Screening from the genome databases:: Novel epoxide hydrolase from Caulobacter crescentus

The genome sequences from several microbes have led to the discovery of numerous open reading frames of unknown functionality. The putative bacterial epoxide hydrolase (EH) genes selected from the genome databases were examined for their activities toward various epoxides. Among the nine open reading frames (ORFs) from four microbial species, the ORF from Caulobacter crescentus showed an epoxide hydrolase activity. The kinetic resolution, using C. crescentus EH (CCEH) of the aryl epoxides such as styrene oxide, could be performed more efficiently than short aliphatic epoxides. The resolution of racemic indene oxide, which could previously be resolved only by fungal epoxide hydrolases, was effectively accomplished by CCEH.