Engineering the thermostability of d-lyxose isomerase from Caldanaerobius polysaccharolyticus via multiple computer-aided rational design for efficient synthesis of d-mannose

d-Mannose is an attractive functional sugar that exhibits many physiological benefits on human health. The demand for low-calorie sugars and sweeteners in foods are increasingly available on the market. Some sugar isomerases, such as d-lyxose isomerase (d-LIase), can achieve an isomerization reaction between d-mannose and d-fructose. However, the weak thermostability of d-LIase limits its efficient conversion from d-fructose to d-mannose. Nonetheless, few studies are available that have investigated the molecular modification of d-LIase to improve its thermal stability. In this study, computer-aided tools including FireProt, PROSS, and Consensus Finder were employed to jointly design d-LIase mutants with improved thermostability for the first time. Finally, the obtained five-point mutant M5 (N21G/E78P/V58Y/C119Y/K170P) showed high thermal stability and catalytic activity. The half-life of M5 at 65 °C was 10.22 fold, and the catalytic efficiency towards 600 g/L of d-fructose was 2.6 times to that of the wild type enzyme, respectively. Molecular dynamics simulation and intramolecular forces analysis revealed a thermostability mechanism of highly rigidity conformation, newly formed hydrogen bonds and π-cation interaction between and within protein domains, and redistributed surface electrostatic charges for the mutant M5. This research provided a promising d-LIase mutant for the industrial production of d-mannose from d-fructose.