerase (STRTAGENE®, La Jalla, Calif.) and 1 &mgr;M of primers pair of ADH-1 and ADH-2, and another pair of ADH-1 and ADH-6, respectively. PCR was carried out in 4 stages: (1) 94° C. for 3 min; (2) 94° C. for 1.5 min, 65° C. for 2 min, 72° C. for 2 min, 25 cycles; (3) 94° C. for 1.5 min, 65° C. for 1 min, 72° C. for 3 min, 1 cycle; and (4) hold at 4° C. The PCR products were sequenced and compared with D-hydantoinases from other organisms in their amino acid sequences. The D-hydantoinase of the present invention showed about 45%-70% identity in amino acid sequence with other D-hydantoinases. The PCR fragment with 510 bp in length was used as a probe for subsequent cloning of Bacillus circulans D-hydantoinase.

[0044] (2) Cloning of D-hydantoinase Gene

[0045] The genomic DNA library from Bacillus circulans was hybridized with the 32P-labeled 510-bp DNA probe. The positive clones were assayed for activities using a selective medium (LB medium containing 1% hydantoin and 0.005% phenol red, pH 7.7). The results show the medium turning from red to bright yellow in color only in the group of pBK-CMV-6 bearing E. coli XLORL, indicating that this clone possesses the enzyme activity of D-hydantoinase and contains a full-length D-hydantoinase gene which can be expressed in E. coli.

[0046] (3) Construction and Sequencing of the Recombinant Vectors pSK-A and pSK-B

[0047] Vector pBK-CMV-6 was digested with the restriction enzyme group of EcoRI and PstI, and with another group of PstI and XbaI. A DNA fragment about 5 kb in length was recovered, and then ligated to pSK(+) vector pre-digested with the same restriction enzymes. The resulting recombinant vectors were designated PSK-A (FIG. 1) and pSK-B (FIG. 2), respectively. Deletion reaction was carried out on both PSK-A and PSK-B vectors using exonuclease III to obtain the deleted fragments with various length. These fragments were ligated, and then transformed into E. coli NovaBlue. The transformed clones were selected and sequenced via T7 primer located on the vector. After analysis by DNASTAR software, one full-length D-hydantoinase gene was obtained. This D-hydantoinase gene is 1,386 bp in length, and the 461 amino acids are encoded by the open reading frame (ORF), with a molecular weight of 50,485 Da (Referring to FIG. 4). Other biochemical properties include: G+C content, 57.86%; hydrophobic amino acid content, 37%; polar amino acid content, 24%; iso-electric point (pI) 5.7; and electric charge -10.8 at pH 7.0.

Example 2. Construction of Recombinant Vector and Expression of D-hydantoinase

[0048] According to the DNA sequence of D-hydantoinase gene, the forward primer was synthesized from the origin of ORF, comprising a BamHI cleavage site. On the other hand, the reverse primer was synthesized from 100 bp downstream of stop codon, comprising a HindIII cleavage site. The D-hydantoinase gene fragments were amplified by PCR, followed by digestion with BamHI and HindIII. The treated DNA fragments were ligated into expression vectors pQE-30 and pET-21b, and designated pQE-bcidht (FIG. 3(A)) and pET-bcidht (FIG. 3(B)), respectively. The vector pQE-bcidht was transformed into E. coli NovaBlue to express D-hydantoinase. After culturing the transformants, 1 mM IPTG was added to induce expression when the absorbance of OD600 reached 1.0. The induced bacteria were incubated at 28° C. for 6 hours to induce the expression of proteins.

Example 3. Recovery and Purification of D-hydantoinase

[0049] The culture broth containing the induced bacteria mentioned above was collected. After ultra-sonication, the broth was centrifuged at 13,500 rpm for 20 min. The supernatant was collected and loaded onto the resin containing 6× His tag to adsorb the soluble D-hydantoinase with 6× histidine. The recovered proteins were analyzed by SDS-PAGE, and a protein band at about 51 kDa in size was noted markedly, corresponding to the size of deduced D-hydantoinase.

Example 4. Quantification of D-hydantoinase Activity

[0050] (1) Reaction pH of D-hydantoinase

[0051] The substrate D,L-p-HPH was dissolved in various pH buffers at the final concentration of 10 mM. The vector pQE-bcidht in E. coli NovaBlue, crude extracts thereof or the purified D-hydantoinase of the present invention, were added to each buffer containing substrate, and incubated at 50° C. for 10 min. The specific activity of the enzyme was then measured.

[0052] The result is shown in FIG. 5. The lower enzyme activity is found when the solution is acidic. Further, the enzyme loses its entire activity at pH 4.0. By contrast, higher enzyme activity is found when the solution is basic, and the enzyme has the highest specific activity of 3.36 unit/mg at pH 8.5. In addition, referring to FIG. 5, enzyme activity can be found at pH levels ranging from 5 to 10. With the same pH, the specific activity of the enzyme in buffers composed of different components is not, however, identical.

[0053] (2) Reaction Temperature of D-hydantoinase

[0054] The vector pQE-bcidht in E. coli NovaBlue, crude extracts thereof or the purified D-hydantoinase of the present invention (containing 500 &mgr;M Mn2+), was added to 10 mM substrate of D,L-p-HPH (dissolved in 50 mM Tris-HCl (pH 8.0)). The mixture was incubated at various temperature (30-90° C.) for 10 min. The specific activity of the enzyme was then measured.

[0055] The result is shown in FIG. 6. The specific activity of D-hydantoinase is only 9.0 unit/mg at 30° C. Enzyme activity increases with the elevated temperature, and the enzyme has the highest specific activity of 28.32 unit/mg at 60° C. Above 60° C., enzyme activity suddenly decreases, and with the specific activity of 4.26 unit/mg at 90° C.

[0056] (3) Thermostability of D-hydantoinase

[0057] The vector pQE-bcidht in E. coli NovaBlue, crude extracts thereof or the purified D-hydantoinase of the present invention (47 unit/mg; containing 500 &mgr;M Mn2+), was incubated at 50° C. in a thermostat water bath. The specific activity of the enzyme was measured at various time intervals.

[0058] The result is shown in FIG. 7. The half-life of D-hydantoinase is about 35 days. In addition, the enzyme of the present invention retains activity after 60 days incubation at 50° C.

[0059] (4) Relationship Between Metal Ions and Enzyme Activity

[0060] Various divalent metal ions (as set forth in Table 1 below) were added to the vector pQE-bcidht in E. coli NovaBlue, crude extracts thereof or the purified D-hydantoinase of the present invention at 500 &mgr;M concentration. After 15 minutes of incubation at room temperature, 10 mM substrate of D,L-p-HPH (dissolved in 50 mM Tris-HCl (pH 8.0)) was added. The specific activity of the enzyme was then measured.

[0061] The result is shown in FIG. 8. Cu2+and Zn2+inhibit D-hydantoinase activity at a level of 22% and 50%, respectively; however, Mn2+, Co2+ and Ni2+ enhance the enzyme activity (Table 1). The enzyme activity markedly increases to 7.7 times original activity when the solution contains 500 &mgr;M Mn2+. In addition, the enzyme activity increases to 4.5 and 1.3 times the original activity in the presence of 50 &mgr;M Co2+ and 100 &mgr;M Ni2+, respectively. 1 TABLE 1 Effects of metal ions on D-hydantoinase activity of the present invention Ion Specific activity Relative activity (500 &mgr;M) (unit/mg) (%)a No 2.88 100 CoCl2 7.25 252 CaCl2 2.53 88 CuCl2 2.26 78 FeCl3 2.52 87.5 FeSO2 2.52 87.5 MgSO4 2.69 94 MnCl2 22.25 773 NiSO4 4.00 139 ZnSO4 1.44 50 MgCl2 2.62 91 aRelative activity represents the activity percentage based on that of without adding ions.

[0062] (5) Effects of Chelator on D-hydantoinase Activity

[0063] The vector pQE-bcidht in E. coli NovaBlue, crude extracts thereof or the purified D-hydantoinase of the present invention was mixed with hydrophilic chelator, EDTA, and hydrophobic chelator, 2,6-dipicolinic acid, at 10 &mgr;M concentration, respectively. The mixture was incubated for 0-12 hours, and the enzyme activity was measured.

[0064] The result is shown in FIG. 9. The enzyme retains 70% activity after incubation with EDTA for 10 hours; whereas it retains only 40% activity after incubation with 2,6-dipicolinic acid for the same period.

[0065] (6) Effects of H2O2, NaCl, and NH4Cl on D-hydantoinase Activity

[0066] The vector pQE-bcidht in E. coli NovaBlue, crude extracts thereof or the purified D-hydantoinase of the present invention was incubated at 25° C. for 10 min. Afterwards, the catalase was added to the solution to remove residual H2O2, and then the enzyme activity was measured. In addition, various concentrations of NaCl and NH4Cl were added to the solution containing D-hydantoinase. The solution was incubated at room temperature for 10 min, and the enzyme activity was measured.

[0067] The results are shown in FIGS. 10-12. The enzyme retains 85% activity in the presence of 0.8 M H2O2, indicating the high resistance of D-hydantoinase in the present invention to the oxidation of H2O2. Moreover, enzyme activity is not affected even when the concentration of NaCl and NH4Cl is as high as 0.8 M, indicating the D-hydantoinase of the present invention is not inhibited by Na+ and NH4+.

[0068] (7) Substrate Selection of D-hydantoinase

[0069] 10 mM Dihydrouracil, hydantoin, D,L-p-HPH, 5-[2-(methylthio)ethyl]hydantoin, and D,L-homophenylalanyl-hydantoin were used as substrates, respectively. The vector pQE-bcidht in E. coli NovaBlue, crude extracts thereof or the purified D-hydantoinase of the present invention was reacted with each substrate at 50° C. for 10 min. Enzyme activity was then measured.

[0070] The result is shown in Table 2. The specific activity of D-hydantoinase for catalysis of dihydrouracil is the highest at 54 unit/mg. Further, the D-hydantoinase of the present invention is also capable of converting hydantoin, D,L-p-HPH, 5-[2-(methylthio)ethyl]-hydantoin, D,L-homophenylalanyl-hydantoin, and other 5′-substituted hydantoin to the corresponding N-carbamoyl-D- and/or -L-&agr;/&bgr;-D-amino acids thereof. 2 TABLE 2 Substrate selection of D-hydantoinase of the present invention Substrate Specific activity Relative activity (10 &mgr;M) (unit/mg) (%)a Dihydrouracil 54.29 100 Hydantoin 41.43 76 D,L-p- 47.43 87 Hydroxyphenyihydantoin 5-[2-(Methylthio)ethyl]- 21.48 40 hydantoin D,L-Homophenylalanyl- 45.64 84 hydantoin aRelative activity represents the activity percentage based on that of dihydrouracil.

[0071] (8) Conditions of Converting D,L-p-HPH by D-hydantoinase

[0072] The reaction pH of D-hydantoinase is between 5 and 10. It is also found that the specific activity of the enzyme for catalysis of D,L-p-HPH can achieve the maximum level of 47 unit/mg if the enzyme is pre-mixed with Mn2+ and incubated in an ice solution for 4 days. The substrate solubility and enzyme activity can be elevated by grinding D,L-p-HPH to powder form, dissolving the powdered substrate in 50 mM Tris-HCl (pH 8.0), followed by stirring the solution at room temperature for 2 hours. In addition, A suitable amount of DMSO can also enhance the solubility of substrate D,L-p-HPH, and elevate the conversion efficiency from D,L-p-HPH to D-p-HPG by the D-hydantoinase of the present invention.

[0073] While the invention has been particularly shown and described with the reference to the preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An isolated nucleic acid molecule which encodes for a protein consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1, wherein the protein has D-hydantoinase activity and retains at least 50% activity after incubation at 50° C. for 30 days.

2. The isolated nucleic acid molecule as claimed in claim 1, wherein the nucleic acid is selected from the group consisting of:

(i) an isolated nucleic acid molecule having the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:2; and

(ii) an isolated nucleic acid molecule complementary to SEQ ID NO:2.

3. The isolated nucleic acid molecule as claimed in claim 2, wherein the nucleic acid is isolated from Bacillus circulans.

4. A recombinant vector comprising the isolated nucleic acid molecule as claimed in claim 1 and a regulatory sequence.

5. The recombinant vector as claimed in claim 4, wherein the regulatory sequence comprises an operably linked promoter.

6. The recombinant vector as claimed in claim 5, wherein the recombinant vector is selected from the group consisting of:

(i) pBK-CMV-6 having the construct as shown in FIG. 1, Deposit Number: PTA-2553; and

(ii) pQE-bcidht which has the construct as shown in FIG. 3(A), Deposit Number: PTA-2554.

7. A thermostable D-hydantoinase, wherein the amino acid sequence of the D-hydantoinase is set forth in SEQ ID NO:1.

8. The thermostable D-hydantoinase as claimed in claim 7, wherein the D-hydantoinase is expressed by the recombinant vector as claimed in claim 6.

9. A method for preparing a D-amino acid, comprising reacting a 5′-substituted hydantoin with the thermostable D-hydantoinase as claimed in claim 7 at a pH from 5 to 10 and at a temperature from 30° C. to 90° C.

10. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the form of the thermostable D-hydantoinase comprises a purified D-hydantoinase, a bacterium containing the recombinant vector of claim 6 or the crude extracts thereof.

11. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the 5′-substituted hydantoin comprises hydantoin, dihydrouracil, D,L-p-hydroxyphenylhydantoin or D,L-homophenylalanylhydantoin.

12. The method as claimed in claim 9, further comprising adding a divalent metal ion to enhance the activity of the D-hydantoinase.

13. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the divalent metal ion is selected from the group consisting of cobalt, manganese, and nickel.

14. A method for expression of a thermostable D-hydantoinase in a host cell, comprising the steps of:

(a) introducing the recombinant vector of claim 6 into said host cell; and

(b) culturing said transformed host cell under conditions sufficient to express the thermostable D-hydantoinase.

15. A method for producing a thermostable D-hydantoinase, comprising the steps of:

(a) introducing the recombinant vector of claim 6 into a host cell;

(b) culturing said transformed host cell under conditions sufficient to produce the thermostable D-hydantoinase; and

(c) purifying and recovering the thermostable D-hydantoinase.

16. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the step of purifying and recovering is performed by column chromatography.

17. The method as claimed in claim 14 or claim 15, wherein said host cell comprises a prokaryotic cell or an eukaryotic cell.

18. The method as claimed in claim 17, wherein the prokaryotic cell comprises E.coli cell or Bacillus circulans cell.

19. The method as claimed in claim 17, wherein the eukaryotic cell comprises yeast cell.