BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Cutinases are lipolytic enzymes capable of hydrolyzing the substrate cutin.

Cutinases are known from various fungi (P. E. Kolattukudy in"Lipases", Ed. B. Borg- ström and H. L. Brockman, Elsevier 1984,471-504). The amino acid sequence and the crystal structure of a cutinase of Fusarium solani pisi have been described (S.

Longhi et al., Journal of Molecular Biology, 268 (4), 779-799 (1997)). The amino acid sequence of a cutinase from Humicola insolens has also been published (US 5,827,719).

A number of variants of the cutinase of Fusarium solani pisi have been pub- lished: WO 94/14963; WO 94/14964; Appl. Environm. Microbiol. 64,2794-2799, 1998; Proteins: Structure, Function and Genetics 26,442-458,1996 ; J. of Computa- tional Chemistry 17,1783-1803,1996; Protein Engineering 6,157-165,1993; Pro- teins: Structure, Function, and Genetics 33,253-264,1998; J. of Biotechnology 66, 11-26,1998; Biochemistry 35,398-410,1996.

Fungal cutinases may be used in the enzymatic hydrolysis of cyclic oligomers of poly (ethylene terephthalate), e. g. in the finishing of yarn or fabric from poly (ethylene terephthalate) fibers (WO 97/27237). However, it is desirable to improve the thermo- stability of known fungal cutinases to allow a higher process temperature.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The inventors have found certain variants of fungal cutinases having im- proved thermostability.

Accordingly, the invention provides a variant of a parent fungal cutinase comprising substitution of one or more amino acid residues which is located: a) within 17 A from the location of the N-terminal amino acid (as calcu- lated from amino acid residues in a crystal structure), and/or b) within 20 positions from the N-terminal amino acid.

The invention also provides a DNA sequence encoding the variant, an ex- pression vector comprising the DNA sequence, a transformed host cell harboring the DNA sequence or the expression vector, a method of producing the variant, proc- esses using the variant and a detergent composition comprising the variant.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 gives the coordinates for the 3D structure of the cutinase of H. inso- lens.

Fig. 2 is a computer model showing the three-dimensional structures of the cutinases from F. solani pisi (left) and H. insolens (right). Different colors have been used to identify the N-terminal amino acid and zones of 12 A and 17 A diameter around this.

Figs. 3-6 illustrate the hydrolysis of c3ET. Details are given in the Examples.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Fungal cutinase The parent cutinase is a fungal cutinase, such as a filamentous fungal cuti- nase, e. g. native to a strain of Humicola or Fusarium, specifically H. insolens or F. solani pisi, more specifically H. insolens strain DSM 1800.

The amino acid sequence of the cutinase of H. insolens strain DSM 1800 and the DNA sequence encoding it are shown as SEQ ID NO: 2 and SEQ ID NO: 1 of US 5,827,719. The numbering system used herein for the H. insolens cutinase is based on the mature peptide, as shown in said SEQ ID NO: 2.

The amino acid sequence of the cutinase of F. solani pisi is shown as the mature peptide in Fig. 1D of WO 94/14964. The numbering system used herein for

the F. solani pisi cutinase is that used in WO 94/14964; it inclues the pro- sequence shown in said Fig. 1 D; thus, the mature cutinase is at positions 16-214.

The parent cutinase may have an amino acid sequence which is at least 50 % (particularly at least 70 % or at least 80 %) homologous to the cutinase of H. inso- lens strain DSM 1800. The parent cutinase may particularly be one that can be aligned with the cutinase of H. insolens strain DSM 1800.

Nomenclature for amino acids and alterations The specification and claims refer to amino acids by their one-letter codes. A particular amino acid in a sequence is identified by its one-letter code and its posi- tion, e. g. Q1 indicates Gln (glutamine at position 1, i. e. at the N-terminal.

The nomenclature used herein for defining substitutions is basically as de- scribed in WO 92/05249. Thus, R51 P indicates substitution of R (Arg) at position 51 with P (Pro).

Homology and alignment For purposes of the present invention, the degree of homology may be suita- bly determined according to the method described in Needleman, S. B. and Wunsch, C. D., (1970), Journal of Molecular Biology, 48,443-45, with the following settings for polypeptide sequence comparison: GAP creation penalty of 3.0 and GAP extension penalty of 0.1. The determination may be done by means of a computer program known such as GAP provided in the GCG program package (Program Manual for the Wisconsin Package, Version 8, August 1994, Genetics Computer Group, 575 Science Drive, Madison, Wisconsin, USA 53711).

Two given sequences can be aligned according to the method described in Needleman (supra) using the same parameters. This may be done by means of the GAP program (supra).

Three-dimensional structure of cutinase The structure of the cutinase of H. insolens was solved in accordance with the principe for X-ray crystallographic methods as given, for example, in X-Ray Structure Determination, Stout, G. K. and Jensen, L. H., John Wiley & Sons, Inc. NY, 1989. The structural coordinates for the solved crystal structure at 2.2 A solution

using the isomorphous replacement method are given in Fig. 1 in standard PDB format (Protein Data Bank, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Brookhaven, CT).

The structure of the cutinase of F. solani pisi is described in Martinez et al.

(1992) Nature 356,615-618. The 3D structures of the cutinases of F. solani pisi and H. insolens are compared as a computer model in Fig. 2.

It should be noted that the overall three-dimensional structures of fungal cu- tinases are very similar and have been shown by X-ray crystallography to be highly homologous. The similarities between the cutinases from F. solani pisi and H. inso- lens are clearly apparent from the computer model in Fig. 2. Therefore, modifications of the type indicated for one fungal cutinase will also be functional for other fungal cutinases.

Substitution near N-terminal The variant of the invention has one or more amino acid substitutions in the vicinity of the N-terminal. The substitution is within a distance of 17 A (e. g. within 12 A) and/or within 20 positions (e. g. within 15 positions) of the N-terminal. The dis- tance from the N-terminal is to be calculated between the Ca atom of the amino ac- ids, and is calculated from an amino acid in a crystal structure (i. e. visible in the X- ray structure).

In the cutinase of H. insolens strain DSM 1800, the two N-terminal amino ac- ids (Q1 and L2. i. e. Gln and Leu at positions 1 and 2) are not visible in the X-ray structure, so the distance is to be calculated from amino acid G3. Amino acids within 17 A include positions 3-12,18,20-60,62-64,82,85-86,100-108,110-111,130- 132,174,176-182,184-185,188, and 192. Those within 12 A include positions 3-8, 22-27,30-47,53-59,102,177, and 180-181.

In the cutinase of F. solani pisi, the N-terminal amino acid G17 is visible in the X-ray structure. Amino acids within 17 A include positions 17-26,34-75,77-79, 101,115,117-119,147,191-197,199-200, and 203. Those within 12 A include posi- tions 17-22,38,40,45-58,60,65, and 70-72.

The variants of the invention have improved thermostability compared to the parent enzyme. The thermostability may be determined from the denaturation tem-

perature by DSC (differential scanning calorimetry), e. g. as described in an example, e. g. at pH 8.5 with a scan rate of 90 K/hr. The variants may have a denaturation temperature which is at least 5°C higher than the parent enzyme.

The total number of substitutions in the above regions is typically 1-10, e. g.

1-5 substitutions in the above regions. In addition, the cutinase variant of the inven- tion may optionally include other modifications of the parent enzyme, typically 10 or fewer, e. g. 5 or fewer alterations (substitutions, deletions or insertions) outside of the above regions. Thus, the total amino acid sequence of the variant typically 1-20, e. g.

1-10 alterations compared to the parent cutinase.

Solvent accessible surface One or more of the substitutions may be made at an exposed amino acid residue, i. e. an amino acid residue having a solvent accessible surface. This can be calculated by the"dssp"program (version October 1988) described in W. Kabsch and C. Sander, Biopolymers, 22 (1983) pp. 2577-2637.

In the cutinase of H. insolens strain DSM 1800, the following amino acids lie within 17 A of G3 at the N-terminal and have a solvent accessible surface greater than 0: 3-12,18,26-33,36-38,40-45,47-56,59-60,62-64,82,85-86,104-105 ,174, 176-179,181-182,192.

Specific substitutions The substitution near the N-terminal may specifically be one that increases the electrical charge, i. e. a substitution of a negatively charged amino acid with a neutral or positive charged amino acid or substitution of a neutral amino acid with a positively charged amino acid. Thus, a negative amino acid residue at a position cor- responding to position E6, E10, E30, E47 D63, E82 and/or E179 in the cutinase of Humicola insolens strain DSM 1800 may be substituted by a neutral or positive amino acid, e. g. R, K, Y, H, Q or N. Some specific substitutions are those corre- sponding to E6Q/N, E10Q/N, E47K/R or E179Q/N. Also, a neutral amino acid resi- due at a position corresponding to N7, S11, N44 or N52 in the H. insolens cutinase may be substituted by a positive amino acid (R, K or H).

Another example of a substitution near the N-terminal is substitution with a Pro residue, e. g. a substitution corresponding to A14P or R51 P in the cutinase of Humicola insolens strain DSM 1800.

Specific variants The following are some examples of variants in the H. insolens cutinase.

Corresponding variants may be made on the basis of other parent cutinases.

R51P E6N/Q+ L1381 A14P+ E47K E47K E179N/Q E6N/Q+ E47K+ R51 P A14P+ E47K+ E179N/Q E47K+ E179N/Q E47K+ D63N E6N/Q+ E10N/Q+ A14P+ E47K+ R51 P+ E179N/Q E6N/Q+ A14P+ E47K+ R51 P+ E179N/Q Q1P+ L2V+ S11C+ N15T+ F24Y+ L461+ E47K Use of cutinase variant The cutinase variant of the invention may be used, e. g., for the enzymatic hy- drolysis of cyclic oligomers of poly (ethylene terephthalate), such as cyclic tri (ethylene terephthalate), abbreviated as c3ET.

In particular, this may be used to remove such cyclic oligomers from polyester containing fabric or yarn by treating the fabric or yarn with the cutinase variant, optionally followed by rinsing the fabric or yarn with an aqueous solution having a pH in the range of from about pH 7 to about pH 11. The treatment of polyester is conveniently carried out above the glass transition temperature of c3ET (about 55°C) and below the glass transition temperature of polyester (about 70°C). Thus, the treatment may suitably be carried out at 50-80°C, e. g. at 60-75°C. The process may be carried out in analogy with WO 97/27237.

The cutinase variant may be used to treat polyester-containing textile. e. g.

PET (polymer of ethyleneglycol and terephthalic acid), P3GT (polymer of 1,3- propanediol and terephthalic acid) or a polyester/cotton blend. The treatment may pro- vide benefits to the polyester textile such as improved wear and comfort, increased water permeability, reduced antistatic behavior, improve handle and softness, changed rede- position characteristics and/or color clarification.

The cutinase variant may be used to improve the functional finish of a PET- containing yarn or fabric by a treatment with the cutinase variant, followed by a treatment with a finishing agent such as a softener, an anti-crease resin, an anti- static agent, an anti-soiling agent or agents to impair wrinkle-free, permanent press ior fire resistance effects. The treatment with the cutinase variant may increase the number of functional groups in the surface, and this can be used to attach the func- tional finish. Examples of finishing agents are described in"SENSHOKU SIAGEKAKO BENRAN"published 1998-10-15 by Nihon Seni Sentaa KK.

The cutinase variant of the invention is also useful in detergents, where it may be incorporated to improve the removal of fatty soiling, as described in WO 94/03578 and WO 94/14964. The addition of the cutinase variant to laundry detergent may reduce malodor from cloth which is accumulated during several wash/wear-cycles.

The cutinase variant may also be used for degradation and recycling of polyes- ter such as polycaprolactone (PCL), poly-ethyleneglycol-terephthalate (PET), polylactic acid, polybutylenesuccinate, and poly (hydroxybutiric acid)-co- (hydroxyvaleric acid), e. g. film and bottes, e. g. as described in JP-A 5-344897.

The cutinase variant may also be used for other known applications of li- pases and cutinases, for example, in the baking industry (e. g. as described in WO 94/04035 and EP 585988), in the papermaking industry (e. g. for pitch removal, see EP 374700), and in the leather, wool and related industries (e. g. for degreasing of animal hides, sheepskin or wool), and for other applications involving degreas- ing/defatting. It may be used in immobilized form in the fat and oil industry, as a cata- lyst in organic synthesis (e. g. esterification, transesterification or ester hydrolysis re- actions).

Dyeing polyester The invention provides a process for dyeing polyester fabric or yarn. In this process, the fabric or yarn is first treated with a cutinase, e. g. 12-48 hours at 50-70°C or 65-70°C, pH 7-10, followed by dyeing with dye, e. g. a reactive dye, a disperse dye or a cationic dye. The reactive dye may be one that reacts with OH or COOH groups, e. g. having the structure Chromophore-NHPh-S02CH2CH2OSOsNa. The dyeing may be con- ducted at 40-80°C, e. g. for 20-60 minutes.

The cutinase may be a thermostable cutinase having a thermal denaturation temperature, Td, at pH 8.5 which is at least 5° higher than the parent cutinase, e. g. 7-10° higher, e. g. a value of 65°C or higher. The measurement may be made by DSC as de- scribed in an Example of this specification.

Surfactant In the treatment of fabric or yarn, a conventional wetting agent and/or a dis- persing agent may be used to improve the contact with the enzyme. The wetting agent may be a nonionic surfactant, e. g. an ethoxylated fatty alcool. A very useful wetting agent is an ethoxylated and propoxylated fatty acid ester such as Berol 087 (product of Akzo Nobel, Sweden).

The dispersing agent may suitably be selected from nonionic, anionic, cati- onic, ampholytic or zwitterionic surfactants. More specifically, the dispersing agent may be selected from carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, alkyl aryl sul- fonates, long-chai alcohol sulfates (primary and secondary alkyl sulfates), sul- fonated olefins, sulfate monoglycerides, sulfate ethers, sulfosuccinates, sul- fonated methyl ethers, alkane sulfonates, phosphate esters, alkyl isothionates, acyl- sarcosides, alkyltaurides, fluorosurfactants, fatty alcohol and alkylphenol conden- sates, fatty acid condensates, condensates of ethylene oxide with an amine, con- densates of ethylene oxide with an amide, sucrose esters, sorbitan esters, alky- loamides, fatty amine oxides, ethoxylated monoamines, ethoxylated diamines, alco- hol ethoxylate and mixtures thereof. A very useful dispersing agent is an alcohol ethoxylate such as Berol 08 (product of Akzo Nobel, Sweden).

Methods for preparing cutinase variants The cutinase variant of the invention can be prepared by methods known in the art, e. g. as described in WO 94/14963 or WO 94/14964 (Unilever). The following describes methods for the cloning of cutinase-encoding DNA sequences, followed by methods for generating mutations at specific sites within the cutinase- encoding sequence.

Cloning a DNA sequence encoding a cutinase The DNA sequence encoding a parent cutinase may be isolated from any cell or microorganism producing the cutinase in question, using various methods well known in the art. First, a genomic DNA and/or cDNA library should be con- structed using chromosomal DNA or messenger RNA from the organism that pro- duces the cutinase to be studied. Then, if the amino acid sequence of the cutinase is known, labeled oligonucleotide probes may be synthesized and used to identify cuti- nase-encoding clones from a genomic library prepared from the organism in ques- tion. Alternatively, a labeled oligonucleotide probe containing sequences homolo- gous to another known cutinase gene could be used as a probe to identify cutinase- encoding clones, using hybridization and washing conditions of lower stringency.

Yet another method for identifying cutinase-encoding clones would involve inserting fragments of genomic DNA into an expression vector, such as a plasmid, transforming cutinase-negative bacteria with the resulting genomic DNA library, and then plating the transformed bacteria onto agar containing a substrate for cutinase (i. e. maltose), thereby allowing clones expressing the cutinase to be identified.

Alternatively, the DNA sequence encoding the enzyme may be prepared synthetically by established standard methods, e. g. the phosphoroamidite method described S. L. Beaucage and M. H. Caruthers, (1981), Tetrahedron Letters 22, p.

1859-1869, or the method described by Matthes et al., (1984), EMBO J. 3, p. 801- 805. In the phosphoroamidite method, oligonucleotides are synthesized, e. g. in an automatic DNA synthesizer, purified, annealed, ligated and cloned in appropriate vectors.

Finally, the DNA sequence may be of mixed genomic and synthetic origin, mixed synthetic and cDNA origin or mixed genomic and cDNA origin, prepared by

ligating fragments of synthetic, genomic or cDNA origin (as appropriate, the frag- ments corresponding to various parts of the entire DNA sequence), in accordance with standard techniques. The DNA sequence may also be prepared by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using specific primers, for instance as described in US 4,683,202 or R. K. Saiki et al., (1988), Science 239,1988, pp. 487-491.

Site-directed mutagenesis Once a cutinase-encoding DNA sequence has been isolated, and desirable sites for mutation identified, mutations may be introduced using synthetic oligonu- cleotides. These oligonucleotides contain nucleotide sequences flanking the desired mutation sites. In a specific method, a single-stranded gap of DNA, the cutinase- encoding sequence, is created in a vector carrying the cutinase gene. Then the syn- thetic nucleotide, bearing the desired mutation, is annealed to a homologous portion of the single-stranded DNA. The remaining gap is then filled in with DNA polymerase I (Klenow fragment) and the construct is ligated using T4 ligase. A specific example of this method is described in Morinaga et al., (1984), Biotechnology 2, p. 646-639.

US 4,760,025 discloses the introduction of oligonucleotides encoding multiple muta- tions by performing minor alterations of the cassette. However, an even greater vari- ety of mutations can be introduced at any one time by the Morinaga method, be- cause a multitude of oligonucleotides, of various lengths, can be introduced.

Another method for introducing mutations into cutinase-encoding DNA se- quences is described in Nelson and Long, (1989), Analytical Biochemistry 180, p.

147-151. It involves the 3-step generation of a PCR fragment containing the desired mutation introduced by using a chemically synthesized DNA strand as one of the primers in the PCR reactions. From the PCR-generated fragment, a DNA fragment carrying the mutation may be isolated by cleavage with restriction endonucleases and reinserted into an expression plasmid.

Expression of cutinase variants According to the invention, a DNA sequence encoding the variant produced by methods described above, or by any alternative methods known in the art, can be expressed, in enzyme form, using an expression vector which typically includes con-

trol sequences encoding a promoter, operator, ribosome binding site, translation initiation signal, and, optionally, a repressor gene or various activator genes.

Expression vector The recombinant expression vector carrying the DNA sequence encoding a cutinase variant of the invention may be any vector which may conveniently be sub- jected to recombinant DNA procedures, and the choice of vector will often depend on the host cell into which it is to be introduced. The vector may be one which, when introduced into a host cell, is integrated into the host cell genome and replicated to- gether with the chromosome (s) into which it has been integrated. Examples of suit- able expression vectors include pMT838.

Promoter In the vector, the DNA sequence should be operably connected to a suitable promoter sequence. The promoter may be any DNA sequence which shows tran- scriptional activity in the host cell of choice and may be derived from genes encoding proteins either homologous or heterologous to the host cell.

Examples of suitable promoters for directing the transcription of the DNA se- quence encoding a cutinase variant of the invention, especially in a bacteria host, are the promoter of the lac operon of E. coli, the Streptomyces coelicolor agarase gene dagA promoters, the promoters of the Bacillus licheniformis a-amylase gene (amyL), the promoters of the Bacillus stearothermophilus maltogenic amylase gene (mamy", the promoters of the Bacillus amyloliquefaciens a-amylase (amyQ), the promoters of the Bacillus subtilis xylA and xylB genes etc. For transcription in a fun- gal host, examples of useful promoters are those derived from the gene encoding A. oryzae TAKA amylase, the TPI (triose phosphate isomerase) promoter from S. cere- visiae (Alber et al. (1982), J. Mol. Appl. Genet 1, p. 419-434, Rhizomucor miehei as- partic proteinase, A. niger neutral a-amylase, A. niger acid stable a-amylase, A. ni- ger glucoamylase, Rhizomucor miehei lipase, A. oryzae alkaline protease, A. oryzae triose phosphate isomerase or A. nidulans acetamidase.

Expression vector The expression vector of the invention may also comprise a suitable tran- scription terminator and, in eukaryotes, polyadenylation sequences operably con- nected to the DNA sequence encoding the a-amylase variant of the invention. Ter- mination and polyadenylation sequences may suitably be derived from the same sources as the promoter.

The vector may further comprise a DNA sequence enabling the vector to replicate in the host cell in question. Examples of such sequences are the origins of replication of plasmids pUC19, pACYC177, pUB110, pE194, pAMB1 and pIJ702.

The vector may also comprise a selectable marker, e. g. a gene the product of which complements a defect in the host cell, such as the dal genes from B. subtilis or B. licheniformis, or one which confers antibiotic resistance such as ampicillin, kanamycin, chloramphenicol or tetracyclin resistance. Furthermore, the vector may comprise Aspergillus selection markers such as amdS, argB, niaD and sC, a marker giving rise to hygromycin resistance, or the selection may be accomplished by co- transformation, e. g. as described in WO 91/17243.

The procedures used to ligate the DNA construct of the invention encoding a cutinase variant, the promoter, terminator and other elements, respectively, and to insert them into suitable vectors containing the information necessary for replication, are well known to persons skilled in the art (cf., for instance, Sambrook et al., Mo- lecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, 2nd Ed., Cold Spring Harbor, 1989).

Host Cells The cell of the invention, either comprising a DNA construct or an expression vector of the invention as defined above, is advantageously used as a host cell in the recombinant production of a cutinase variant of the invention. The cell may be transformed with the DNA construct of the invention encoding the variant, conveni- ently by integrating the DNA construct (in one or more copies) in the host chromo- some. This integration is generally considered to be an advantage as the DNA se- quence is more likely to be stably maintained in the cell. Integration of the DNA con- structs into the host chromosome may be performed according to conventional

methods, e. g. by homologous or heterologous recombination. Alterna- tively, the cell may be transformed with an expression vector as described above in connection with the different types of host cells.

The cell of the invention may be a cell of a higher organism such as a mam- mal or an insect, but is preferably a microbial cell, e. g. a bacterial or a fungal (includ- ing yeast) cell.

Examples of suitable bacteria are Gram positive bacteria such as Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus lentus, Bacillus brevis, Bacillus stearothermo- philus, Bacillus alkalophilus, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus coagulans, Bacillus circulans, Bacillus lautus, Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus thuringiensis, or Streptomy- ces lividans or Streptomyces murinus, or gramnegative bacteria such as E. coli. The transformation of the bacteria may, for instance, be effected by protoplast transfor- mation or by using competent cells in a manner known per se.

The yeast organism may favorably be selected from a species of Saccharo- myces or Schizosaccharomyces, e. g. Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The host cell may also be a filamentous fungus e. g. a strain belonging to a species of Aspergillus, most preferably Aspergillus oryzae or Aspergillus niger, or a strain of Fusarium, such as a strain of Fusarium oxysporium, Fusarium graminearum (in the perfect state named Gribberella zeae, previously Sphaeria zeae, synonym with Gibberella roseum and Gibberella roseum f. sp. cerealis), or Fusarium sul- phureum (in the prefect state named Gibberella puricaris, synonym with Fusarium trichothecioides, Fusarium bactridioides, Fusarium sambucium, Fusarium roseum, and Fusarium roseum var. graminearum), Fusarium cerealis (synonym with Fusa- rium crokkwellnse), or Fusarium venenatum.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the host cell is a protease defi- cient or protease minus strain.

This may for instance be the protease deficient strain Aspergillus oryzae JaL 125 having the alkaline protease gene named"alp"deleted. This strain is described in WO 97/35956 (Novo Nordisk).

Filamentous fungi cells may be transformed by a process involving proto- plast formation and transformation of the protoplasts followed by regeneration of the cell wall in a manner known per se. The use of Aspergillus as a host micro-organism

is described in EP 238 023 (Novo Nordisk A/S), the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

Production of cutinase variant by cultivation of transformant The invention relates, inter alia, to a method of producing a cutinase variant of the invention, which method comprises cultivating a host cell under conditions conducive to the production of the variant and recovering the variant from the cells and/or culture medium.

The medium used to cultivate the cells may be any conventional medium suitable for growing the host cell in question and obtaining expression of the cuti- nase variant of the invention. Suitable media are available from commercial suppli- ers or may be prepared according to published recipes (e. g. as described in cata- logues of the American Type Culture Collection).

The cutinase variant secreted from the host cells may conveniently be re- covered from the culture medium by well-known procedures, including separating the cells from the medium by centrifugation or filtration, and precipitating proteinaceous components of the medium by means of a salt such as ammonium sulphate, followed by the use of chromatographic procedures such as ion exchange chromatography, affinity chromatography, or the like.

Expression of variant in plants The present invention also relates to a transgenic plant, plant part or plant cell which has been transformed with a DNA sequence encoding the variant of the invention so as to express and produce this enzyme in recoverable quantities. The enzyme may be recovered from the plant or plant part. Alternatively, the plant or plant part containing the recombinant enzyme may be used as such.

The transgenic plant can be dicotyledonous or monocotyledonous, for short a dicot or a monocot. Examples of monocot plants are grasses, such as meadow grass (blue grass, Poa), forage grass such as festuca, lolium, temperate grass, such as Agrostis, and cereals, e. g. wheat, oats, rye, barley, rice, sorghum and maize (corn).

Examples of dicot plants are tobacco, legumes, such as lupins, potato, sugar beet, pea, bean and soybean, and cruciferous (family Brassicaceae), such as cauliflower, oil seed rape and the closely related model or- ganism Arabidopsis thaliana.

Examples of plant parts are stem, callus, leaves, root, fruits, seeds, and tu- bers. In the present context, also specific plant tissues, such as chloroplast, apoplast, mitochondria, vacuole, peroxisomes and cytoplasm are considered to be a plant part. Furthermore, any plant cell, whatever the tissue origin, is considered to be a plant part.

Also included within the scope of the invention are the progeny of such plants, plant parts and plant cells.

The transgenic plant or plant cell expressing the variant of the invention may be constructed in accordance with methods known in the art. In short the plant or plant cell is constructed by incorporating one or more expression constructs encod- ing the enzyme of the invention into the plant host genome and propagating the re- sulting modified plant or plant cell into a transgenic plant or plant cell.

Conveniently, the expression construct is a DNA construct which comprises a gene encoding the enzyme of the invention in operable association with appropri- ate regulatory sequences required for expression of the gene in the plant or plant part of choice. Furthermore, the expression construct may comprise a selectable marker useful for identifying host cells into which the expression construct has been integrated and DNA sequences necessary for introduction of the construct into the plant in question (the latter depends on the DNA introduction method to be used).

The choice of regulatory sequences, such as promoter and terminator se- quences and optionally signal or transit sequences is determined, eg on the basis of when, where and how the enzyme is desired to be expressed. For instance, the ex- pression of the gene encoding the enzyme of the invention may be constitutive or inducible, or may be developmental, stage or tissue specific, and the gene product may be targeted to a specific tissue or plant part such as seeds or leaves. Regula- tory sequences are eg described by Tague et al, Plant, Phys., 86,506,1988.

For constitutive expression the 35S-CaMV promoter may be used (Franck et al., 1980. Cell 21: 285-294). Organ-specific promoters may eg be a promoter from

storage sink tissues such as seeds, potato tubers, and fruits (Edwards & Coruzzi, 1990. Annu. Rev. Genet. 24: 275-303), or from metabolic sink tissues such as meristems (Ito et al., 1994. Plant Mol. Biol. 24: 863-878), a seed specific promoter such as the glutelin, prolamin, globulin or albumin promoter from rice (Wu et al., Plant and Cell Physiology Vol. 39, No. 8 pp. 885-889 (1998)), a Vicia faba promoter from the legumin B4 and the unknown seed protein gene from Vicia faba described by Conrad U. et al, Journal of Plant Physiology Vol. 152, No. 6 pp. 708-711 (1998), a promotter from a seed oil body protein (Chen et al., Plant and cell physiology vol. 39, No. 9 pp. 935-941 (1998), the storage protein napA promoter from Brassica napus, or any other seed specific promoter known in the art, eg as described in WO 91/14772. Furthermore, the promoter may be a leaf specific promoter such as the rbcs promoter from rice or tomato (Kyozuka et al., Plant Physiology Vol. 102, No. 3 pp. 991-1000 (1993), the chlorella virus adenine methyltransferase gene promoter (Mitra, A. and Higgins, DW, Plant Molecular Biology Vol. 26, No. 1 pp. 85-93 (1994), or the aldP gene promoter from rice (Kagaya et al., Molecular and General Genetics Vol. 248, No. 6 pp. 668-674 (1995), or a wound inducible promoter such as the po- tato pin2 promoter (Xu et al, Plant Molecular Biology Vol. 22, No. 4 pp. 573-588 (1993).

A promoter enhancer element may be used to achieve higher expression of the enzyme in the plant. For instance, the promoter enhancer element may be an in- tron which is placed between the promoter and the nucleotide sequence encoding the enzyme. For instance, Xu et al. op cit disclose the use of the first intron of the rice actin 1 gene to enhance expression.

The selectable marker gene and any other parts of the expression construct may be chosen from those available in the art.

The DNA construct is incorporated into the plant genome according to con- ventional techniques known in the art, including Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, virus-mediated transformation, micro injection, particle bombardment, biolistic transformation, and electroporation (Gasser et al, Science, 244,1293; Potrykus, Bio/Techn. 8,535,1990; Shimamoto et al, Nature, 338,274,1989).

Presently, Agrobacterium tumefaciens mediated gene transfer is the method of choice for generating transgenic dicots (for review Hooykas & Schilperoort, 1992.

Plant Mol. Biol. 19: 15-38), however it can also be used for transforming monocots, although other transformation methods are generally preferred for these plants. Presently, the method of choice for generating transgenic monocots is particle bombardment (microscopic gold or tungsten particles coated with the trans- forming DNA) of embryonic calli or developing embryos (Christou, 1992. Plant J. 2: 275-281; Shimamoto, 1994. Curr. Opin. Biotechnol. 5: 158-162; Vasil et al., 1992.

Bio/Technology 10: 667-674). An alternative method for transformation of monocots is based on protoplast transformation as described by Omirulleh S, et al., Plant Mo- lecular biology Vol. 21, No. 3 pp. 415-428 (1993).

Following transformation, the transformants having incorporated the expres- sion construct are selected and regenerated into whole plants according to methods well-known in the art.

MATERIALS AND METHODS Plasmids PJS0026 This is a S. cerevisiae expression plasmid described in WO 97/07205 and in J. S. Okkels, (1996)"A URA3-promoter deletion in a pYES vector increases the ex- pression level of a fungal lipase in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Recombinant DNA Biotechnology III: The Integration of Biological and Engineering Sciences, vol. 782 of the Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences). pFuku83 This is a yeast and E. coli shuttle vector for expression of the H. insolens cu- tinase under the control of a TPI promoter, constructed from pJS0026.

Substrate BETEB Terephthalic acid bis (2-hydroxyethyl) ester dibenzoate is herein abbreviated as BETEB (benzoyl-ethylene-terephthalic-ethelene-benzoate). It was prepared from terephthalic acid bis (2-hydroxyethyl) ester and benzoic acid.

Lipase activity (LU) A substrate for lipase is prepared by emulsifying tributyrin (glycerin tribu- tyrate) using gum Arabic as emulsifier. The hydrolysis of tributyrin at 30 °C at pH 7 is followed in a pH-stat titration experiment. One unit of lipase activity (1 LU) equals the amount of enzyme capable of releasing 1 pmol butyric acid/min at the standard conditions.

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) Sample and reference solutions are carefully degassed immediately prior to loading of samples into the calorimeter (reference: buffer without enzyme). Sample and reference solutions (approx. 0.5 mt) are thermally pre-equillibrated for 20 min- utes at 5°C. The DSC scan is performed from 5 C to 95 C at a scan rate of approx.

90 K/hr. Denaturation temperatures are determined at an accuracy of approx. +/-1 C. A VP-DSC from MicroCal Inc. is suitable for the experiments.

Methods PCR conditions step 1: 94° C, 120 sec. step 2: 94° C, 60 sec step 3: 50° C, 60 sec step 4: 72° C, 150 sec.

Go to step 2,35 cycles step 5: 72° C, 480 sec.

Step 6: 4° C, for ever EXAMPLES Example 1: Preparation of cutinase variants A DNA sequence encoding H. insolens cutinase was obtained as described in US 5,827,719 (Novo Nordisk) and was found to have the DNA sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 therein.

Variants were prepared by localized random mutagenesis and selection of positive clones by incubation at 60°C for 1 day on BETEB plates.

The BETEB plates contained 200 ml/I of 500 mM glycine buffer (pH 8.5), 1.25 g/l of BETEB (dissolve in hot ethanol) and 20 g/l of agar.

Three positive variants were isolated, and their amino acid sequence was determined. They were found to have the following modifications, compared to the parent H. insolens cutinase: A14P + E47K E47K E179Q Example 2: Site directed mutation A variant of the H. insolens cutinase having the substitutions E6Q+ E47K+ R51 P was prepared as follows: A pair of PCR primers were designed so as to introduce amino acid substitu- tions, making use of the existed restriction enzyme sites nearby, as follows (an asterisk indicates an introduced mutation): Upper primer: E6Q F cgg cag ctq gga gcc atc c*ag aac Pou 11 Lower primer: E47K, R51 P cgc cct a tcc aga tgt tcg* gga tgt ggg act t*aa ggc BamH I PCR was run using these primers and pFukuNL83 as a template under the PCR condition described above.

The obtained PCR fragment was purified by Clontech Spincolumn and di- gested with Pvu II and BamH I.

The resultant fragment was gel-purified and ligated to pFukuNL83 which had been digested with the same restriction enzyme sites.

Example 3: Thermostability of cutinase variants Variants The thermostability was tested as described below for the H. insolens cuti- nase and the following variants thereof: A14P+ E47K E47K E179Q E6Q+ E47K+ R51 P A14P+ E47K+ E179Q E6Q+ A14P+ E47K+ R51 P+ E179Q E6Q+ E10Q+ A14P+ E47K+ R51 P+ E179Q Differential Scanninq Calorimetry (DSC) Thermostability of cutinase variants was investigated by means of DSC at pH 4.5 (50 mM acetate buffer) and pH 8.5 (50mM glycyl-glycine buffer). The thermal denaturation temperature, Td, was taken as the top of denaturation peak (major en- dothermic peak) in thermograms (Cp vs. T) obtained after heating of enzyme solu- tions at a constant programmed heating rate.

The parent cutinase was found to have Td of 63°C at pH 8.5. Six of the above variants were found to have Td of 70-73°C, i. e. an improvement of 7-10°.

The parent cutinase was found to have Td of 61°C at pH 4.5. Five of the above variants were found to have Td of 64-66°C, i. e. an improvement of 3-5°.

Hvdrolvsis of BETEB The thermostability of the H. insolens cutinase and two of the above variants was measured by hydrolysis of BETEB at elevated temperature. For each cutinase, the following mixture was incubated for 17 hours at various temperatures in the range 55-70°C: 0.1 ml 0.5 M glycyl-glycine buffer (pH 8.5) 0.1 ml 0.5 % BETEB dissolve in ethanol 0.1 ml enzyme solution (approx. 25 LU/ml) 0.7 mi Milli Q water The degree of hydrolysis was measured after the incubation. The results are shown in the table below. Variant Variant Parent 27 LU/mi 25 LU/ml 24 LU/ml 55°C 99%72%% 60°C 83%33%% 65°C 66% 13% 7%

These results clearly show that the variants have improved thermostability compared to the parent cutinase.

Hvdrolvsis of BETEB The thermostability of the H. insolens cutinase and three of the above vari- ants was measured by hydrolysis of BETEB at 60°C for 2 hours. The hydrolysis was carried out at the above conditions, except that the temperature was fixed at 60°C and the cutinase dosage was varied. The results below are shown in the table be- low. LU/mi Variant Variant Variant Parent 0 0% 0% 0% 0% 10 97% 99% 9% 6% %99%74%2098 %94%93%15%5098 %69%92%34%10088 300 41% 600 63 % 1200 82 % The results show a much faster hydrolysis at 60°C with the variants than with the parent cutinase.

Example 4: Hydrolysis of c3ET The H. insolens cutinase and five of the above variants were tested in hy- drolysis of c3ET at elevated temperature. For each cutinase, the following mixture was incubated for 2 hours at various temperatures.

0.115mg c3ET (0.1 ml of 2mM c3ET dissolve in HFIP was taken in reaction vessel. Solvent was removed under vacuum, then dried up at 70°C over night) 0.1 ml 0.5M glycyl-glycine buffer (pH8.5) 0.1ml enzyme solution (approx. 600LU/ml) 0.8mi Milli Q water After the incubation, 2ml of 1,1,1,3,3,3-Hexafluoro-2-propanol (HFIP) was added to each reaction mixture, then hydrolysis ratio was measured by HPLC. The results shown in Fig 3 clearly indicate that the variants have improved thermostabil- ity compared to the parent cutinase.

Example 5: Hydrolysis of c3ET on yarn The thermostability of the H. insolens cutinase five of the above variants was tested using polyester yarn containing c3ET as by product. The following substrate mixture was preincubated at 60 or 65°C: 0.1 g polyester yarn 0.2ml 0.5M glycyl-glycine buffer (pH8.5) 1.7ml Milli Q water After preincubation, 0.1ml enzyme solution (approx. 1000 LU/ml) was added to each reaction vessel and incubated for 17 hours. Then 2ml HFIP was added and left for 30 minutes to extract and hydrolyze c3ET sitting on the surface of the polyes- ter yarn; then the hydrolysis ratio was measured. The results are shown in Fig. 4.

It is seen that the variants are more effective than the parent cutinase for hydrolyzing c3ET on polyester yarn. One variant gives higher hydrolysis ratio at 65°C than at 60°C.

Example 6: Treatment of yarn with cutinase variant Time courses of c3ET hydrolysis on polyester yarn at different temperature or dosage were examined. Time course at different temperatures is shown in Fig 5. It is seen that the optimum temperature is 65°C. At 70°C there is still about half of the activity left. Time course with increased enzyme dosage is shown in Fig 6. The curves at dosage 275 and 550 LU/ml are seen to be the same, indicating that the hydrolysis ratio reached to plateau between dosage of 100 to 275 LU/ml. Presuma- bly 200LU/ml is enough.

Example 7: Dyeing polyester with reactive dye The following polyester fabrics were treated: woven fabric; ca. 2 x 2 cm, 34mg knitted fabric; ca. cm, 50mg Each fabric was soaked in 0.9 ml, 50 mM GlyGly (glycyl-glycine) buffer (pH 8.5) and 0.1 ml solution of a variant of the H. insolens cutinase (1100 LU/ml), and incubated at 65 or 70°C. After one day, another 0.1 ml enzyme solution was added, incubation was continued for two more days, the fabrics were then taken out and rinsed in water. A comparative experiment was made with the parent cutinase, and a blank was treated in the same manner without enzyme.

The fabrics were stirred in a mixture of 9 g 120 g Na2SO4 and 60 g Na2CO3 in 3 liter deionized water at 60 °C for 30 min, and then rinsed with running warm wa- ter. The reactive dye was Celmazol Brilliant Blue B (product of Mitsui Chemical Co., Japan), which has the structure Chromophore-NHPh-S02CH2CH2OSO3Na.

In all four experiments, (woven and knitted, 65 and 70°C), the fabrics were uniformly dyed.

Example 8: Solubilization of polyester fragments from knitted textile A 1x1 cm sample of knitted polyester textile (PET, polymer of ethyleneglycol and terephthalic acid) was incubated for 1 hour in 1 ml of buffer at pH 10,60°C with 0.01 mg of a variant of H. insolens cutinase. The reaction mixture was separated, and the release of terephthalic acid was found by measuring OD at 250 nm (ex- pressed as OD250/mg PET). comparative experiments were made without enzyme or with the parent cutinase. Results: Enzyme00250 invention Cutinase variant 4.5 Reference Parent cutinase 0.3 1 None 0.1

The results show that the variant is effective in solubilizing polyester.

In another experiment, the cutinase variant was tested for 2 hours at 65°C with and without the addition of a non-ionic surfactant (alcohol ethoxylate, product name Softanol 50), using various amounts of the variant from 0.5 to 200 LU/ml. The results showed more solubilization in the presence of non-ionic surfactant.

Example 9: Hydrolysis of polycaprolactone and polyester film About 0.1 g of polycaprolactone or polyester film were put in tubes. They were soaked in 5ml of 50mM GIyGly buffer (pH 8.5) with or without a variant of H. insolens cutinase (450 LU). They were incubated at 70°C for 5 hours. After the reac- tion we observed a thin layer of hydrolysate on the surface of the tubes with enzyme, both with polycaprolactone and with polyester film. On the other hand no change was observed in controls without enzyme. In the case of polycaprolactone there was 10% of weight loss. We see no weight change of polyester.

Example 10: cPET hydrolysis The performance of a cutinase variant was compared with the parent en- zyme (H. insolens cutinase). The trials were done as follows: An oligomer-stained swatch of (black) PET-fabric (app. 4cm x 13cm) is sub- jected to the enzyme-treatment at relatively low agitation in a so-called mini- tergitometer apparatus. The PET-fabric is mounted onto a cylindrical, perforated holder (radius ca. 2 cm, height ca 6 cm), that rotates around its axis, and with the oli- gomer stained side of the PET fabric facing the exterior of the cylinder.

The fabric is immersed in a 150ml glass-beaker containing 100mut of the treatment solution at a given temperature (here 65°C). After a given treatment time

(here 90minutes) the PET swatch is removed from the bath and rinsed in deionized water and air dried.

After conditioning the swatches are visually ranked (with respect to oligomer stain removal) on the side having the oligomer-staining. The rating being as follows: -2: Sample significantly worse than blank (no enzyme) -1: Sample slightly worse than blank (no enzyme) 0: Sample can not be distinguished from blank 1: Sample slightly improved vs blank 2: Sample significantly improved over blank Also, the swatches are read spectrofotometrically (apparatus: Hunterlab Re- flectometer) to quantify the color strength (K/S-value at 600nm).

The table below summarizes the test-conditions for a trial comparing the per- formance the enzymes under similar conditions: Temperature: 65°C Buffer/pH: 50 mM glycine buffer, pH 10.3 Treatment time (min) 90 Dosage of Enzyme (LU/g) 30000 Results from the trial are summarized below Enzyme Visual rating (avg.) K/S Difference @ 600 nm None 0 (defined) 2.33 Parent cutinase 0 2.38 Cutinase variant 1.5-2.0 2.89

From this set of experiments it thus appears that the parent enzyme provides no or only very limited effect at the given test conditions (probably because the tem- perature is too high for the enzyme to retain activity), while the cutinase variant pro- vides a substantial removal of the oligomer staining from the PET-fabric.

Example 11: cPET hydrolysis The pH and temperature profile of a variant of H. insolens cutinase was tested in a model disperse dyeing experiment. The trials were performed as follows: An oligomer-stained swatch of (black) PET-fabric is subjected to the condi- tions of a typical disperse dyeing sequence in a Werner Mathis Labomat. In over- view of the process, the swatch is added to a buffer solution, heated to 130°C, cooled down to the treatment temperature. Enzyme or buffer is added and then held at the desired temperature for 30 minutes. The solution is cooled down to room tem- perature and turbidity in the wash liquor is measured. The reduction in turbidity is a direct measure of the cutinase activity, corresponding to hydrolyzed cPET oligomers.

Detailed description of the experiment: A black PET (app. 4cm x 13cm) swatch is added 140 ml 100 mM Britton- Robinson buffer containing 0.2 g/l Lutensol AT11 (BASF) and loaded in the Labomat (32 rotation per minute).

The Labomat is heated to 130°C at a gradient of 9°C/minute, and held for 10 minutes.

The beakers are cooled to run temperature (according to table below) at a gradient of 9°C/minute, and held for 1 minute.

10 mL enzyme solution (100 LU/ml of the variant) or buffer solution (0 LU/ml) at appropriate pH is injected to the beakers.

The Labomat is re-heated to temperature at a gradient of 2°C/minute, and held for 30 minutes.

The swatches are removed, and the wash liquor is cooled down to room temperature.

Turbidity of the wash liquors are measured.

Evaluation: Turbidity is measured on Hach 18900 Ratio Turbidimeter (stan- dardized with 1.8,18, and 180 NTU Turbidity Standards). Enzyme performance is calculated relative to a blank as the difference between turbidity of blank liquor (no enzyme) and turbidity of enzyme treated liquor.

The relative performance (reduction in turbidity) of the cutinase variant is calculated, and the results are shown in the following table. When a negative num- ber is obtained, then the result is given as"negative". A negative number is assumed to be an artifact, caused by the variation of the set up. Temperature pH 7 pH 8 pH 9 pH 10 60°C 39 57 37 14 65°C 39 16 60 30 70°C 25 12 54 33 75°C 22 50 114 58 85°C negative negative 15 negative

The results show that the cutinase variant is active over a broad pH and temperature range, with optimum oligomer removal in the current set up around pH 9 and 75°C. Inactivation seems to occur at or above 85°C.

Example 12: cPET hydrolysis The effect of treatment time was investigated for a variant of H. insolens cu- tinase in a model disperse dyeing experiment. The trials were performed as follows: An oligomer-stained swatch of (black) PET-fabric is subjected to the condi- tions of a typical disperse dyeing sequence in a Werner Mathis Labomat. In over- view of the process, the swatch is added to a buffer solution, heated to 130°C, cooled down to the treatment temperature. Enzyme or buffer (100 mM Britton- Robinson pH 9) is added, and then held at 75°C for 0-40 minutes. The solution is cooled down to room temperature and turbidity in the wash liquor is measured. The reduction in turbidity is a direct measure of the cutinase activity, corresponding to hydrolyzed cPET oligomers.

Detailed description of the experiment: A black PET (app. 4cm x 13cm) swatch is added to 140 ml 100 mM Britton- Robinson buffer containing 0.2 g/t Lutensol AT11 (BASF) and loaded in the Labomat (32 rotation per minute).

The Labomat is heated to 130°C at a gradient of 9°C/minute, and the temperature is held for 10 minutes.

The beakers are cooled to 75°C at a gradient of 9°C/minute, and held for 1 minute.

10 mL enzyme solution (100 LU/ml of variant) or 100 mM Britton-Robinson buffer pH 9.0 (0 LU/ml) is injected into the beakers.

The Labomat is re-heated to 75°C at a gradient of 2°C/minute, and held for the appropriate number of minutes (0-40 minutes, see table below).

The swatches are removed, and the wash liquor is cooled down to room temperature.

Turbidity of the wash liquors are measured.

Evaluation: Turbidity is measured on Hach 18900 Ratio Turbidimeter (stan- dardized with 1.8,18, and 180 NTU Turbidity Standards). Enzyme performance is calculated relative to a blank at time equal to zero: Turbidity of blank liquor at time zero (no enzyme) subtracted turbidity of enzyme treated liquor (at a given time).

The relative performance (reduction in turbidity) of the cutinase variant was calculated, and the results are shown in the following table. Time (minutes) Relative perform- ance (Reduction in turbidity) 0 0 5 42 10 48 15 62 20 69 25 85 30 72 40 78 The results show that the effect of the enzyme is increased over time. At the current enzyme dose and oligomer concentration, it seems to level off above approx.

20 minutes.

Example 13: Fiber modification The effect on wetting characteristics of a disperse dyed polyester fabric was investigated by treating the fabric with a variant of H. insolens cutinase prior to dye-

ing. The experiment therefore consisted of two phases, the actual fiber modification and the disperse dyeing pro-cedure.

Phase 1-Fiber Modification: Equipment: Atlas Launder-O-meter LP2 Fabric: knit 100 % scoured polyester from Testfabrics pH: 50 mM potassium phosphate buffer, pH 7 Abrasives: 5 big steel balls Beaker Vol.: 120 mL Treatment: 2 hours 65°C then ramped up to 90°C and held for 1 hour Swatch Prep: Cut 3* 1.5 g swatch of fabric, 3 per beaker = 4.5 g Rinse: Rinse in deionized water.

Phase 2-Dyeing-disperse dye: Dve Solution: Add together with deionized water to make liquor ratio 1: 20- 0.4 % Dianix Red (DyStar) SE-CB (owf) pH to 4.5-5 Dyeing Procedure: 1. One swatch per treatment from the fiber modification is used for the dye- ing (1.5 g/swatch is used for the liquor ratio calculation).

2. Make dyebath according to the recipe above. Add the cold dye solution to the Labomat beakers and heat to 55°C at a gradient of 3.5°C/minute. Run for 5 minutes once temperature has been reached.

3. Add the fabric to the beaker.

4. Raise temperature to 130°C at a gradient of 1.5°C/minute. Dye for 30 minutes.

5. Cool to 70°C at a gradient of 5°C/minute. Drop bath, but collect, and rinse fabric hot (60°C) for 10 minutes. Follow the hot rinse with a room temperature overflow rinse until all bleeding had stopped.

6. Let air dry overnight.

Tests/Analvsis: AATCC Test Method 61-Colorfastness to washing Percent Dyebath Exhaustion-Spectrophotometer K/S and L*-Reflectometer AATCC TM-79 Drop Test Results: The results from the fiber modification are shown in the following table. Variant dosage Staining Color Change (K/S @ Drop Test (AATCC TM-530 before and after (AATCC TM-79) TM-61) 61) Blank 4.55 53 sec. 50 LU/mL 4. 5 5 18 sec. 100 LU/mL 4. 5 5 15 sec.

The results show that the treatment of polyester with the variant increases the wetting substantially. No adverse effects are noticed on the dyeability with the disperse dye in the current set-up.

Example 14: Malodor reduction in textiles soiled with human sweat/sebum by use of a cutinase variant in laundry The performance of cutinase, with respect to malodor reduction, can be tested in a one-cycle washing trial carried out in a Terg-O-tometer.

Experimental conditions: Washing liquor: 1000 ml per beaker Swatches: 100 % polyester (interlock knitted, previously cleaned by Soxhlet extraction). 24 swatches (3.3 x 3.5 cm) per beaker.

Soil: Human male axillary sweat and sebum applied by wiping the armpits after exercise.

Detergent: 5 g/L of a standard color detergent. No pH adjustment.

Water hardness: 3.2 mM Ca2+/Mg2+ (in a ratio of 5: 1) Wash Temperature: 30°C Wash time: 30 min

Rinse: 15 minutes in running tap water Evaluation: After wash the wet swatches are placed in closed, tinted 200 ml glasses. A trained sensory panel (9-11 judges) evaluates the odor by sniffing the headspace over the wet samples and evaluates the total odor intensity. The odor intensity is noted by placing a mark on an unstructured line scale measuring 15 cm, with word anchors at each end ('nothing'at the beginning of the scale and'very strong'at the end). All evaluations are performed twice. The swatches are evaluated on day 1,2 and 3 after wash (swatches are kept in the glasses at all times).