Polypeptides possessing a nitrilase activity and method of converting nitriles to carboxylates by means of said polypeptides

Polypeptides having nitrilase activity and resulting from the expression of a DNA segment selected from the group consisting of:

• 1) the DNA sequence shown in SEQ ID No. 4;
• 2) a degenerate of said DNA sequence resulting from the degeneracy of the genetic code;
• and,
• 3) a DNA molecule that hybridizes with the complement of said DNA sequence or analog thereof under the following conditions:
• a) hybridization buffer:
• 5.times.SSC, 5.times.Denhardt, 0.1% SDS, 50 mM Na.sub.3 PO.sub.4, pH 6.5, 250 .mu.g/ml of ssDNA;
• b) hybridization temperature:
• 50.degree. C.;
• and,
• c) washing conditions:
• 1 h, 6.times.SSC, room temperature, and
• 5 min, 2.times.SSC, 0.1% SDS, 50.degree. C.;
• and wherein said DNA molecule encodes a polypeptide having nitrilase activity.