Biochemical characterization of a novel hyperthermophilic α-l-rhamnosidase from Thermotoga petrophila and its application in production of icaritin from epimedin C with a thermostable β-glucosidase

Epimedin C, a major flavonoid extracted from Herba Epimedii, is a precursor of minor flavonoid icaritin that is a desired drug candidate with remarkable anti-cancer activities. For enhancing the biotransformation efficiency of icaritin, a novel α-l-rhamnosidase gene was cloned from hyperthermophiles Thermotoga petrophila DSM 13995. TpeRha displayed optimal activity at a pH of 4.5 and a temperature of 90 °C. The Km and Kcat of TpeRha for...