Fusion of Substrate-Binding Domains Enhances the Catalytic Capacity of Keratinases and Promotes Enzymatic Conversion of Feather Waste

The unique role of keratinases in keratin hydrolysis has garnered huge interest in the recovery of feather waste. However, owing to the high hydrophobicity of feather keratins, the catalytic capacity of keratinases for hydrolyzing feathers is typically low. In this study, we aimed to improve the keratinase feather hydrolysis efficiency by fusing a substrate-binding domain into the enzyme. We screened several carbohydrate-binding modules (CBMs) and linking peptides. We selected the most promising candidates to construct, clone, and express a fusion keratinase enzyme KerZ1/CBM-L8 with a feather hydrolysis efficiency of 7.8 × 10–8 g/U. Compared with those of KerZ1, KerZ1/CBM-L8 has a feather hydrolysis efficiency that is 2.71 times higher, a kcat value that is 179% higher, which translates to higher catalytic efficiency, and Km and binding constant (K) values that are lower, which indicate a higher KerZ1/CBM-L8–keratin binding affinity. Moreover, the number of binding sites to the substrate (N), determined using isothermal titration calorimetry, was 24.1 times higher than that of KerZ1. Thus, the fusion of the substrate-binding domain improved the binding ability of the keratinase enzyme to the hydrophobic substrate, which improved its feather hydrolysis efficiency. Therefore, using the fusion keratinase would significantly improve the recovery of feather waste.