Alpha-Amylase Variants

REFERENCE TO A SEQUENCE LISTING

This application contains a Sequence Listing in computer readable form. The computer readable form is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to alpha-amylase variants having alpha-amylase activity. The present invention further relates to polynucleotides encoding such variants, vectors and host cells comprising genes encoding such variants, which may also enable the production of such variants. The present invention further relates to use in household cleaning or treatment, in particular laundry and dishwashing, including hand wash and/or automatic laundry and/or hand wash and/or automatic dishwashing. The present invention is particularly useful for cleaning laundry.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Alpha-amylases (alpha-1,4-glucan-4-glucanohydrolases, E.C. 3.2.1.1) constitute a group of enzymes, which catalyse hydrolysis of starch and other linear and branched 1,4-glucosidic oligo- and polysaccharides. They have been known for use in household for many years, including the first bacterial alpha-amylases to be used from B. licheniformis, also known as Termamyl. Alkaline amylases, for example those from AA560 (WO2000/060060) and from SP707 (described by Tsukamoto et al., 1988, Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comm. 151: 25-31) are useful in detergents and it is known to modify these and other amylases to improve their stability in detergents. For example, WO 96/23873 discloses to delete the amino acids 181+182 or the amino acids 183+184 of SP707 (SEQ ID NO: 7 of WO 96/23873) to improve the stability of this amylase. WO 96/23873 further discloses to modify the SP707 amylase by substituting M202 with e.g. a leucine to stabilize the molecule towards oxidation.

It is a constant challenge to improve the performance of amylolytic enzymes, especially in an environmentally favourable way. For environmental reasons it is also increasingly important to provide amylolytic enzymes that are effective, preferably also in quick wash cycles often using smaller volumes of water and/or lower temperatures. Thus, it is desirable to have amylolytic enzymes that exhibit an improved property, such as specific activity, when compared to the parent polypeptide. The present invention provides variant polypeptides having alpha-amylase activity and an improved property or enzyme detergency benefit, such as removal of starch-containing stains, or specific activity, compared to its hybrid and/or a parent polypeptide. Particularly preferred amylolytic enzymes can function under low temperature and/or in shorter washing cycles and at the same time preserve or increase other desirable properties such as specific activity (amylolytic activity), stability and/or wash performance.

Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide alpha-amylase variants exhibiting an improved property, such as removal of starch-containing stains or specific activity, when compared to the parent polypeptide and which can be used in washing, dishwashing and/or cleaning processes at low temperature, such as temperatures of 5-40° C. It is a further object of the present invention to provide alpha-amylase variants which have improved wash performance compared to the parent alpha-amylase or compared to the alpha-amylase of any of SEQ ID NOs: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an alpha-amylase variant of a parent alpha-amylase comprising a modification at one or more positions corresponding to position: 1, 2, 3, 7, 26, 31, 37, 40, 41, 54, 56, 60, 63, 72, 73, 93, 94, 98, 103, 104, 105, 106, 109, 110, 111, 113, 114, 116, 117, 118, 123, 126, 128, 131, 132, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 140, 142, 144, 146, 151, 152, 155, 159, 160, 165, 167, 169, 172, 173, 174, 176, 177, 178, 180, 181, 182, 183, 185, 188, 189, 193, 194, 196, 202, 203, 205, 224, 225, 242, 243, 244, 252, 256, 258, 259, 260, 261, 266, 276, 279, 280, 283, 286, 302, 303, 315, 320, 321, 322, 323, 346, 354, 359, 360, 361, 362, 365, 371, 383, 390, 394, 395, 405, 409, 414, 420, 422, 427, 455, 457, 458, 470, 472, 473, 474, 475 and 476, using SEQ ID NO. 1 for numbering and wherein said variant has at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, but less than 100% sequence identity to the parent polypeptide.

The present invention also relates to a polynucleotide encoding an alpha amylase variant according to the invention, a nucleic acid construct comprising the polynucleotide encoding the variant according to the invention, an expression vector comprising the polynucleotide encoding the variant according to the invention, or a host cell comprising the polynucleotide encoding the variant according to the invention.

The present invention also relates to a method of producing an alpha-amylase variant, comprising (a) cultivating the host cell of the invention under conditions suitable for expression of the variant, and (b) recovering the variant.

The present invention further relates to a method of obtaining an alpha-amylase variant, comprising introducing into a parent alpha-amylase a modification at one or more positions corresponding to position 1, 2, 3, 7, 26, 31, 37, 40, 41, 54, 56, 60, 63, 72, 73, 93, 94, 98, 103, 104, 105, 106, 109, 110, 111, 113, 114, 116, 117, 118, 123, 126, 128, 131, 132, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 140, 142, 144, 146, 151, 152, 155, 159, 160, 165, 167, 169, 172, 173, 174, 176, 177, 178, 180, 181, 182, 183, 185, 188, 189, 193, 194, 196, 202, 203, 205, 224, 225, 242, 243, 244, 252, 256, 258, 259, 260, 261, 266, 276, 279, 280, 283, 286, 302, 303, 315, 320, 321, 322, 323, 346, 354, 359, 360, 361, 362, 365, 371, 383, 390, 394, 395, 405, 409, 414, 420, 422, 427, 455, 457, 458, 470, 472, 473, 474, 475 and 476, using SEQ ID NO. 1 for numbering, wherein each modification is independently a substitution or deletion, and the variant has alpha-amylase activity; and recovering the variant.

Definitions

In accordance with this detailed description, the following definitions apply. Note that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Reference to “about” a value or parameter herein includes aspects that are directed to that value or parameter per se. For example, description referring to “about X” includes the aspect “X”.

Throughout this document, values expressed in a range format should be interpreted in a flexible manner to include not only the numerical values explicitly recited as the limits of the range, but also to include all the individual numerical values or sub-ranges encompassed within that range as if each numerical value and sub-range is explicitly recited. For example, a range of “about 0.1 percent to about 5 percent” or “about 0.1 percent to 5 percent” should be interpreted to include not just about 0.1 percent to about 5 percent, but also the individual values (e.g., 1 percent, 2 percent, 3 percent, and 4 percent) and the sub-ranges (e.g., 0.1 percent to 0.5 percent, 1.1 percent to 2.2 percent, 3.3 percent to 4.4 percent) within the indicated range. The statement “about X to Y” has the same meaning as “about X to about Y,” unless indicated otherwise. Likewise, the statement “about X, Y, or about Z” has the same meaning as “about X, about Y, or about Z,” unless indicated otherwise.

Unless defined otherwise or clearly indicated by context, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs.

A-, B- and C-domains: The structure of alpha-amylases comprises three distinct domains A, B and C, see, e.g., Machius et al., 1995, J. Mol. Biol. 246: 545-559. The term “domain” means a region of a polypeptide that forms a distinct and independent substructure of the whole molecule. Alpha-amylases consist of a beta/alpha-8 barrel harboring the active site, which is denoted the A-domain, a rather long loop between the beta-sheet 3 and alpha-helix 3, which is denoted the B-domain, and a C-domain and in some cases also a carbohydrate binding domain (e.g., WO 2005/001064; Machius et al., supra).

The domains of an alpha-amylase can be determined by structure analysis such as by using crystallographically techniques. An alternative method for determining the domains of an alpha-amylase is by sequence alignment of the amino acid sequence of the alpha-amylase with another alpha-amylase for which the domains have been determined. The sequence that aligns with, e.g., the B-domain sequence in the alpha-amylase for which the B-domain has been determined can be considered the B-domain for the given alpha-amylase.

Allelic variant: The term “allelic variant” means any of two or more alternative forms of a gene occupying the same chromosomal locus. Allelic variation arises naturally through mutation and may result in polymorphism within populations. Gene mutations can be silent (no change in the encoded polypeptide) or may encode polypeptides having altered amino acid sequences. An allelic variant of a polypeptide is a polypeptide encoded by an allelic variant of a gene.

Alpha-amylases: The term “alpha-amylase” is synonymous with the term “polypeptides having alpha-amylase activity”. “Alpha-amylase activity” means the activity of alpha-1,4-glucan-4-glucanohydrolases, E.C. 3.2.1.1, which constitute a group of enzymes, catalyzing hydrolysis of starch and other linear and branched 1,4-glucosidic oligo- and polysaccharides. Thus, the term “alpha-amylase” as used herein, refers to an enzyme that has alpha-amylase activity (Enzyme Class; EC 3.2.1.1) that hydrolyses alpha bonds of large, alpha-linked polysaccharides, such as starch and glycogen, yielding glucose and maltose. The terms “alpha-amylase” and “amylase” may be used interchangeably and constitute the same meaning and purpose herein. For purposes of the present invention, alpha-amylase activity is determined according to the procedure described under the sub-heading Methods, below. In one aspect, the alpha-amylases of the present invention have at least 20%, e.g., at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, such as at least 65%, such as at least 70%, such as at least 75%, such as at least 80%, such as about 85%, about 90%, about 91%, about 92%, about 93%, about 94%, about 95%, about 96%, about 97%, about 98%, about 99%, but less than 100% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence to the polypeptide of SEQ ID No: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14

Amino acid: The term ‘amino acid’ as used herein, refers to the standard twenty genetically-encoded amino acids and their corresponding stereoisomers in the ‘d’ form (as compared to the natural ‘l’ form), omega-amino acids other naturally-occurring amino acids, unconventional amino acids (e.g. α, α-disubstituted amino acids, N-alkyl amino acids, etc.) and chemically derivatised amino acids. Chemical derivatives of one or more amino acids may be achieved by reaction with a functional side group. Such derivatised molecules include, for example, those molecules in which free amino groups have been derivatised to form amine hydrochlorides, p-toluene sulphonyl groups, carboxybenzoxy groups, t-butyloxycarbonyl groups, chloroacetyl groups or formyl groups. Free carboxyl groups may be derivatised to form salts, methyl and ethyl esters or other types of esters and hydrazides. Free hydroxyl groups may be derivatised to form O-acyl or O-alkyl derivatives. Also included as chemical derivatives are those peptides which contain naturally occurring amino acid derivatives of the twenty standard amino acids. For example: 4-hydroxyproline may be substituted for proline; 5-hydroxylysine may be substituted for lysine; 3-methylhistidine may be substituted for histidine; homoserine may be substituted for serine and ornithine for lysine. Derivatives also include peptides containing one or more additions or deletions as long as the requisite activity is maintained. Other included modifications are amidation, amino terminal acylation (e.g. acetylation or thioglycolic acid amidation), terminal carboxylamidation (e.g. with ammonia or methylamine), and the like terminal modifications.

When an amino acid is being specifically enumerated, such as ‘alanine’ or ‘Ala’ or ‘A’, the term refers to both l-alanine and d-alanine unless explicitly stated otherwise. Other unconventional amino acids may also be suitable components for polypeptides of the present invention, as long as the desired functional property is retained by the polypeptide. For the peptides shown, each encoded amino acid residue, where appropriate, is represented by a single letter designation, corresponding to the trivial name of the conventional amino acid. In one embodiment, the polypeptides of the invention comprise or consist of I-amino acids.

Catalytic domain: The term “catalytic domain” means the region of an enzyme containing the catalytic machinery of the enzyme.

cDNA: The term “cDNA” means a DNA molecule that can be prepared by reverse transcription from a mature, spliced, mRNA molecule obtained from a eukaryotic cell. cDNA lacks intron sequences that may be present in the corresponding genomic DNA. The initial, primary RNA transcript is a precursor to mRNA that is processed through a series of steps, including splicing, before appearing as mature spliced mRNA.

Coding sequence: The term “coding sequence” means a polynucleotide, which directly specifies the amino acid sequence of a variant. The boundaries of the coding sequence are generally determined by an open reading frame, which usually begins with a start codon such as ATG, GTG or TTG and ends with a stop codon such as TAA, TAG, or TGA. The coding sequence may be a DNA, cDNA, synthetic, or recombinant polynucleotide.

Control sequences: The term “control sequences” means nucleic acid sequences necessary for the expression of a polynucleotide encoding a variant of the present invention. Each control sequence may be native (i.e., from the same gene) or foreign (i.e., from a different gene) to the polynucleotide encoding the variant or native or foreign to each other. Such control sequences include, but are not limited to, a leader, polyadenylation sequence, propeptide sequence, promoter, signal peptide sequence, and transcription terminator. At a minimum, the control sequences include a promoter, and transcriptional and translational stop signals. The control sequences may be provided with linkers for the purpose of introducing specific restriction sites facilitating ligation of the control sequences with the coding region of the polynucleotide encoding a variant.

Corresponding to: The term “corresponding to” as used herein, refers to a way of determining the specific amino acid of a sequence wherein reference is made to a specific amino acid sequence. E.g. for the purposes of the present invention, when references are made to specific amino acid positions, the skilled person would be able to align another amino acid sequence to said amino acid sequence that reference has been made to, in order to determine which specific amino acid may be of interest in said another amino acid sequence. Alignment of another amino acid sequence with e.g. the sequence as set forth in SEQ ID No: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14, or any other sequence listed herein, has been described elsewhere herein. Alternative alignment methods may be used and are well-known for the skilled person.

Dish-washing composition: The term “dish-washing composition” as used herein, refers to all forms of compositions for cleaning dishes. The dish-washing composition is a liquid dish washing composition, a powder dish washing composition optionally wherein the composition is in the form of a unit dose. A unit dose dish-washing composition may comprise more than one compartment, the multiple compartments comprising powder, liquid or a combination thereof.

Enzyme Detergency Benefit: The term “enzyme detergency benefit” used herein, refers to the advantageous effect an enzyme may add to a detergent compared to the same detergent without the enzyme. Important detergency benefits which can be provided by enzymes are stain removal with no or very little visible soils after washing and/or cleaning, prevention or reduction of re-deposition of soils released in the washing process (an effect that also is termed anti-redeposition), restoring fully or partly the whiteness of textiles which originally were white but after repeated use and wash have obtained a greyish or yellowish appearance (an effect that also is termed whitening). Textile care benefits, which are not directly related to catalytic stain removal or prevention of re-deposition of soils, may also be important for enzyme detergency benefits. Examples of such textile care benefits are prevention or reduction of dye transfer from one fabric to another fabric or another part of the same fabric (an effect that is also termed dye transfer inhibition or anti-backstaining), removal of protruding or broken fibers from a fabric surface to decrease pilling tendencies or remove already existing pills or fuzz (an effect that also is termed anti-pilling), improvement of the fabric-softness, colour clarification of the fabric and removal of particulate soils which are trapped in the fibers of the fabric or garment. Enzymatic bleaching is a further enzyme detergency benefit where the catalytic activity generally is used to catalyze the formation of bleaching component such as hydrogen peroxide or other peroxides.

Expression: The term “expression” includes any step involved in the production of the variant including, but not limited to, transcription, post-transcriptional modification, translation, post-translational modification, and secretion.

Expression vector: The term “expression vector” means a linear or circular DNA molecule that comprises a polynucleotide encoding a variant and is operably linked to additional nucleotides that provide for its expression.

Fragment: The term “fragment” as used herein, refers to a polypeptide having one or more (e.g., several) amino acids absent from the amino and/or carboxyl terminus of the mature polypeptide of any one of the parent sequences herein disclosed, such as SEQ ID NOs: 1-14; wherein the fragment has alpha-amylase activity. In one aspect, a fragment contains at least 200 contiguous amino acid residues of SEQ ID NOs: 1-14, for example at least 300 contiguous amino acid residues, or at least 350 contiguous amino acid residues, or at least 400 contiguous amino acid residues, or at least 450 contiguous amino acid residues of SEQ ID NOs: 1-14.

Fusion Polypeptide: The term “fusion polypeptide” as used herein, refers to a polypeptide which comprises amino acid sequences originating from more than one, such as two, three, or four, species. Such a fusion polypeptide may have been generated by molecular techniques well-known to the skilled person. A fusion polypeptide of the present invention has alpha-amylase activity. In particular, a fusion polypeptide of the present invention, comprises e.g. an A and C domain of one alpha-amylase and a B domain from another alpha-amylase. Hybrid polypeptide (or “hybrid”) and fusion polypeptide may be used interchangeably and constitute the same meaning and purpose.

Hard surface cleaning: The term “hard surface cleaning” as used herein, refers to cleaning of any hard surfaces including floors, roofs, cars, kitchen or bathroom surfaces, as well as dish cleaning (dish-washing).

Heterologous polynucleotide: The term “heterologous polynucleotide” is defined herein as a polynucleotide that is not native to the host cell; a native polynucleotide in which structural modifications have been made to the coding region; a native polynucleotide whose expression is quantitatively altered as a result of a manipulation of the DNA by recombinant DNA techniques, e.g., a different (foreign) promoter; or a native polynucleotide in a host cell having one or more extra copies of the polynucleotide to quantitatively alter expression. A “heterologous gene” is a gene comprising a heterologous polynucleotide.

Heterologous: The term “heterologous” means, with respect to a host cell, that a polypeptide or nucleic acid does not naturally occur in the host cell. The term “heterologous” means, with respect to a polypeptide or nucleic acid, that a control sequence, e.g., promoter, or domain of a polypeptide or nucleic acid is not naturally associated with the polypeptide or nucleic acid, i.e., the control sequence is from a gene other than the gene encoding the variants.

High stringency conditions: The term “high stringency conditions” means for probes of at least 100 nucleotides in length, prehybridization and hybridization at 42° C. in 5×SSPE, 0.3% SDS, 200 micrograms/ml sheared and denatured salmon sperm DNA, and 50% formamide, following standard Southern blotting procedures for 12 to 24 hours. The carrier material is finally washed three times each for 15 minutes using 2×SSC, 0.2% SDS at 65° C.

Host cell: The term “host cell” means any microbial or plant cell into which a nucleic acid construct or expression vector comprising a polynucleotide of the present invention has been introduced. Methods for introduction include but are not limited to protoplast fusion, transfection, transformation, electroporation, conjugation, and transduction. In some embodiments, the host cell is an isolated recombinant host cell that is partially or completely separated from at least one other component with, including but not limited to, proteins, nucleic acids, cells, etc.

Hybridization: The term “hybridization” means the pairing of substantially complementary strands of nucleic acids, using standard Southern blotting procedures. Hybridization may be performed under medium, medium-high, high or very high stringency conditions. Medium stringency conditions means prehybridization and hybridization at 42° C. in 5×SSPE, 0.3% SDS, 200 micrograms/ml sheared and denatured salmon sperm DNA, and 35% formamide for 12 to 24 hours, followed by washing three times each for 15 minutes using 0.2×SSC, 0.2% SDS at 55° C. Medium-high stringency conditions means prehybridization and hybridization at 42° C. in 5×SSPE, 0.3% SDS, 200 micrograms/ml sheared and denatured salmon sperm DNA, and 35% formamide for 12 to 24 hours, followed by washing three times each for 15 minutes using 0.2×SSC, 0.2% SDS at 60° C. High stringency conditions means prehybridization and hybridization at 42° C. in 5×SSPE, 0.3% SDS, 200 micrograms/ml sheared and denatured salmon sperm DNA, and 50% formamide for 12 to 24 hours, followed by washing three times each for 15 minutes using 0.2×SSC, 0.2% SDS at 65° C. Very high stringency conditions means prehybridization and hybridization at 42° C. in 5×SSPE, 0.3% SDS, 200 micrograms/ml sheared and denatured salmon sperm DNA, and 50% formamide for 12 to 24 hours, followed by washing three times each for 15 minutes using 0.2×SSC, 0.2% SDS at 70° C.

Improved property: The term “improved property” is defined herein as a characteristic associated with a variant that is improved compared to the parent alpha-amylase. Such improved properties include, but are not limited to, increased amylolytic activity, increased catalytic efficiency, increased catalytic rate, increased chemical stability, increased oxidation stability, increased pH activity, increased pH stability, increased specific activity, increased substrate binding, increased substrate cleavage, increased substrate specificity, increased substrate stability, increased surface properties, increased thermal activity, increased thermostability, increased wash performance such as soil removal performance e.g. performance to starch-containing soils, stain removal, anti-greying, stability e.g. thermostability, pH stability, or stability in the presence of builders, including chelant, stability in powder, liquid or gel detergent formulation or dishwashing composition, altered temperature-dependent performance and activity profile, pH activity, substrate specificity, product specificity, and chemical stability.

Improved wash performance: The term “improved wash performance” is defined herein as displaying an improvement of the wash performance of an amylase relative to the wash performance of the parent amylase or relative to the alpha-amylase of any of SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 3 e.g. by increased stain removal. Improved wash performance may be measured by comparing of the so-called Intensity value. Preferably improved wash performance is determined according to the Examples. The wash performance is improved if the Improvement Factor (IF) is above 1.0, preferably above 1.05 in one or more of the conditions listed in the examples. The wash conditions are described in the Example section. The term “wash performance” includes cleaning in general e.g. hard surface cleaning as in dish wash, but also wash performance on textiles such as laundry, and also industrial and institutional cleaning. Improved wash performance may be measured by comparing the delta intensities as described in the definition herein.

Isolated: The term “isolated” means a substance in a form or environment which does not occur in nature. Non-limiting examples of isolated substances include (1) any non-naturally occurring substance, (2) any substance including, but not limited to, any enzyme, variant, nucleic acid, protein, peptide or cofactor, that is at least partially removed from one or more or all of the naturally occurring constituents with which it is associated in nature; (3) any substance modified by the hand of man relative to that substance found in nature; or (4) any substance modified by increasing the amount of the substance relative to other components with which it is naturally associated (e.g., multiple copies of a gene encoding the substance; use of a stronger promoter than the promoter naturally associated with the gene encoding the substance). An isolated substance may be present in a fermentation broth sample. In one aspect, the present invention relates to an isolated alpha-amylase variant.

Intensity value: The wash performance is measured as the brightness expressed as the intensity of the light reflected from the sample when illuminated with white light. When the sample is stained the intensity of the reflected light is lower, than that of a clean sample. Therefore, the intensity of the reflected light can be used to measure wash performance, where a higher intensity value correlates with higher wash performance. Color measurements are made with a professional flatbed scanner (Kodak iQsmart, Kodak) used to capture an image of the washed textile. To extract a value for the light intensity from the scanned images, 24-bit pixel values from the image are converted into values for red, green and blue (RGB). The intensity value (Int) is calculated by adding the RGB values together as vectors and then taking the length of the resulting vector:

Int=√{square root over (r²+g²+b²)}

Low stringency conditions: The term “low stringency conditions” means for probes of at least 100 nucleotides in length, prehybridization and hybridization at 42° C. in 5×SSPE, 0.3% SDS, 200 micrograms/ml sheared and denatured salmon sperm DNA, and 25% formamide, following standard Southern blotting procedures for 12 to 24 hours. The carrier material is finally washed three times each for 15 minutes using 0.2×SSC, 0.2% SDS at 50° C.

Low temperature: “Low temperature” is a temperature of 5-40° C., or 5-35° C., or 5-30° C., or even 5-25° C., or 5-20° C., or 5-15° C., or 5-10° C. Preferably, “Low temperature” is a temperature of 10-35° C., preferably 10-30° C., or 10-25° C., or 10-20° C.

Mature polypeptide coding sequence: The term “mature polypeptide coding sequence” means a polynucleotide that encodes a mature polypeptide having alpha-amylase activity.

Mature polypeptide: The term “mature polypeptide” means a polypeptide in its final form following translation and any post-translational modifications, such as N-terminal processing, C-terminal truncation, glycosylation, phosphorylation, etc. It is known in the art that a host cell may produce a mixture of two of more different mature polypeptides (i.e., with a different C-terminal and/or N-terminal amino acid) expressed by the same polynucleotide.

Medium stringency conditions: The term “medium stringency conditions” means for probes of at least 100 nucleotides in length, prehybridization and hybridization at 42° C. in 5×SSPE, 0.3% SDS, 200 micrograms/ml sheared and denatured salmon sperm DNA, and 35% formamide, following standard Southern blotting procedures for 12 to 24 hours. The carrier material is finally washed three times each for 15 minutes using 2×SSC, 0.2% SDS at 55° C.

Medium-high stringency conditions: The term “medium-high stringency conditions” means for probes of at least 100 nucleotides in length, prehybridization and hybridization at 42° C. in 5×SSPE, 0.3% SDS, 200 micrograms/ml sheared and denatured salmon sperm DNA, and 35% formamide, following standard Southern blotting procedures for 12 to 24 hours. The carrier material is finally washed three times each for 15 minutes using 2×SSC, 0.2% SDS at 60° C.

Modification: The term “modification”, in the context of the polypeptides of the invention, means that one or more amino acids within the reference amino acid sequence (e.g. SEQ ID NOs: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14) are altered by substitution with a different amino acid, by insertion of an amino acid or by deletion, preferably by at least one deletion. The terms “modification”, “alteration”, and “mutation” may be used interchangeably and constitute the same meaning and purpose.

Mutant: The term “mutant” means a polynucleotide encoding a variant.

Native: The term “native” means a nucleic acid or polypeptide naturally occurring in a host cell.

Nucleic acid construct: The term “nucleic acid construct” means a nucleic acid molecule, either single- or double-stranded, which is isolated from a naturally occurring gene or is modified to contain segments of nucleic acids in a manner that would not otherwise exist in nature or which is synthetic, which comprises one or more control sequences. The term nucleic acid construct is synonymous with the term “expression cassette” when the nucleic acid construct contains the control sequences required for expression of a coding sequence of the present invention.

Operably linked: The term “operably linked” means a configuration in which a control sequence is placed at an appropriate position relative to the coding sequence of a polynucleotide such that the control sequence directs the expression of the coding sequence.

Parent or Parent alpha-amylase: The term “parent” alpha-amylase as used herein means an alpha-amylase to which modifications are made to produce the variant alpha-amylase of the present invention. This term also refers to the polypeptide with which a variant of the invention is compared. The parent may be a naturally occurring (wild type) polypeptide, or it may even be a variant thereof, prepared by any suitable means. For instance, the parent protein may be a variant of a naturally occurring polypeptide which has been modified or altered in the amino acid sequence. Thus, the parent alpha-amylase may have one or more (or one or several) amino acid substitutions, deletions and/or insertions. Thus, the parent alpha-amylase may be a variant of a parent alpha-amylase. A parent may also be an allelic variant which is a polypeptide encoded by any of two or more alternative forms of a gene occupying the same chromosomal locus. The term “parent” or “parent alpha-amylase” as used herein, refers to the alpha-amylase of SEQ ID NOs: SEQ ID NOs: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14, or any alpha-amylase having at least 60% sequence identity to any of the polypeptides of SEQ ID NOs: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14. The parent alpha-amylase may also be a polypeptide comprising a fragment of SEQ ID NOs: 1-14. The parent may be a bacterial or a fungal alpha-amylase, preferably a bacterial alpha-amylase. The amylase having SEQ ID NO: 1, 2 or 3 may for example be a parent or hybrid polypeptide essential to the present invention.

Purified: The term “purified” means a nucleic acid or polypeptide that is substantially free from other components as determined by analytical techniques well known in the art (e.g., a purified polypeptide or nucleic acid may form a discrete band in an electrophoretic gel, chromatographic eluate, and/or a media subjected to density gradient centrifugation). A purified nucleic acid or polypeptide is at least about 50% pure, usually at least about 60%, about 65%, about 70%, about 75%, about 80%, about 85%, about 90%, about 91%, about 92%, about 93%, about 94%, about 95%, about 96%, about 97%, about 98%, about 99%, about 99.5%, about 99.6%, about 99.7%, about 99.8% or more pure (e.g., percent by weight on a molar basis). In a related sense, a composition is enriched for a molecule when there is a substantial increase in the concentration of the molecule after application of a purification or enrichment technique. The term “enriched” refers to a compound, polypeptide, cell, nucleic acid, amino acid, or other specified material or component that is present in a composition at a relative or absolute concentration that is higher than a starting composition.

Recombinant: The term “recombinant,” when used in reference to a cell, nucleic acid, protein or vector, means that it has been modified from its native state. Thus, for example, recombinant cells express genes that are not found within the native (non-recombinant) form of the cell, or express native genes at different levels or under different conditions than found in nature. Recombinant nucleic acids differ from a native sequence by one or more nucleotides and/or are operably linked to heterologous sequences, e.g., a heterologous promoter in an expression vector. Recombinant proteins may differ from a native sequence by one or more amino acids and/or are fused with heterologous sequences. A vector comprising a nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide is a recombinant vector. The term “recombinant” is synonymous with “genetically modified” and “transgenic”.

Sequence Identity: The relatedness between two amino acid sequences or between two nucleotide sequences is described by the parameter “sequence identity”.

For purposes of the present invention, the sequence identity between two amino acid sequences is determined using the Needleman-Wunsch algorithm (Needleman and Wunsch, 1970, J. Mol. Biol. 48: 443-453) as implemented in the Needle program of the EMBOSS package (EMBOSS: The European Molecular Biology Open Software Suite, Rice et al., 2000, Trends Genet. 16: 276-277), preferably version 5.0.0 or later. The parameters used may be gap open penalty of 10, gap extension penalty of 0.5, and the EBLOSUM62 (EMBOSS version of BLOSUM62) substitution matrix. The output of Needle labeled “longest identity” (obtained using the -nobrief option) is used as the percent identity and is calculated as follows:

(Identical Residues×100)/(Length of Alignment−Total Number of Gaps in Alignment)

For purposes of the present invention, the sequence identity between two deoxyribonucleotide sequences is determined using the Needleman-Wunsch algorithm (Needleman and Wunsch, 1970, supra) as implemented in the Needle program of the EMBOSS package (EMBOSS: The European Molecular Biology Open Software Suite, Rice et al., 2000, supra), preferably version 5.0.0 or later. The parameters used are gap open penalty of 10, gap extension penalty of 0.5, and the EDNAFULL (EMBOSS version of NCBI NUC4.4) substitution matrix. The output of Needle labeled “longest identity” (obtained using the -nobrief option) is used as the percent identity and is calculated as follows:

(Identical Deoxyribonucleotides×100)/(Length of Alignment−Total Number of Gaps in Alignment)

Signal peptide: The term “signal peptide” is defined herein as a peptide linked (fused) in frame to the amino terminus of a polypeptide having biological activity and directs the polypeptide into the cell's secretory pathway. Signal sequences may be determined using techniques known in the art (See, e.g., Zhang and Henzel, 2004, Protein Science 13: 2819-2824).

Starch binding domain: The terms “starch binding domain (SBD) or carbohydrate binding module (CBM)” are used interchangeably herein. SBDs can be divided into nine CBM families. As a source of energy, starch is degraded by a large number of various amylolytic enzymes. However, only about 10 percent of them are capable of binding and degrading raw starch. These enzymes usually possess a distinct sequence-structural module called the starch-binding domain that mediates attachment to starch granules. SBD refers to an amino acid sequence that binds preferentially to a starch (polysaccharide) substrate or a maltosaccharide, alpha-, beta and gamma-cyclodextrin and the like. They are usually motifs of approximately 100 amino acid residues found in about 10 percent of microbial amylolytic enzymes.

Subsequence: The term “subsequence” means a polynucleotide having one or more (e.g. several) nucleotides deleted from the 5′- and/or 3′-end of a mature polypeptide coding sequence; wherein the subsequence encodes a fragment having alpha-amylase activity.

Textile Care Benefits: The term “textile care benefits”, as used herein, is defined as not being directly related to catalytic stain removal or prevention of re-deposition of soils, are also important for enzyme detergency benefits. Examples of such textile care benefits are prevention or reduction of dye transfer from one textile to another textile or another part of the same textile (dye transfer inhibition), removal of protruding or broken fibers from a textile surface to decrease pilling tendencies or remove already existing pills or fuzz (anti-pilling), improvement of the textile-softness, color clarification of the textile and removal of particulate soils which are trapped in the fibers of the textile. Enzymatic bleaching is a further enzyme detergency benefit where the catalytic activity generally is used to catalyze the formation of bleaching component such as hydrogen peroxide or other peroxides or other bleaching species.

Variant: The term “variant” as used herein means a polypeptide having alpha-amylase activity comprising a modification, i.e., a substitution, insertion, and/or deletion, at one or more (e.g. several) positions. A substitution means replacement of an amino acid occupying a position with a different amino acid; a deletion means removal of an amino acid occupying a position; and an insertion means adding an amino acid adjacent to and immediately following an amino acid occupying a position. The variant have at least 20%, e.g., at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, about 85%, about 90%, about 91%, about 92%, about 93%, about 94%, about 95%, about 96%, about 97%, about 98%, about 99%, but less than 100% of the alpha-amylase activity of one or more of the polypeptides of SEQ ID NOs: 1-14.

Very high stringency conditions: The term “very high stringency conditions” means for probes of at least 100 nucleotides in length, prehybridization and hybridization at 42° C. in 5×SSPE, 0.3% SDS, 200 micrograms/ml sheared and denatured salmon sperm DNA, and 50% formamide, following standard Southern blotting procedures for 12 to 24 hours. The carrier material is finally washed three times each for 15 minutes using 2×SSC, 0.2% SDS at 70° C.

Very low stringency conditions: The term “very low stringency conditions” means for probes of at least 100 nucleotides in length, prehybridization and hybridization at 42° C. in 5×SSPE, 0.3% SDS, 200 micrograms/ml sheared and denatured salmon sperm DNA, and 25% formamide, following standard Southern blotting procedures for 12 to 24 hours. The carrier material is finally washed three times each for 15 minutes using 2×SSC, 0.2% SDS at 45° C.

Wash performance: In the present context the term “wash performance” is used as an enzyme's ability to remove starch or starch-containing stains present on the object to be cleaned during e.g. laundry or hard surface cleaning, such as dish wash. The term “wash performance” includes cleaning in general e.g. hard surface cleaning as in dish wash, but also wash performance on textiles such as laundry, and also industrial and institutional cleaning. The wash performance may be quantified by calculating the so-called Intensity value.

Wild-Type Enzyme: The term “wild-type” alpha-amylase means an alpha-amylase expressed by a naturally occurring microorganism, such as a bacterium, yeast, or filamentous fungus found in nature. The terms “wild-type enzyme” and “parent enzyme” can be used interchangeably when the parent enzyme is not a variant enzyme.

Nomenclature

For purposes of the present invention, the nomenclature [Y/F] means that the amino acid at this position may be a tyrosine (Try, Y) or a phenylalanine (Phe, F). Likewise, the nomenclature [V/G/A/l] means that the amino acid at this position may be a valine (Val, V), glycine (Gly, G), alanine (Ala, A) or isoleucine (lie, 1), and so forth for other combinations as described herein. The amino acid X is defined such that it may be any of the 20 natural amino acids, unless otherwise stated.

Conventions for Designation of Variants

For purposes of the present invention, the polypeptide disclosed in SEQ ID NO: 1 is used to determine the corresponding amino acid residue in another alpha-amylase. Alternatively, the polypeptide disclosed in SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 3 may be used to determine the corresponding amino acid residue in another alpha-amylase. The amino acid sequence of another alpha-amylase is aligned with the polypeptide disclosed in SEQ ID NO: 1, and based on the alignment, the amino acid position number corresponding to any amino acid residue in the polypeptide disclosed in SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 3 is determined using the Needleman-Wunsch algorithm (Needleman and Wunsch, 1970, J. Mol. Biol. 48: 443-453) as implemented in the Needle program of the EMBOSS package (EMBOSS: The European Molecular Biology Open Software Suite, Rice et al., 2000, Trends Genet. 16: 276-277), preferably version 3.0.0 or later.

Identification of the corresponding amino acid residue in another alpha-amylase can be determined by an alignment of multiple polypeptide sequences using several computer programs including, but not limited to, MUSCLE (multiple sequence comparison by log-expectation; version 3.5 or later; Edgar, 2004, Nucleic Acids Research 32: 1792-1797), MAFFT (version 6.857 or later; Katoh and Kuma, 2002, Nucleic Acids Research 30: 3059-3066; Katoh et al., 2005, Nucleic Acids Research 33: 511-518; Katoh and Toh, 2007, Bioinformatics 23: 372-374; Katoh et al., 2009, Methods in Molecular Biology 537: 39-64; Katoh and Toh, 2010, Bioinformatics 26: 1899-1900), and EMBOSS EMMA employing ClustalW (1.83 or later; Thompson et al., 1994, Nucleic Acids Research 22: 4673-4680), using their respective default parameters.

When the other enzyme has diverged from the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1 such that traditional sequence-based comparison fails to detect their relationship (Lindahl and Elofsson, 2000, J. Mol. Biol. 295: 613-615), other pairwise sequence comparison algorithms can be used. Greater sensitivity in sequence-based searching can be attained using search programs that utilize probabilistic representations of polypeptide families (profiles) to search databases. For example, the PSI-BLAST program generates profiles through an iterative database search process and is capable of detecting remote homologs (Atschul et al., 1997, Nucleic Acids Res. 25: 3389-3402).

Even greater sensitivity can be achieved if the family or superfamily for the polypeptide has one or more representatives in the protein structure databases. Programs such as GenTHREADER (Jones, 1999, J. Mol. Biol. 287: 797-815; McGuffin and Jones, 2003, Bioinformatics 19: 874-881) utilize information from a variety of sources (PSI-BLAST, secondary structure prediction, structural alignment profiles, and solvation potentials) as input to a neural network that predicts the structural fold for a query sequence. Similarly, the method of Gough et al., 2000, J. Mol. Biol. 313: 903-919, can be used to align a sequence of unknown structure with the superfamily models present in the SCOP database. These alignments can in turn be used to generate homology models for the polypeptide, and such models can be assessed for accuracy using a variety of tools developed for that purpose.

For proteins of known structure, several tools and resources are available for retrieving and generating structural alignments. For example, the SCOP superfamilies of proteins have been structurally aligned, and those alignments are accessible and downloadable. Two or more protein structures can be aligned using a variety of algorithms such as the distance alignment matrix (Holm and Sander, 1998, Proteins 33: 88-96) or combinatorial extension (Shindyalov and Bourne, 1998, Protein Engineering 11: 739-747), and implementation of these algorithms can additionally be utilized to query structure databases with a structure of interest in order to discover possible structural homologs (e.g., Holm and Park, 2000, Bioinformatics 16: 566-567).

In describing the variants, the nomenclature described below is adapted for ease of reference. The accepted IUPAC single letter or three letter amino acid abbreviation is employed.

Substitutions: For an amino acid substitution, the following nomenclature is used: Original amino acid, position, substituted amino acid. Accordingly, the substitution of threonine at position 226 with alanine is designated as “Thr226Ala” or “T226A”. In situations where the amino acid at a given position may be substituted for any other amino acid it is designated T226ACDEFGHIKLMNPQRSWVY. Accordingly, this means that threonine at position 226 may be substituted with one amino acid selected from the group of A, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, W, V or Y. Likewise, in situations where the amino acid at a given position may be substituted for one amino acid selected from a specific group of amino acids, e.g. where the threonine at position 226 may be substituted with any of tyrosine, phenylalanine or histidine it is designated T226YFH. The different alterations at a given position may also be separated by a comma, e.g., “Arg170Tyr,Glu” or “R170Y,E” represents a substitution of arginine at position 170 with tyrosine or glutamic acid. Thus, “Tyr167Gly,Ala+Arg170Gly,Ala” designates the following variants: “Tyr167Gly+Arg170Gly”, “Tyr167Gly+Arg170Ala”, “Tyr167Ala+Arg170Gly”, and “Tyr167Ala+Arg170Ala”.

Multiple mutations are separated by addition marks (“+”), e.g., “Gly205Arg+Ser411 Phe” or “G205R+S411F”, representing substitutions at positions 205 and 411 of glycine (G) with arginine (R) and serine (S) with phenylalanine (F), respectively.

Deletions. For an amino acid deletion, the following nomenclature is used: Original amino acid, position, *. Accordingly, the deletion of glycine at position 195 is designated as “Gly195*” or “G195*”. Multiple deletions are separated by addition marks (“+”), e.g., “Gly195*+Ser411*” or “G195*+S411*”.

Insertions. For an amino acid insertion, the following nomenclature is used: Original amino acid, position, original amino acid, inserted amino acid. Accordingly, the insertion of lysine after glycine at position 195 is designated “Gly195GlyLys” or “G195GK”. An insertion of multiple amino acids is designated [Original amino acid, position, original amino acid, inserted amino acid #1, inserted amino acid #2; etc.]. For example, the insertion of lysine and alanine after glycine at position 195 is indicated as “Gly195GlyLysAla” or “G195GKA”.

In such cases the inserted amino acid residue(s) are numbered by the addition of lower case letters to the position number of the amino acid residue preceding the inserted amino acid residue(s). In the above example, the sequence would thus be:

Parent:
Variant:

195
195 195a 195b

G
G-K-A

Multiple alterations. Variants comprising multiple alterations are separated by addition marks (“+”), e.g., “Arg170Tyr+Gly195Glu” or “R170Y+G195E” representing a substitution of arginine and glycine at positions 170 and 195 with tyrosine and glutamic acid, respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Parent Alpha-Amylases

The present invention relates to a polypeptide having amylase activity, wherein the polypeptide is a fusion (hybrid) polypeptide.

The present invention provides a polypeptide having alpha-amylase activity comprising an A-domain with at least 60% sequence identity with the A-domain of any of SEQ ID NOs: 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, a B-domain with at least 60% sequence identity with the B-domain of any of SEQ ID NOs: 1, 2, 10, 11 or 12, and a C-domain with at least 60% sequence identity with the C-domain of any of SEQ ID NOs: 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5.

The present invention comprises a hybrid alpha-amylase of a parent polypeptide having alpha-amylase activity comprising an A domain, a B domain and a C domain, wherein the said hybrid is a fusion polypeptide.

In an embodiment, the A-domain has at least 60% sequence identity, e.g., at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% sequence identity with the A-domain of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In an embodiment, the B-domain has at least 60% sequence identity, e.g., at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% sequence identity with the B-domain of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In an embodiment, the C-domain has at least 60% sequence identity, e.g., at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% sequence identity with the C-domain of SEQ ID NO: 1.

The alpha-amylases may be produced by substituting the B-domain or a portion thereof of one alpha-amylase with the B-domain or a portion thereof of another alpha-amylase. The alpha-amylases also may be produced by substituting the A- and C-domains or a portion thereof of one alpha-amylase with the A- and C-domains or a portion thereof of another alpha-amylase.

For the Bacillus alpha-amylase (SEQ ID NO: 4) where the B-domain has been determined as amino acid residues 109-206, the sequence to be replaced by the corresponding sequence of another alpha-amylase starts at a position in the range of positions 93-113 and ending at a position in the range of positions 195-215, e.g., starting at a position in the range of positions 97-109 and ending at a position in the range of positions 199-215 or starting at a position in the range of positions 100-106 and ending at a position in the range of positions 202-208, in particular positions 109-206 of SEQ ID NO: 12. The A and C-domains of the Bacillus alpha-amylase were determined to be amino acid residues 1-108 (A1)+207-396 (A2) and 397-485, respectively. The alpha-amylases of the present invention may comprise an A1-domain starting at a position in the range of positions 1-5 and ending a position in the range of positions 94-114, e.g., starting at a position in the range of positions 1-3 and ending at a position in the range of positions 99-110 or starting at a position in the range of positions 1-3 and ending at a position in the range of positions 104-109, in particular positions 1-108 of SEQ ID NO: 4. The alpha-amylases of the present invention may comprise A2 and C-domains starting at a position in the range of positions 201-221 and ending at a position in the range of positions 478-514, e.g., starting at a position in the range of positions 203-211 and ending at a position in the range of positions 480-510 or starting at a position in the range of positions 205-216 and ending at a position in the range of positions 482-484 in particular positions 207-485 of SEQ ID NO: 4.

In one embodiment, the hybrid polypeptide comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1 or 2. In another embodiment, the hybrid polypeptide is an allelic variant of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1 or 2.

In another embodiment, the parent polypeptide may comprise or consist of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1. As stated elsewhere herein, the parent polypeptide may be any polypeptide having alpha-amylase activity and having at least 60% sequence identity to any one of the amino acid sequences as set forth in SEQ ID NOs: 1-14.

In one embodiment, the parent polypeptide has a sequence identity to the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2 of at least 60%, e.g., at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or 100% and which parent polypeptide has alpha-amylase activity. In one embodiment, the amino acid sequence of the parent polypeptide differs by up to 10 amino acids, e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10, from the amino acid sequences set forth in SEQ ID NOs: 1-14.

According to the present invention, a value of 1.0 corresponds to the performance observed for the parent polypeptide. A value above 1.0 indicates an improvement of performance of the hybrid tested compared to the parent polypeptide. Accordingly, any value of >1.0 is indicative for improvement of property, such as increased specific activity, of the hybrid polypeptide compared to the parent polypeptide.

In one aspect, the hybrid polypeptide is a parent polypeptide.

The parent alpha-amylase may be a polypeptide with at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, but less than 100% sequence identity with any one of the polypeptides of SEQ ID Nos: 1-14.

In one aspect, the parent has a sequence identity to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1 of at least 60% e.g., at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, or 100% which have alpha-amylase activity. In one embodiment, the amino acid sequence of the parent differs by no more than ten amino acids, e.g., by five amino acids, by four amino acids, by three amino acids, by two amino acids, and by one amino acid from the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

The parent preferably comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1. In one embodiment the parent comprises or consists of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another embodiment, the parent is an allelic variant of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In one aspect, the parent has a sequence identity to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 2 of at least 60% e.g., at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, or 100% which have alpha-amylase activity. In one embodiment, the amino acid sequence of the parent differs by no more than ten amino acids, e.g., by five amino acids, by four amino acids, by three amino acids, by two amino acids, and by one amino acid from the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 2.

The parent preferably comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2.

In one embodiment the parent comprises or consists of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 2. In another embodiment, the parent is an allelic variant of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 2.

In one aspect, the parent has a sequence identity to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 3 of at least 60% e.g., at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, or 100% which have alpha-amylase activity. In one embodiment, the amino acid sequence of the parent differs by no more than ten amino acids, e.g., by five amino acids, by four amino acids, by three amino acids, by two amino acids, and by one amino acid from the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 3.

The parent preferably comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3. In one embodiment the parent comprises or consists of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 3. In another embodiment, the parent is an allelic variant of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 3.

In one aspect, the parent has a sequence identity to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 4 of at least 60% e.g., at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, or 100% which have alpha-amylase activity. In one embodiment, the amino acid sequence of the parent differs by no more than ten amino acids, e.g., by five amino acids, by four amino acids, by three amino acids, by two amino acids, and by one amino acid from the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 4.

The parent preferably comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4. In one embodiment the parent comprises or consists of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 4. In another embodiment, the parent is an allelic variant of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 4.

In one aspect, the parent has a sequence identity to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 5 of at least 60% e.g., at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, or 100% which have alpha-amylase activity. In one embodiment, the amino acid sequence of the parent differs by no more than ten amino acids, e.g., by five amino acids, by four amino acids, by three amino acids, by two amino acids, and by one amino acid from the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 5.

The parent preferably comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 5. In one embodiment the parent comprises or consists of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 5. In another embodiment, the parent is an allelic variant of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 5.

In one aspect, the parent has a sequence identity to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 6 of at least 60% e.g., at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, or 100% which have alpha-amylase activity. In one embodiment, the amino acid sequence of the parent differs by no more than ten amino acids, e.g., by five amino acids, by four amino acids, by three amino acids, by two amino acids, and by one amino acid from the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 6.

The parent preferably comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 6. In one embodiment the parent comprises or consists of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 6. In another embodiment, the parent is an allelic variant of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 6.

In one aspect, the parent has a sequence identity to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 7 of at least 60% e.g., at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, or 100% which have alpha-amylase activity. In one embodiment, the amino acid sequence of the parent differs by no more than ten amino acids, e.g., by five amino acids, by four amino acids, by three amino acids, by two amino acids, and by one amino acid from the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 7.

The parent preferably comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 7. In one embodiment the parent comprises or consists of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 7. In another embodiment, the parent is an allelic variant of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 7.

In one aspect, the parent has a sequence identity to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 8 of at least 60% e.g., at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, or 100% which have alpha-amylase activity. In one embodiment, the amino acid sequence of the parent differs by no more than ten amino acids, e.g., by five amino acids, by four amino acids, by three amino acids, by two amino acids, and by one amino acid from the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 8.

The parent preferably comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 8. In one embodiment the parent comprises or consists of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 8. In another embodiment, the parent is an allelic variant of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 8.

In one aspect, the parent has a sequence identity to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 9 of at least 60% e.g., at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, or 100% which have alpha-amylase activity. In one embodiment, the amino acid sequence of the parent differs by no more than ten amino acids, e.g., by five amino acids, by four amino acids, by three amino acids, by two amino acids, and by one amino acid from the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 9.

The parent preferably comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 9. In one embodiment the parent comprises or consists of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 9. In another embodiment, the parent is an allelic variant of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 9.

In one aspect, the parent has a sequence identity to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 10 of at least 60% e.g., at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, or 100% which have alpha-amylase activity. In one embodiment, the amino acid sequence of the parent differs by no more than ten amino acids, e.g., by five amino acids, by four amino acids, by three amino acids, by two amino acids, and by one amino acid from the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 10.

The parent preferably comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 10. In one embodiment the parent comprises or consists of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 10. In another embodiment, the parent is an allelic variant of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 10.

In one aspect, the parent has a sequence identity to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 11 of at least 60% e.g., at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, or 100% which have alpha-amylase activity. In one embodiment, the amino acid sequence of the parent differs by no more than ten amino acids, e.g., by five amino acids, by four amino acids, by three amino acids, by two amino acids, and by one amino acid from the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 11.

The parent preferably comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 11. In one embodiment the parent comprises or consists of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 11. In another embodiment, the parent is an allelic variant of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 11.

In one aspect, the parent has a sequence identity to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 12 of at least 60% e.g., at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, or 100% which have alpha-amylase activity. In one embodiment, the amino acid sequence of the parent differs by no more than ten amino acids, e.g., by five amino acids, by four amino acids, by three amino acids, by two amino acids, and by one amino acid from the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 12.

The parent preferably comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 12. In one embodiment the parent comprises or consists of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 12. In another embodiment, the parent is an allelic variant of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 12.

In one aspect, the parent has a sequence identity to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 13 of at least 60% e.g., at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, or 100% which have alpha-amylase activity. In one embodiment, the amino acid sequence of the parent differs by no more than ten amino acids, e.g., by five amino acids, by four amino acids, by three amino acids, by two amino acids, and by one amino acid from the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 13.

The parent preferably comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 13. In one embodiment the parent comprises or consists of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 13. In another embodiment, the parent is an allelic variant of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 13.

In one aspect, the parent has a sequence identity to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 14 of at least 60% e.g., at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, or 100% which have alpha-amylase activity. In one embodiment, the amino acid sequence of the parent differs by no more than ten amino acids, e.g., by five amino acids, by four amino acids, by three amino acids, by two amino acids, and by one amino acid from the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 14.

The parent preferably comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 14. In one embodiment the parent comprises or consists of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 14. In another embodiment, the parent is an allelic variant of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 14.

The amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 6, SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NO: 8, SEQ ID NO: 9, SEQ ID NO: 10, SEQ ID NO: 11, SEQ ID NO: 12, SEQ ID NO: 13, SEQ ID NO: 14 or a fragment thereof, may be used to design nucleic acid probes to identify and clone DNA encoding a parent from strains of different genera or species according to methods well known in the art. In particular, such probes can be used for hybridization with the genomic or cDNA of the genus or species of interest, following standard Southern blotting procedures, in order to identify and isolate the corresponding gene therein. Such probes can be considerably shorter than the entire sequence, but should be at least 14, e.g., at least 25, at least 35, or at least 70 nucleotides in length. Preferably, the nucleic acid probe is at least 100 nucleotides in length, e.g., at least 200 nucleotides, at least 300 nucleotides, at least 400 nucleotides, at least 500 nucleotides, at least 600 nucleotides, at least 700 nucleotides, at least 800 nucleotides, or at least 900 nucleotides in length. Both DNA and RNA probes can be used. The probes are typically labeled for detecting the corresponding gene (for example, with ³²P, ³H, ³⁵S, biotin, or avidin). Such probes are encompassed by the present invention.

A genomic DNA or cDNA library prepared from such other strains may be screened for DNA that hybridizes with the probes described above and encodes a parent. Genomic or other DNA from such other strains may be separated by agarose or polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, or other separation techniques. DNA from the libraries or the separated DNA may be transferred to and immobilized on nitrocellulose or other suitable carrier material. In order to identify a clone or DNA that hybridizes with parent or a subsequence thereof, the carrier material is used in a Southern blot.

For purposes of the present invention, hybridization indicates that the polynucleotide hybridizes to a labeled nucleotide probe corresponding to a polynucleotide encoding SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 6, SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NO: 8, or a subsequence thereof, under low to very high stringency conditions. Molecules to which the probe hybridizes can be detected using, for example, X-ray film or any other detection means known in the art.

In one aspect, the nucleic acid probe is a polynucleotide that encodes the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 6, SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NO: 8, or a fragment thereof.

For long probes of at least 100 nucleotides in length, very low to very high stringency conditions are defined as prehybridization and hybridization at 42° C. in 5×SSPE, 0.3% SDS, 200 micrograms/ml sheared and denatured salmon sperm DNA, and either 25% formamide for very low and low stringencies, 35% formamide for medium and medium-high stringencies, or 50% formamide for high and very high stringencies, following standard Southern blotting procedures for 12 to 24 hours optimally. The carrier material is finally washed three times each for 15 minutes using 2×SSC, 0.2% SDS at 45° C. (very low stringency), 50° C. (low stringency), 55° C. (medium stringency), 60° C. (medium-high stringency), 65° C. (high stringency), or 70° C. (very high stringency).

For short probes that are about 15 nucleotides to about 70 nucleotides in length, stringency conditions are defined as prehybridization and hybridization at about 5° C. to about 10° C. below the calculated T_musing the calculation according to Bolton and McCarthy (1962, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 48: 1390) in 0.9 M NaCl, 0.09 M Tris-HCl pH 7.6, 6 mM EDTA, 0.5% NP-40, 1×Denhardt's solution, 1 mM sodium pyrophosphate, 1 mM sodium monobasic phosphate, 0.1 mM ATP, and 0.2 mg of yeast RNA per ml following standard Southern blotting procedures for 12 to 24 hours optimally. The carrier material is finally washed once in 6×SCC plus 0.1% SDS for 15 minutes and twice each for 15 minutes using 6×SSC at 5° C. to 10° C. below the calculated T_m.

The parent may be obtained from microorganisms of any genus. For purposes of the present invention, the term “obtained from” as used herein in connection with a given source shall mean that the parent encoded by a polynucleotide is produced by the source or by a strain in which the polynucleotide from the source has been inserted. In one aspect, the parent is secreted extracellularly.

The parent may be a bacterial alpha-amylase. For example, the parent may be a gram-positive bacterial polypeptide such as a Bacillus, Clostridium, Enterococcus, Geobacillus, Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, Oceanobacillus, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, or Streptomyces alpha-amylase, or a gram-negative bacterial polypeptide such as a Campylobacter, E. coli, Flavobacterium, Fusobacterium, Helicobacter, Ilyobacter, Neisseria, Pseudomonas, Salmonella, or Ureaplasma alpha-amylase.

In one aspect, the parent is a Bacillus alkalophilus, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus brevis, Bacillus circulans, Bacillus clausii, Bacillus coagulans, Bacillus firmus, Bacillus lautus, Bacillus lentus, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus pumilus, Bacillus stearothermophilus, Bacillus subtilis, or Bacillus thuringiensis alpha-amylase.

In another aspect, the parent is a Streptococcus equisimilis, Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus uberis, or Streptococcus equi subsp. Zooepidemicus alpha-amylase.

In another aspect, the parent is a Streptomyces achromogenes, Streptomyces avermitilis, Streptomyces coelicolor, Streptomyces griseus, or Streptomyces lividans alpha-amylase.

In another aspect, the parent is a Bacillus sp. alpha-amylase, e.g., the alpha-amylase of SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 6, SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NO: 8, SEQ ID NO: 9, SEQ ID NO: 10, SEQ ID NO: 11, SEQ ID NO: 12, SEQ ID NO: 13 or SEQ ID NO: 14.

It will be understood that for the aforementioned species, the invention encompasses both the perfect and imperfect states, and other taxonomic equivalents, e.g., anamorphs, regardless of the species name by which they are known. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize the identity of appropriate equivalents.

Strains of these species are readily accessible to the public in a number of culture collections, such as the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen GmbH (DSM), Centraalbureau Voor Schimmelcultures (CBS), and Agricultural Research Service Patent Culture Collection, Northern Regional Research Center (NRRL).

The parent may be identified and obtained from other sources including microorganisms isolated from nature (e.g., soil, composts, water, etc.) or DNA samples obtained directly from natural materials (e.g., soil, composts, water, etc,) using the above-mentioned probes. Techniques for isolating microorganisms and DNA directly from natural habitats are well known in the art. The polynucleotide encoding a parent may then be derived by similarly screening a genomic or cDNA library of another microorganism or mixed DNA sample. Once a polynucleotide encoding a parent has been detected with a probe(s), the polynucleotide may be isolated or cloned by utilizing techniques that are known to those of ordinary skill in the art (see, e.g., Sambrook et al., 1989, supra).

The parent may be a hybrid polypeptide in which a portion of one polypeptide is fused at the N-terminus or the C-terminus of a portion of another polypeptide.

The parent may also be a fused polypeptide or cleavable fusion polypeptide in which one polypeptide is fused at the N-terminus or the C-terminus of another polypeptide. A fused polypeptide is produced by fusing a polynucleotide encoding one polypeptide to a polynucleotide encoding another polypeptide. Techniques for producing fusion polypeptides are known in the art, and include ligating the coding sequences encoding the polypeptides so that they are in frame and that expression of the fused polypeptide is under control of the same promoter(s) and terminator. Fusion proteins may also be constructed using intein technology in which fusions are created post-translationally (Cooper et al., 1993, EMBO J. 12: 2575-2583; Dawson et al., 1994, Science 266: 776-779).

A fusion polypeptide can further comprise a cleavage site between the two polypeptides. Upon secretion of the fusion protein, the site is cleaved releasing the two polypeptides. Examples of cleavage sites include, but are not limited to, the sites disclosed in Martin et al., 2003, J. Ind. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 3: 568-576; Svetina et al., 2000, J. Biotechnol. 76: 245-251; Rasmussen-Wilson et al., 1997, Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 63: 3488-3493; Ward et al., 1995, Biotechnology 13: 498-503; and Contreras et al., 1991, Biotechnology 9: 378-381; Eaton et al., 1986, Biochemistry 25: 505-512; Collins-Racie et al., 1995, Biotechnology 13: 982-987; Carter et al., 1989, Proteins: Structure, Function, and Genetics 6: 240-248; and Stevens, 2003, Drug Discovery World 4: 35-48.

Preparation of Variants

The present invention relates to a method for obtaining a variant having alpha-amylase activity, comprising (a) introducing into a parent alpha-amylase a modification at one or more positions corresponding to positions 1, 2, 3, 7, 26, 31, 37, 40, 41, 54, 56, 60, 63, 72, 73, 93, 94, 98, 103, 104, 105, 106, 109, 110, 111, 113, 114, 116, 117, 118, 123, 126, 128, 131, 132, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 140, 142, 144, 146, 151, 152, 155, 159, 160, 165, 167, 169, 172, 173, 174, 176, 177, 178, 180, 181, 182, 183, 185, 188, 189, 193, 194, 196, 202, 203, 205, 224, 225, 242, 243, 244, 252, 256, 258, 259, 260, 261, 266, 276, 279, 280, 283, 286, 302, 303, 315, 320, 321, 322, 323, 346, 354, 359, 360, 361, 362, 365, 371, 383, 390, 394, 395, 405, 409, 414, 420, 422, 427, 455, 457, 458, 470, 472, 473, 474, 475 and 476, using SEQ ID NO: 1 for numbering, wherein each modification is independently a substitution or deletion, and said variant has alpha-amylase activity; and (b) recovering said variant.

The method for obtaining a variant having alpha-amylase activity, comprising (a) introducing into a parent alpha-amylase a modification at one or more positions corresponding to positions 1, 2, 3, 7, 26, 31, 37, 40, 41, 54, 56, 60, 63, 72, 73, 93, 94, 98, 103, 104, 105, 106, 109, 110, 111, 113, 114, 116, 117, 118, 123, 126, 128, 131, 132, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 140, 142, 144, 146, 151, 152, 155, 159, 160, 165, 167, 169, 172, 173, 174, 176, 177, 178, 180, 181, 182, 183, 185, 188, 189, 193, 194, 196, 202, 203, 205, 224, 225, 242, 243, 244, 252, 256, 258, 259, 260, 261, 266, 276, 279, 280, 283, 286, 302, 303, 315, 320, 321, 322, 323, 346, 354, 359, 360, 361, 362, 365, 371, 383, 390, 394, 395, 405, 409, 414, 420, 422, 427, 455, 457, 458, 470, 472, 473, 474, 475 and 476 of the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein each modification is independently a substitution or deletion, and said variant has alpha-amylase activity; and (b) recovering said variant.

In one aspect, the method for obtaining a variant having alpha-amylase activity, comprising (a) introducing into a parent alpha-amylase a modification at one or more positions corresponding to positions 1, 2, 3, 7, 26, 31, 37, 40, 41, 54, 56, 60, 63, 72, 73, 93, 94, 98, 103, 104, 105, 106, 109, 110, 111, 113, 114, 116, 117, 118, 123, 126, 128, 131, 132, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 140, 142, 144, 146, 151, 152, 155, 159, 160, 165, 167, 169, 172, 173, 174, 176, 177, 178, 180, 181, 182, 183, 185, 188, 189, 193, 194, 196, 202, 203, 205, 224, 225, 242, 243, 244, 252, 256, 258, 259, 260, 261, 266, 276, 279, 280, 283, 286, 302, 303, 315, 320, 321, 322, 323, 346, 354, 359, 360, 361, 362, 365, 371, 383, 390, 394, 395, 405, 409, 414, 420, 422, 427, 455, 457, 458, 470, 472, 473, 474, 475 and 476 of the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NOs: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14, using SEQ ID NO: 1 for numbering, and wherein each modification is independently a substitution or deletion, and said variant has alpha-amylase activity; and (b) recovering said variant.

In one embodiment, the modification is a substitution. In one embodiment, the modification is a deletion.

In another embodiment, the method for obtaining a variant having alpha-amylase activity, comprising (a) introducing into a parent alpha-amylase a modification at one or more positions, wherein the modification is selected from H1*, H2*, N3D, N3G, N3S, G7A, G7H, G7S, R26Y, A31S, R37A, R37N, R37V, T40G, T40N, A41D, N54S, V56T, A60V, A60P, L63F, K72R, G73L, K93R, N94D, Q98L, V103A, V103I, V103L, V104M, M105I, M105L, N106D, A109G, G110K, A111G, A111L, G113Q, G113S, G113A, T114K, F116L, F116N, F116Q, F116W, V117G, D118Q, D118T, D123N, N126D, N128Y, T131I, T131V, S132D, S132L, T134D, Y135E, Q136T, Q136K, I137F, Q138V, W140S, W140M, W140Y, K142E, K142G, K142P, D144N, P146S, P146H, T151A, Y152L, F155W, W159H, W159L, Y160P, T165V, W167A, W167D, W167E, W167F, W167P, W167S, E169I, E169Q, E169V, K172G, K172Q, L173F, N174K, N174S, I176V, Y177D, K178A, R180*, R180Q, R180S, S181*, S181L, S181T, T182*, T182D, T182E, T182G, T182I, T182L, T182M, T182S, G183*, G183P, A185D, A185E, A185K, A185N, A185Q, A185R, W188C, E189P, E193I, N194F, F202Y, F202Y, A203F, L205F, L205N, L205Q, L205R, L205V, L205Y, T224F, T224Y, N225S, Y242F, Y242L, S243Q, F244I, F244L, V252I, T256A, T256D, K258V, E259G, E259V, M260D, M260W, F261K, F261P, F261S, F266Y, N276F, N276W, N276Y, N279S, N280F, N280W, N280Y, W283N, S286K, S286L, S302T, S302Y, G303R, T315A, H320T, P321H, P321Y, M322G, M322Y, H323A, H323N, H323W, W346N, L354V, E359W, Q360M, Q360W, Q360Y, G361M, Y362V, V365I, Y371S, Y371N, A383D, E390A, E390D, N394W, N394D, F395Y, D405G, I409L, R414M, H420P, H420A, H420Q, H420Y, N422V, T427L, G455R, K457N, K457R, R458S, N470A, N470M, S472R, V473C, N474F, N474L, G475E, G475K, G476H, G476E and G476A of the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1, and (b) recovering the variant.

In another embodiment, the method for obtaining a variant having alpha-amylase activity, comprising (a) introducing into a parent alpha-amylase a substitution at one or more positions, wherein the substitution is selected from N3D, N3G, N3S, G7A, G7H, G7S, R26Y, A31S, R37A, R37N, R37V, T40G, T40N, A41D, N54S, V56T, A60V, A60P, L63F, K72R, G73L, K93R, N94D, Q98L, V103A, V103I, V103L, V104M, M105I, M105L, N106D, A109G, G110K, A111G, A111L, G113Q, G113S, G113A, T114K, F116L, F116N, F116Q, F116W, V117G, D118Q, D118T, D123N, N126D, N128Y, T131I, T131V, S132D, S132L, T134D, Y135E, Q136T, Q136K, I137F, Q138V, W140S, W140M, W140Y, K142E, K142G, K142P, D144N, P146S, P146H, T151A, Y152L, F155W, W159H, W159L, Y160P, T165V, W167A, W167D, W167E, W167F, W167P, W167S, E169I, E169Q, E169V, K172G, K172Q, L173F, N174K, N174S, I176V, Y177D, K178A, R180Q, R180S, S181L, S181T, T182D, T182E, T182G, T182I, T182L, T182M, T182S, G183P, A185D, A185E, A185K, A185N, A185Q, A185R, W188C, E189P, E193I, N194F, F202Y, F202Y, A203F, L205F, L205N, L205Q, L205R, L205V, L205Y, T224F, T224Y, N225S, Y242F, Y242L, S243Q, F244I, F244L, V252I, T256A, T256D, K258V, E259G, E259V, M260D, M260W, F261K, F261P, F261S, F266Y, N276F, N276W, N276Y, N279S, N280F, N280W, N280Y, W283N, S286K, S286L, S302T, S302Y, G303R, T315A, H320T, P321H, P321Y, M322G, M322Y, H323A, H323N, H323W, W346N, L354V, E359W, Q360M, Q360W, Q360Y, G361M, Y362V, V365I, Y371S, Y371N, A383D, E390A, E390D, N394W, N394D, F395Y, D405G, I409L, R414M, H420P, H420A, H420Q, H420Y, N422V, T427L, G455R, K457N, K457R, R458S, N470A, N470M, S472R, V473C, N474F, N474L, G475E, G475K, G476H, G476E and G476A of the amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NOs: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14, using SEQ ID NO: 1 for numbering and (b) recovering the variant.

In one embodiment, the method further comprises introducing to the parent alpha-amylase a deletion in one or more positions, wherein the deletion is selected from: H1*, H2*, R180*, S181*, T182* and G183* of the polypeptide of SEQ ID Nos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14, using SEQ ID NO: 1 for numbering, and recovering the variant.

The variants may be prepared using any mutagenesis procedure known in the art, such as site-directed mutagenesis, synthetic gene construction, semi-synthetic gene construction, random mutagenesis, shuffling, etc.

Site-directed mutagenesis is a technique in which one or more (several) mutations are created at one or more defined sites in a polynucleotide encoding the parent.

Site-directed mutagenesis can be accomplished in vitro by PCR involving the use of oligonucleotide primers containing the desired mutation. Site-directed mutagenesis can also be performed in vitro by cassette mutagenesis involving the cleavage by a restriction enzyme at a site in the plasmid comprising a polynucleotide encoding the parent and subsequent ligation of an oligonucleotide containing the mutation in the polynucleotide. Usually the restriction enzyme that digests at the plasmid and the oligonucleotide is the same, permitting sticky ends of the plasmid and insert to ligate to one another. See, e.g., Scherer and Davis, 1979, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 76: 4949-4955; and Barton et al., 1990, Nucleic Acids Res. 18: 7349-4966.

Site-directed mutagenesis can also be accomplished in vivo by methods known in the art. See, e.g., U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0171154; Storici et al., 2001, Nature Biotechnol. 19: 773-776; Kren et al., 1998, Nat. Med. 4: 285-290; and Calissano and Macino, 1996, Fungal Genet. Newslett. 43: 15-16.

Any site-directed mutagenesis procedure can be used in the present invention. There are many commercial kits available that can be used to prepare variants.

Synthetic gene construction entails in vitro synthesis of a designed polynucleotide molecule to encode a polypeptide of interest. Gene synthesis can be performed utilizing a number of techniques, such as the multiplex microchip-based technology described by Tian et al. (2004, Nature 432: 1050-1054) and similar technologies wherein oligonucleotides are synthesized and assembled upon photo-programmable microfluidic chips.

Single or multiple amino acid substitutions, deletions, and/or insertions can be made and tested using known methods of mutagenesis, recombination, and/or shuffling, followed by a relevant screening procedure, such as those disclosed by Reidhaar-Olson and Sauer, 1988, Science 241: 53-57; Bowie and Sauer, 1989, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 86: 2152-2156; WO 95/17413; or WO 95/22625. Other methods that can be used include error-prone PCR, phage display (e.g., Lowman et al., 1991, Biochemistry 30: 10832-10837; U.S. Pat. No. 5,223,409; WO 92/06204) and region-directed mutagenesis (Derbyshire et al., 1986, Gene 46: 145; Ner et al., 1988, DNA 7: 127).

Mutagenesis/shuffling methods can be combined with high-throughput, automated screening methods to detect activity of cloned, mutagenized polypeptides expressed by host cells (Ness et al., 1999, Nature Biotechnology 17: 893-896). Mutagenized DNA molecules that encode active polypeptides can be recovered from the host cells and rapidly sequenced using standard methods in the art. These methods allow the rapid determination of the importance of individual amino acid residues in a polypeptide.

Semi-synthetic gene construction is accomplished by combining aspects of synthetic gene construction, and/or site-directed mutagenesis, and/or random mutagenesis, and/or shuffling. Semi-synthetic construction is typified by a process utilizing polynucleotide fragments that are synthesized, in combination with PCR techniques. Defined regions of genes may thus be synthesized de novo, while other regions may be amplified using site-specific mutagenic primers, while yet other regions may be subjected to error-prone PCR or non-error prone PCR amplification. Polynucleotide subsequences may then be shuffled.

Alpha-Amylase Variants

The present invention relates to alpha-amylase variants of a parent alpha-amylase comprising a modification at one or more positions corresponding to positions: 1, 2, 3, 7, 26, 31, 37, 40, 41, 54, 56, 60, 63, 72, 73, 93, 94, 98, 103, 104, 105, 106, 109, 110, 111, 113, 114, 116, 117, 118, 123, 126, 128, 131, 132, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 140, 142, 144, 146, 151, 152, 155, 159, 160, 165, 167, 169, 172, 173, 174, 176, 177, 178, 180, 181, 182, 183, 185, 188, 189, 193, 194, 196, 202, 203, 205, 224, 225, 242, 243, 244, 252, 256, 258, 259, 260, 261, 266, 276, 279, 280, 283, 286, 302, 303, 315, 320, 321, 322, 323, 346, 354, 359, 360, 361, 362, 365, 371, 383, 390, 394, 395, 405, 409, 414, 420, 422, 427, 455, 457, 458, 470, 472, 473, 474, 475 and 476, using SEQ ID NO: 1 for numbering and wherein said variant has alpha-amylase activity.

In one aspect, the alpha-amylase variants comprise a modification at one or more positions corresponding to positions: 1, 2, 3, 7, 26, 31, 37, 40, 41, 54, 56, 60, 63, 72, 73, 93, 94, 98, 103, 104, 105, 106, 109, 110, 111, 113, 114, 116, 117, 118, 123, 126, 128, 131, 132, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 140, 142, 144, 146, 151, 152, 155, 159, 160, 165, 167, 169, 172, 173, 174, 176, 177, 178, 180, 181, 182, 183, 185, 188, 189, 193, 194, 196, 202, 203, 205, 224, 225, 242, 243, 244, 252, 256, 258, 259, 260, 261, 266, 276, 279, 280, 283, 286, 302, 303, 315, 320, 321, 322, 323, 346, 354, 359, 360, 361, 362, 365, 371, 383, 390, 394, 395, 405, 409, 414, 420, 422, 427, 455, 457, 458, 470, 472, 473, 474, 475 and 476, using SEQ ID NO: 1 for numbering and wherein said variant has alpha-amylase activity and wherein said variant has at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, but less than 100% sequence identity sequence identity to SEQ ID No: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14.

In one aspect, the alpha-amylase variants comprise a modification at one or more positions corresponding to positions: 1, 2, 3, 7, 26, 31, 37, 40, 41, 54, 56, 60, 63, 72, 73, 93, 94, 98, 103, 104, 105, 106, 109, 110, 111, 113, 114, 116, 117, 118, 123, 126, 128, 131, 132, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 140, 142, 144, 146, 151, 152, 155, 159, 160, 165, 167, 169, 172, 173, 174, 176, 177, 178, 180, 181, 182, 183, 185, 188, 189, 193, 194, 196, 202, 203, 205, 224, 225, 242, 243, 244, 252, 256, 258, 259, 260, 261, 266, 276, 279, 280, 283, 286, 302, 303, 315, 320, 321, 322, 323, 346, 354, 359, 360, 361, 362, 365, 371, 383, 390, 394, 395, 405, 409, 414, 420, 422, 427, 455, 457, 458, 470, 472, 473, 474, 475 and 476, using SEQ ID NO: 1 for numbering and wherein said variant has alpha-amylase activity and wherein said variant has at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, but less than 100% sequence identity sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14 and wherein the alpha-amylase variant has an improved property relative to said parent polypeptide.

In one aspect, alpha-amylase variants comprising a modification at one or more positions corresponding to positions: 1, 2, 3, 7, 26, 31, 37, 40, 41, 54, 56, 60, 63, 72, 73, 93, 94, 98, 103, 104, 105, 106, 109, 110, 111, 113, 114, 116, 117, 118, 123, 126, 128, 131, 132, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 140, 142, 144, 146, 151, 152, 155, 159, 160, 165, 167, 169, 172, 173, 174, 176, 177, 178, 180, 181, 182, 183, 185, 188, 189, 193, 194, 196, 202, 203, 205, 224, 225, 242, 243, 244, 252, 256, 258, 259, 260, 261, 266, 276, 279, 280, 283, 286, 302, 303, 315, 320, 321, 322, 323, 346, 354, 359, 360, 361, 362, 365, 371, 383, 390, 394, 395, 405, 409, 414, 420, 422, 427, 455, 457, 458, 470, 472, 473, 474, 475 and 476, using SEQ ID NO: 1 for numbering, and the variant has alpha-amylase activity and wherein the alpha-amylase variant has an improved property relative to said parent polypeptide.

In another embodiment, the variant at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, but less than 100% sequence identity to the parent polypeptide.

In an embodiment, the variant has sequence identity of at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, but less than 100% to the hybrid polypeptide.

In another embodiment, the variant has at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, but less than 100% sequence identity to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In one aspect, the substituted amino acid residue is different from the naturally-occurring amino acid residue in that position. In one embodiment, the substitution is selected from the group consisting of A, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, V, W and Y, with the proviso that the substituted amino acid residue is different from the naturally-occurring amino acid residue in that position.

In one aspect, the number of modifications is 1-50, e.g., 1-45, 1-40, 1-35, 1-30, 1-25, 1-20, 1-15, 1-10 or 1-5, such as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49 or 50 modifications.

In one aspect, the number of substitutions is 1-50, e.g., 1-45, 1-40, 1-35, 1-30, 1-25, 1-20, 1-15, 1-10 or 1-5, such as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49 or 50 substitutions.

In one aspect, the number of deletions is 1-50, e.g., 1-45, 1-40, 1-35, 1-30, 1-25, 1-20, 1-15, 1-10 or 1-5, such as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49 or 50 deletions.

The above-mentioned variants having substitutions should be understood as encompassing all possible combinations of one or more substitutions at the specified positions.

In one aspect, the alpha-amylase variants comprise a modification at one or more positions corresponding to positions: 1, 2, 3, 7, 26, 31, 37, 40, 41, 54, 56, 60, 63, 72, 73, 93, 94, 98, 103, 104, 105, 106, 109, 110, 111, 113, 114, 116, 117, 118, 123, 126, 128, 131, 132, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 140, 142, 144, 146, 151, 152, 155, 159, 160, 165, 167, 169, 172, 173, 174, 176, 177, 178, 180, 181, 182, 183, 185, 188, 189, 193, 194, 196, 202, 203, 205, 224, 225, 242, 243, 244, 252, 256, 258, 259, 260, 261, 266, 276, 279, 280, 283, 286, 302, 303, 315, 320, 321, 322, 323, 346, 354, 359, 360, 361, 362, 365, 371, 383, 390, 394, 395, 405, 409, 414, 420, 422, 427, 455, 457, 458, 470, 472, 473, 474, 475 and 476, using SEQ ID NO: 1 for numbering and wherein said variant has alpha-amylase activity and wherein said variant has at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, but less than 100% sequence identity sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14.

In one aspect, the alpha-amylase variants comprising a modification at one or more (e.g., several) positions corresponding to positions: 1, 2, 3, 7, 26, 31, 37, 40, 41, 54, 56, 60, 63, 72, 73, 93, 94, 98, 103, 104, 105, 106, 109, 110, 111, 113, 114, 116, 117, 118, 123, 126, 128, 131, 132, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 140, 142, 144, 146, 151, 152, 155, 159, 160, 165, 167, 169, 172, 173, 174, 176, 177, 178, 180, 181, 182, 183, 185, 188, 189, 193, 194, 196, 202, 203, 205, 224, 225, 242, 243, 244, 252, 256, 258, 259, 260, 261, 266, 276, 279, 280, 283, 286, 302, 303, 315, 320, 321, 322, 323, 346, 354, 359, 360, 361, 362, 365, 371, 383, 390, 394, 395, 405, 409, 414, 420, 422, 427, 455, 457, 458, 470, 472, 473, 474, 475 and 476, using SEQ ID NO: 1 for numbering and wherein said variant has alpha-amylase activity and wherein said variant has at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, but less than 100% sequence identity sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14.

In another aspect, alpha-amylase variant comprises a modification at two positions corresponding to positions: 1, 2, 3, 7, 26, 31, 37, 40, 41, 54, 56, 60, 63, 72, 73, 93, 94, 98, 103, 104, 105, 106, 109, 110, 111, 113, 114, 116, 117, 118, 123, 126, 128, 131, 132, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 140, 142, 144, 146, 151, 152, 155, 159, 160, 165, 167, 169, 172, 173, 174, 176, 177, 178, 180, 181, 182, 183, 185, 188, 189, 193, 194, 196, 202, 203, 205, 224, 225, 242, 243, 244, 252, 256, 258, 259, 260, 261, 266, 276, 279, 280, 283, 286, 302, 303, 315, 320, 321, 322, 323, 346, 354, 359, 360, 361, 362, 365, 371, 383, 390, 394, 395, 405, 409, 414, 420, 422, 427, 455, 457, 458, 470, 472, 473, 474, 475 and 476, using SEQ ID NO: 1 for numbering and wherein said variant has alpha-amylase activity and wherein said variant has at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, but less than 100% sequence identity sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14.

In another aspect, alpha-amylase variant comprises a modification at three positions corresponding to positions: 1, 2, 3, 7, 26, 31, 37, 40, 41, 54, 56, 60, 63, 72, 73, 93, 94, 98, 103, 104, 105, 106, 109, 110, 111, 113, 114, 116, 117, 118, 123, 126, 128, 131, 132, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 140, 142, 144, 146, 151, 152, 155, 159, 160, 165, 167, 169, 172, 173, 174, 176, 177, 178, 180, 181, 182, 183, 185, 188, 189, 193, 194, 196, 202, 203, 205, 224, 225, 242, 243, 244, 252, 256, 258, 259, 260, 261, 266, 276, 279, 280, 283, 286, 302, 303, 315, 320, 321, 322, 323, 346, 354, 359, 360, 361, 362, 365, 371, 383, 390, 394, 395, 405, 409, 414, 420, 422, 427, 455, 457, 458, 470, 472, 473, 474, 475 and 476, using SEQ ID NO: 1 for numbering and wherein said variant has alpha-amylase activity and wherein said variant has at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, but less than 100% sequence identity sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14.

In another aspect, alpha-amylase variant comprises a modification at four positions corresponding to positions: 1, 2, 3, 7, 26, 31, 37, 40, 41, 54, 56, 60, 63, 72, 73, 93, 94, 98, 103, 104, 105, 106, 109, 110, 111, 113, 114, 116, 117, 118, 123, 126, 128, 131, 132, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 140, 142, 144, 146, 151, 152, 155, 159, 160, 165, 167, 169, 172, 173, 174, 176, 177, 178, 180, 181, 182, 183, 185, 188, 189, 193, 194, 196, 202, 203, 205, 224, 225, 242, 243, 244, 252, 256, 258, 259, 260, 261, 266, 276, 279, 280, 283, 286, 302, 303, 315, 320, 321, 322, 323, 346, 354, 359, 360, 361, 362, 365, 371, 383, 390, 394, 395, 405, 409, 414, 420, 422, 427, 455, 457, 458, 470, 472, 473, 474, 475 and 476, using SEQ ID NO: 1 for numbering and wherein said variant has alpha-amylase activity and wherein said variant has at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, but less than 100% sequence identity sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14.

In another aspect, alpha-amylase variant comprises a modification at five positions corresponding to positions: 1, 2, 3, 7, 26, 31, 37, 40, 41, 54, 56, 60, 63, 72, 73, 93, 94, 98, 103, 104, 105, 106, 109, 110, 111, 113, 114, 116, 117, 118, 123, 126, 128, 131, 132, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 140, 142, 144, 146, 151, 152, 155, 159, 160, 165, 167, 169, 172, 173, 174, 176, 177, 178, 180, 181, 182, 183, 185, 188, 189, 193, 194, 196, 202, 203, 205, 224, 225, 242, 243, 244, 252, 256, 258, 259, 260, 261, 266, 276, 279, 280, 283, 286, 302, 303, 315, 320, 321, 322, 323, 346, 354, 359, 360, 361, 362, 365, 371, 383, 390, 394, 395, 405, 409, 414, 420, 422, 427, 455, 457, 458, 470, 472, 473, 474, 475 and 476, using SEQ ID NO: 1 for numbering and wherein said variant has alpha-amylase activity and wherein said variant has at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, but less than 100% sequence identity sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14.

In another aspect, alpha-amylase variant comprises a modification at six positions corresponding to positions: 1, 2, 3, 7, 26, 31, 37, 40, 41, 54, 56, 60, 63, 72, 73, 93, 94, 98, 103, 104, 105, 106, 109, 110, 111, 113, 114, 116, 117, 118, 123, 126, 128, 131, 132, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 140, 142, 144, 146, 151, 152, 155, 159, 160, 165, 167, 169, 172, 173, 174, 176, 177, 178, 180, 181, 182, 183, 185, 188, 189, 193, 194, 196, 202, 203, 205, 224, 225, 242, 243, 244, 252, 256, 258, 259, 260, 261, 266, 276, 279, 280, 283, 286, 302, 303, 315, 320, 321, 322, 323, 346, 354, 359, 360, 361, 362, 365, 371, 383, 390, 394, 395, 405, 409, 414, 420, 422, 427, 455, 457, 458, 470, 472, 473, 474, 475 and 476, using SEQ ID NO: 1 for numbering and wherein said variant has alpha-amylase activity and wherein said variant has at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, but less than 100% sequence identity sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14.

In another aspect, alpha-amylase variant comprises a modification at seven positions corresponding to positions: 1, 2, 3, 7, 26, 31, 37, 40, 41, 54, 56, 60, 63, 72, 73, 93, 94, 98, 103, 104, 105, 106, 109, 110, 111, 113, 114, 116, 117, 118, 123, 126, 128, 131, 132, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 140, 142, 144, 146, 151, 152, 155, 159, 160, 165, 167, 169, 172, 173, 174, 176, 177, 178, 180, 181, 182, 183, 185, 188, 189, 193, 194, 196, 202, 203, 205, 224, 225, 242, 243, 244, 252, 256, 258, 259, 260, 261, 266, 276, 279, 280, 283, 286, 302, 303, 315, 320, 321, 322, 323, 346, 354, 359, 360, 361, 362, 365, 371, 383, 390, 394, 395, 405, 409, 414, 420, 422, 427, 455, 457, 458, 470, 472, 473, 474, 475 and 476, using SEQ ID NO: 1 for numbering and wherein said variant has alpha-amylase activity and wherein said variant has at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, but less than 100% sequence identity sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14.

In another aspect, alpha-amylase variant comprises a modification at eight positions corresponding to positions: 1, 2, 3, 7, 26, 31, 37, 40, 41, 54, 56, 60, 63, 72, 73, 93, 94, 98, 103, 104, 105, 106, 109, 110, 111, 113, 114, 116, 117, 118, 123, 126, 128, 131, 132, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 140, 142, 144, 146, 151, 152, 155, 159, 160, 165, 167, 169, 172, 173, 174, 176, 177, 178, 180, 181, 182, 183, 185, 188, 189, 193, 194, 196, 202, 203, 205, 224, 225, 242, 243, 244, 252, 256, 258, 259, 260, 261, 266, 276, 279, 280, 283, 286, 302, 303, 315, 320, 321, 322, 323, 346, 354, 359, 360, 361, 362, 365, 371, 383, 390, 394, 395, 405, 409, 414, 420, 422, 427, 455, 457, 458, 470, 472, 473, 474, 475 and 476, using SEQ ID NO: 1 for numbering and wherein said variant has alpha-amylase activity and wherein said variant has at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, but less than 100% sequence identity sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14.

In another aspect, alpha-amylase variant comprises a modification at nine positions corresponding to positions: 1, 2, 3, 7, 26, 31, 37, 40, 41, 54, 56, 60, 63, 72, 73, 93, 94, 98, 103, 104, 105, 106, 109, 110, 111, 113, 114, 116, 117, 118, 123, 126, 128, 131, 132, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 140, 142, 144, 146, 151, 152, 155, 159, 160, 165, 167, 169, 172, 173, 174, 176, 177, 178, 180, 181, 182, 183, 185, 188, 189, 193, 194, 196, 202, 203, 205, 224, 225, 242, 243, 244, 252, 256, 258, 259, 260, 261, 266, 276, 279, 280, 283, 286, 302, 303, 315, 320, 321, 322, 323, 346, 354, 359, 360, 361, 362, 365, 371, 383, 390, 394, 395, 405, 409, 414, 420, 422, 427, 455, 457, 458, 470, 472, 473, 474, 475 and 476, using SEQ ID NO: 1 for numbering and wherein said variant has alpha-amylase activity and wherein said variant has at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, but less than 100% sequence identity sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14.

In another aspect, alpha-amylase variant comprises a modification at ten positions corresponding to positions: 1, 2, 3, 7, 26, 31, 37, 40, 41, 54, 56, 60, 63, 72, 73, 93, 94, 98, 103, 104, 105, 106, 109, 110, 111, 113, 114, 116, 117, 118, 123, 126, 128, 131, 132, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 140, 142, 144, 146, 151, 152, 155, 159, 160, 165, 167, 169, 172, 173, 174, 176, 177, 178, 180, 181, 182, 183, 185, 188, 189, 193, 194, 196, 202, 203, 205, 224, 225, 242, 243, 244, 252, 256, 258, 259, 260, 261, 266, 276, 279, 280, 283, 286, 302, 303, 315, 320, 321, 322, 323, 346, 354, 359, 360, 361, 362, 365, 371, 383, 390, 394, 395, 405, 409, 414, 420, 422, 427, 455, 457, 458, 470, 472, 473, 474, 475 and 476, using SEQ ID NO: 1 for numbering and wherein said variant has alpha-amylase activity and wherein said variant has at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, but less than 100% sequence identity sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14.

In another aspect, alpha-amylase variant comprises a modification at eleven positions corresponding to positions: 1, 2, 3, 7, 26, 31, 37, 40, 41, 54, 56, 60, 63, 72, 73, 93, 94, 98, 103, 104, 105, 106, 109, 110, 111, 113, 114, 116, 117, 118, 123, 126, 128, 131, 132, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 140, 142, 144, 146, 151, 152, 155, 159, 160, 165, 167, 169, 172, 173, 174, 176, 177, 178, 180, 181, 182, 183, 185, 188, 189, 193, 194, 196, 202, 203, 205, 224, 225, 242, 243, 244, 252, 256, 258, 259, 260, 261, 266, 276, 279, 280, 283, 286, 302, 303, 315, 320, 321, 322, 323, 346, 354, 359, 360, 361, 362, 365, 371, 383, 390, 394, 395, 405, 409, 414, 420, 422, 427, 455, 457, 458, 470, 472, 473, 474, 475 and 476, using SEQ ID NO: 1 for numbering and wherein said variant has alpha-amylase activity and wherein said variant has at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, but less than 100% sequence identity sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14.

In another aspect, alpha-amylase variant comprises a modification at twelve positions corresponding to positions: 1, 2, 3, 7, 26, 31, 37, 40, 41, 54, 56, 60, 63, 72, 73, 93, 94, 98, 103, 104, 105, 106, 109, 110, 111, 113, 114, 116, 117, 118, 123, 126, 128, 131, 132, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 140, 142, 144, 146, 151, 152, 155, 159, 160, 165, 167, 169, 172, 173, 174, 176, 177, 178, 180, 181, 182, 183, 185, 188, 189, 193, 194, 196, 202, 203, 205, 224, 225, 242, 243, 244, 252, 256, 258, 259, 260, 261, 266, 276, 279, 280, 283, 286, 302, 303, 315, 320, 321, 322, 323, 346, 354, 359, 360, 361, 362, 365, 371, 383, 390, 394, 395, 405, 409, 414, 420, 422, 427, 455, 457, 458, 470, 472, 473, 474, 475 and 476, using SEQ ID NO: 1 for numbering and wherein said variant has alpha-amylase activity and wherein said variant has at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, but less than 100% sequence identity sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14.

In another aspect, alpha-amylase variant comprises a modification at thirteen positions corresponding to positions: 1, 2, 3, 7, 26, 31, 37, 40, 41, 54, 56, 60, 63, 72, 73, 93, 94, 98, 103, 104, 105, 106, 109, 110, 111, 113, 114, 116, 117, 118, 123, 126, 128, 131, 132, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 140, 142, 144, 146, 151, 152, 155, 159, 160, 165, 167, 169, 172, 173, 174, 176, 177, 178, 180, 181, 182, 183, 185, 188, 189, 193, 194, 196, 202, 203, 205, 224, 225, 242, 243, 244, 252, 256, 258, 259, 260, 261, 266, 276, 279, 280, 283, 286, 302, 303, 315, 320, 321, 322, 323, 346, 354, 359, 360, 361, 362, 365, 371, 383, 390, 394, 395, 405, 409, 414, 420, 422, 427, 455, 457, 458, 470, 472, 473, 474, 475 and 476, using SEQ ID NO: 1 for numbering and wherein said variant has alpha-amylase activity and wherein said variant has at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, but less than 100% sequence identity sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14.

In another aspect, alpha-amylase variant comprises a modification at fourteen positions corresponding to positions: 1, 2, 3, 7, 26, 31, 37, 40, 41, 54, 56, 60, 63, 72, 73, 93, 94, 98, 103, 104, 105, 106, 109, 110, 111, 113, 114, 116, 117, 118, 123, 126, 128, 131, 132, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 140, 142, 144, 146, 151, 152, 155, 159, 160, 165, 167, 169, 172, 173, 174, 176, 177, 178, 180, 181, 182, 183, 185, 188, 189, 193, 194, 196, 202, 203, 205, 224, 225, 242, 243, 244, 252, 256, 258, 259, 260, 261, 266, 276, 279, 280, 283, 286, 302, 303, 315, 320, 321, 322, 323, 346, 354, 359, 360, 361, 362, 365, 371, 383, 390, 394, 395, 405, 409, 414, 420, 422, 427, 455, 457, 458, 470, 472, 473, 474, 475 and 476, using SEQ ID NO: 1 for numbering and wherein said variant has alpha-amylase activity and wherein said variant has at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, but less than 100% sequence identity sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14.

In another aspect, alpha-amylase variant comprises a modification at fifteen positions corresponding to positions: 1, 2, 3, 7, 26, 31, 37, 40, 41, 54, 56, 60, 63, 72, 73, 93, 94, 98, 103, 104, 105, 106, 109, 110, 111, 113, 114, 116, 117, 118, 123, 126, 128, 131, 132, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 140, 142, 144, 146, 151, 152, 155, 159, 160, 165, 167, 169, 172, 173, 174, 176, 177, 178, 180, 181, 182, 183, 185, 188, 189, 193, 194, 196, 202, 203, 205, 224, 225, 242, 243, 244, 252, 256, 258, 259, 260, 261, 266, 276, 279, 280, 283, 286, 302, 303, 315, 320, 321, 322, 323, 346, 354, 359, 360, 361, 362, 365, 371, 383, 390, 394, 395, 405, 409, 414, 420, 422, 427, 455, 457, 458, 470, 472, 473, 474, 475 and 476, using SEQ ID NO: 1 for numbering and wherein said variant has alpha-amylase activity and wherein said variant has at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, but less than 100% sequence identity sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14.

In another aspect, alpha-amylase variant comprises a modification at sixteen positions corresponding to positions: 1, 2, 3, 7, 26, 31, 37, 40, 41, 54, 56, 60, 63, 72, 73, 93, 94, 98, 103, 104, 105, 106, 109, 110, 111, 113, 114, 116, 117, 118, 123, 126, 128, 131, 132, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 140, 142, 144, 146, 151, 152, 155, 159, 160, 165, 167, 169, 172, 173, 174, 176, 177, 178, 180, 181, 182, 183, 185, 188, 189, 193, 194, 196, 202, 203, 205, 224, 225, 242, 243, 244, 252, 256, 258, 259, 260, 261, 266, 276, 279, 280, 283, 286, 302, 303, 315, 320, 321, 322, 323, 346, 354, 359, 360, 361, 362, 365, 371, 383, 390, 394, 395, 405, 409, 414, 420, 422, 427, 455, 457, 458, 470, 472, 473, 474, 475 and 476, using SEQ ID NO: 1 for numbering and wherein said variant has alpha-amylase activity and wherein said variant has at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, but less than 100% sequence identity sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14.

In another aspect, alpha-amylase variant comprises a modification at seventeen positions corresponding to positions: 1, 2, 3, 7, 26, 31, 37, 40, 41, 54, 56, 60, 63, 72, 73, 93, 94, 98, 103, 104, 105, 106, 109, 110, 111, 113, 114, 116, 117, 118, 123, 126, 128, 131, 132, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 140, 142, 144, 146, 151, 152, 155, 159, 160, 165, 167, 169, 172, 173, 174, 176, 177, 178, 180, 181, 182, 183, 185, 188, 189, 193, 194, 196, 202, 203, 205, 224, 225, 242, 243, 244, 252, 256, 258, 259, 260, 261, 266, 276, 279, 280, 283, 286, 302, 303, 315, 320, 321, 322, 323, 346, 354, 359, 360, 361, 362, 365, 371, 383, 390, 394, 395, 405, 409, 414, 420, 422, 427, 455, 457, 458, 470, 472, 473, 474, 475 and 476, using SEQ ID NO: 1 for numbering and wherein said variant has alpha-amylase activity and wherein said variant has at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, but less than 100% sequence identity sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14.

In another aspect, alpha-amylase variant comprises a modification at eighteen positions corresponding to positions: 1, 2, 3, 7, 26, 31, 37, 40, 41, 54, 56, 60, 63, 72, 73, 93, 94, 98, 103, 104, 105, 106, 109, 110, 111, 113, 114, 116, 117, 118, 123, 126, 128, 131, 132, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 140, 142, 144, 146, 151, 152, 155, 159, 160, 165, 167, 169, 172, 173, 174, 176, 177, 178, 180, 181, 182, 183, 185, 188, 189, 193, 194, 196, 202, 203, 205, 224, 225, 242, 243, 244, 252, 256, 258, 259, 260, 261, 266, 276, 279, 280, 283, 286, 302, 303, 315, 320, 321, 322, 323, 346, 354, 359, 360, 361, 362, 365, 371, 383, 390, 394, 395, 405, 409, 414, 420, 422, 427, 455, 457, 458, 470, 472, 473, 474, 475 and 476, using SEQ ID NO: 1 for numbering and wherein said variant has alpha-amylase activity and wherein said variant has at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, but less than 100% sequence identity sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14.

In another aspect, alpha-amylase variant comprises a modification at nineteen positions corresponding to positions: 1, 2, 3, 7, 26, 31, 37, 40, 41, 54, 56, 60, 63, 72, 73, 93, 94, 98, 103, 104, 105, 106, 109, 110, 111, 113, 114, 116, 117, 118, 123, 126, 128, 131, 132, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 140, 142, 144, 146, 151, 152, 155, 159, 160, 165, 167, 169, 172, 173, 174, 176, 177, 178, 180, 181, 182, 183, 185, 188, 189, 193, 194, 196, 202, 203, 205, 224, 225, 242, 243, 244, 252, 256, 258, 259, 260, 261, 266, 276, 279, 280, 283, 286, 302, 303, 315, 320, 321, 322, 323, 346, 354, 359, 360, 361, 362, 365, 371, 383, 390, 394, 395, 405, 409, 414, 420, 422, 427, 455, 457, 458, 470, 472, 473, 474, 475 and 476, using SEQ ID NO: 1 for numbering and wherein said variant has alpha-amylase activity and wherein said variant has at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, but less than 100% sequence identity sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14.

In another aspect, alpha-amylase variant comprises a modification at twenty positions corresponding to positions: 1, 2, 3, 7, 26, 31, 37, 40, 41, 54, 56, 60, 63, 72, 73, 93, 94, 98, 103, 104, 105, 106, 109, 110, 111, 113, 114, 116, 117, 118, 123, 126, 128, 131, 132, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 140, 142, 144, 146, 151, 152, 155, 159, 160, 165, 167, 169, 172, 173, 174, 176, 177, 178, 180, 181, 182, 183, 185, 188, 189, 193, 194, 196, 202, 203, 205, 224, 225, 242, 243, 244, 252, 256, 258, 259, 260, 261, 266, 276, 279, 280, 283, 286, 302, 303, 315, 320, 321, 322, 323, 346, 354, 359, 360, 361, 362, 365, 371, 383, 390, 394, 395, 405, 409, 414, 420, 422, 427, 455, 457, 458, 470, 472, 473, 474, 475 and 476, using SEQ ID NO: 1 for numbering and wherein said variant has alpha-amylase activity and wherein said variant has at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, but less than 100% sequence identity sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14.

In another aspect, alpha-amylase variant comprises a modification at twenty one positions corresponding to positions: 1, 2, 3, 7, 26, 31, 37, 40, 41, 54, 56, 60, 63, 72, 73, 93, 94, 98, 103, 104, 105, 106, 109, 110, 111, 113, 114, 116, 117, 118, 123, 126, 128, 131, 132, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 140, 142, 144, 146, 151, 152, 155, 159, 160, 165, 167, 169, 172, 173, 174, 176, 177, 178, 180, 181, 182, 183, 185, 188, 189, 193, 194, 196, 202, 203, 205, 224, 225, 242, 243, 244, 252, 256, 258, 259, 260, 261, 266, 276, 279, 280, 283, 286, 302, 303, 315, 320, 321, 322, 323, 346, 354, 359, 360, 361, 362, 365, 371, 383, 390, 394, 395, 405, 409, 414, 420, 422, 427, 455, 457, 458, 470, 472, 473, 474, 475 and 476, using SEQ ID NO: 1 for numbering and wherein said variant has alpha-amylase activity and wherein said variant has at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, but less than 100% sequence identity sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14.

In another aspect, alpha-amylase variant comprises a modification at twenty two positions corresponding to positions: 1, 2, 3, 7, 26, 31, 37, 40, 41, 54, 56, 60, 63, 72, 73, 93, 94, 98, 103, 104, 105, 106, 109, 110, 111, 113, 114, 116, 117, 118, 123, 126, 128, 131, 132, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 140, 142, 144, 146, 151, 152, 155, 159, 160, 165, 167, 169, 172, 173, 174, 176, 177, 178, 180, 181, 182, 183, 185, 188, 189, 193, 194, 196, 202, 203, 205, 224, 225, 242, 243, 244, 252, 256, 258, 259, 260, 261, 266, 276, 279, 280, 283, 286, 302, 303, 315, 320, 321, 322, 323, 346, 354, 359, 360, 361, 362, 365, 371, 383, 390, 394, 395, 405, 409, 414, 420, 422, 427, 455, 457, 458, 470, 472, 473, 474, 475 and 476, using SEQ ID NO: 1 for numbering and wherein said variant has alpha-amylase activity and wherein said variant has at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, but less than 100% sequence identity sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14.

In another aspect, alpha-amylase variant comprises a modification at twenty three positions corresponding to positions: 1, 2, 3, 7, 26, 31, 37, 40, 41, 54, 56, 60, 63, 72, 73, 93, 94, 98, 103, 104, 105, 106, 109, 110, 111, 113, 114, 116, 117, 118, 123, 126, 128, 131, 132, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 140, 142, 144, 146, 151, 152, 155, 159, 160, 165, 167, 169, 172, 173, 174, 176, 177, 178, 180, 181, 182, 183, 185, 188, 189, 193, 194, 196, 202, 203, 205, 224, 225, 242, 243, 244, 252, 256, 258, 259, 260, 261, 266, 276, 279, 280, 283, 286, 302, 303, 315, 320, 321, 322, 323, 346, 354, 359, 360, 361, 362, 365, 371, 383, 390, 394, 395, 405, 409, 414, 420, 422, 427, 455, 457, 458, 470, 472, 473, 474, 475 and 476, using SEQ ID NO: 1 for numbering and wherein said variant has alpha-amylase activity and wherein said variant has at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, but less than 100% sequence identity sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14.

In another aspect, alpha-amylase variant comprises a modification at twenty four positions corresponding to positions: 1, 2, 3, 7, 26, 31, 37, 40, 41, 54, 56, 60, 63, 72, 73, 93, 94, 98, 103, 104, 105, 106, 109, 110, 111, 113, 114, 116, 117, 118, 123, 126, 128, 131, 132, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 140, 142, 144, 146, 151, 152, 155, 159, 160, 165, 167, 169, 172, 173, 174, 176, 177, 178, 180, 181, 182, 183, 185, 188, 189, 193, 194, 196, 202, 203, 205, 224, 225, 242, 243, 244, 252, 256, 258, 259, 260, 261, 266, 276, 279, 280, 283, 286, 302, 303, 315, 320, 321, 322, 323, 346, 354, 359, 360, 361, 362, 365, 371, 383, 390, 394, 395, 405, 409, 414, 420, 422, 427, 455, 457, 458, 470, 472, 473, 474, 475 and 476, using SEQ ID NO: 1 for numbering and wherein said variant has alpha-amylase activity and wherein said variant has at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, but less than 100% sequence identity sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14.

In another aspect, alpha-amylase variant comprises a modification at twenty five positions corresponding to positions: 1, 2, 3, 7, 26, 31, 37, 40, 41, 54, 56, 60, 63, 72, 73, 93, 94, 98, 103, 104, 105, 106, 109, 110, 111, 113, 114, 116, 117, 118, 123, 126, 128, 131, 132, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 140, 142, 144, 146, 151, 152, 155, 159, 160, 165, 167, 169, 172, 173, 174, 176, 177, 178, 180, 181, 182, 183, 185, 188, 189, 193, 194, 196, 202, 203, 205, 224, 225, 242, 243, 244, 252, 256, 258, 259, 260, 261, 266, 276, 279, 280, 283, 286, 302, 303, 315, 320, 321, 322, 323, 346, 354, 359, 360, 361, 362, 365, 371, 383, 390, 394, 395, 405, 409, 414, 420, 422, 427, 455, 457, 458, 470, 472, 473, 474, 475 and 476, using SEQ ID NO: 1 for numbering and wherein said variant has alpha-amylase activity and wherein said variant has at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, but less than 100% sequence identity sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14.

In another aspect, alpha-amylase variant comprises a modification at twenty six positions corresponding to positions: 1, 2, 3, 7, 26, 31, 37, 40, 41, 54, 56, 60, 63, 72, 73, 93, 94, 98, 103, 104, 105, 106, 109, 110, 111, 113, 114, 116, 117, 118, 123, 126, 128, 131, 132, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 140, 142, 144, 146, 151, 152, 155, 159, 160, 165, 167, 169, 172, 173, 174, 176, 177, 178, 180, 181, 182, 183, 185, 188, 189, 193, 194, 196, 202, 203, 205, 224, 225, 242, 243, 244, 252, 256, 258, 259, 260, 261, 266, 276, 279, 280, 283, 286, 302, 303, 315, 320, 321, 322, 323, 346, 354, 359, 360, 361, 362, 365, 371, 383, 390, 394, 395, 405, 409, 414, 420, 422, 427, 455, 457, 458, 470, 472, 473, 474, 475 and 476, using SEQ ID NO: 1 for numbering and wherein said variant has alpha-amylase activity and wherein said variant has at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, but less than 100% sequence identity sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14.

In another aspect, alpha-amylase variant comprises a modification at twenty seven positions corresponding to positions: 1, 2, 3, 7, 26, 31, 37, 40, 41, 54, 56, 60, 63, 72, 73, 93, 94, 98, 103, 104, 105, 106, 109, 110, 111, 113, 114, 116, 117, 118, 123, 126, 128, 131, 132, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 140, 142, 144, 146, 151, 152, 155, 159, 160, 165, 167, 169, 172, 173, 174, 176, 177, 178, 180, 181, 182, 183, 185, 188, 189, 193, 194, 196, 202, 203, 205, 224, 225, 242, 243, 244, 252, 256, 258, 259, 260, 261, 266, 276, 279, 280, 283, 286, 302, 303, 315, 320, 321, 322, 323, 346, 354, 359, 360, 361, 362, 365, 371, 383, 390, 394, 395, 405, 409, 414, 420, 422, 427, 455, 457, 458, 470, 472, 473, 474, 475 and 476, using SEQ ID NO: 1 for numbering and wherein said variant has alpha-amylase activity and wherein said variant has at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, but less than 100% sequence identity sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14.

In another aspect, alpha-amylase variant comprises a modification at each positions corresponding to positions: 1, 2, 3, 7, 26, 31, 37, 40, 41, 54, 56, 60, 63, 72, 73, 93, 94, 98, 103, 104, 105, 106, 109, 110, 111, 113, 114, 116, 117, 118, 123, 126, 128, 131, 132, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 140, 142, 144, 146, 151, 152, 155, 159, 160, 165, 167, 169, 172, 173, 174, 176, 177, 178, 180, 181, 182, 183, 185, 188, 189, 193, 194, 196, 202, 203, 205, 224, 225, 242, 243, 244, 252, 256, 258, 259, 260, 261, 266, 276, 279, 280, 283, 286, 302, 303, 315, 320, 321, 322, 323, 346, 354, 359, 360, 361, 362, 365, 371, 383, 390, 394, 395, 405, 409, 414, 420, 422, 427, 455, 457, 458, 470, 472, 473, 474, 475 and 476, using SEQ ID NO: 1 for numbering and wherein said variant has alpha-amylase activity and wherein said variant has at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, but less than 100% sequence identity sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a deletion at a position corresponding to position 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 1 is deleted of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of deletion H1* of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1 In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a deletion at a position corresponding to position 2. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 2 is deleted of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of deletion H2* of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 3 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 3 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution N3S or N3D or N3G of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 7 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 7 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution G7A or G7H or G7S of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 26 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 26 is substituted with Ala, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution R26Y of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 31 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 31 is substituted with Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution A31S of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 37 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 37 is substituted with Ala, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution R37A or R37N or R37V of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 40 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 40 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution T40N or T40G of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 41 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 41 is substituted with Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Trp, Thr, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution A41D of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 54 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 54 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution N54S of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 56 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 56 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, or Tyr. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution V56T of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 60 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 60 is substituted with Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution A60P or A60V of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 63 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 63 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution L63F of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 72 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 72 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution K72R of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 73 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 73 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution G73L of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 93 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 93 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution K93D of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 94 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 94 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution N94D of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 98 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 98 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution Q98L of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 103 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 103 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, or Tyr. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution V103 or VA103I of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 104 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 104 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, or Tyr. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution V104M of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 105 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 105 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution M105I or M105L of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 106 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 106 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution N106D of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 109 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 109 is substituted with Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution A109G of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 110 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 110 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution G110K of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 111 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 111 is substituted with Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution A111G or A111 L of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 113 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 113 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution G113A or G113Q or G113S of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 114 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 114 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution T114K of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 116 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 116 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution F116L or F116N or F116Q or F116W of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 117 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 117 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, or Tyr. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution V117G of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 118 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 118 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution D118T or D118Q of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 123 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 123 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution D123N of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 126 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 126 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution N126D of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 128 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 128 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution N128Y of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 131 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 131 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution T131I or T131V of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 132 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 132 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution S132D or S132L of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 134 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 134 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution T134D of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 135 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 135 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution Y135E of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 136 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 136 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution Q136T or Q136K of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 137 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 137 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution 1137F of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 138 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 138 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution Q138V of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 140 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 140 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution W140S or W140Y or W140M of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 142 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 142 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution K142E or K142G or K142P of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 144 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 144 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution D144N of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 146 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 146 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution P146H or P146S of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 151 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 151 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution T151A of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 152 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 152 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution Y152L of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 155 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 155 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution F155W of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 159 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 159 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution W159H or W159L of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 160 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 160 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution Y160P of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 165 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 165 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution T165V of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 167 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 167 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution W167A or W167D or W167E or W167F or W167P or W167S of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 169 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 169 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Gly, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution E169V or E169I or E169Q of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 172 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 172 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution K172G or K172Q of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 173 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 173 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution L173F of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 174 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 174 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution N174K or N174S of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 176 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 176 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution I176V of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 177 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 177 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution Y177D of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 178 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 178 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution K178A of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a deletion or substitution at a position corresponding to position 180. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 180 is deleted of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of deletion R180* of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 180 is substituted with Ala, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution R180Q or R180S of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a deletion or substitution at a position corresponding to position 181. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 181 is deleted of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of deletion S181* of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 181 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution S181L or S181T of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of deletion or substitution at a position corresponding to position 182 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 182 is deleted of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of deletion T182* of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 182 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution T182D or T182E or T182G or T182I or T182L or T182M or T182S of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of deletion or substitution at a position corresponding to position 183 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 183 is deleted of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of deletion G183* of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 183 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, His, Ile, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution G183P of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 185 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 185 is substituted with Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, Ile, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution A186D or A186E or A186K or A186N or A186Q or A186R of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 188 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 188 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, Ile, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution W188C of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 189 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 189 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Gly, His, Ile, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution E189P of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 193 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 193 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Gly, His, Ile, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution E193I of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 194 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 194 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, Ile, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution N194F of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 196 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 196 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution N196F or N196I of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 202 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 202 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution F202Y of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 203 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 203 is substituted with Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution A203F of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 205 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 205 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution L205F or L205N or L205Q or L205R or L205V or L205Y of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 224 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 224 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution T224F or T244Y of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 225 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 225 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution N225S of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 242 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 242 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution Y242F or Y242L of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 243 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 243 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution S243Q of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 244 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 244 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Ser, Pro, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution F244I or F244L of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 252 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 252 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, or Tyr. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution V252I of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 256 of SEQ ID NO: 1. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 256 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution T256A or T256D of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 258. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 258 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution K258V of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 259. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 259 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution E259G or E259V of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 260. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 260 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Glu, Gln, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution M260D or M260W of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 261. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 261 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution F261K or F261P or F261S of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 266. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 266 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution F266Y of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 276. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 276 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Pro, Phe, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution N276F or N276W or N276Y of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 279. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 279 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Pro, Phe, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution N279S of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 280. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 280 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Met, Pro, Phe, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution K280F or K280W or K280Y of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 283. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 283 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Pro, Phe, Ser, Thr, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution W283N of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 286. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 286 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Pro, Phe, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution S286K or S286L of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 302. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 302 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Pro, Phe, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution S302T or S302Y of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 303. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 303 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Pro, Phe, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution G303R of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 315. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 315 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Pro, Phe, Ser, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution T315A of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 320. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 320 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Pro, Phe, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution H320T of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 321. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 321 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution P321H or P321Y of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 322. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 322 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Pro, Phe, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution M322G or M322Y of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 323. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 323 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Pro, Phe, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. n another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution H323A or H323N or H323W of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 346. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 346 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Pro, Phe, Ser, Thr, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution W346N of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 354. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 354 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Lys, Met, Pro, Phe, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution L354V of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 359. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 359 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Pro, Phe, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution E359W of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 360. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 360 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Pro, Phe, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution Q360M or Q360W or Q360Y of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 361. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 361 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, or Tyr. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution G361M of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 362. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 362 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Pro, Phe, Ser, Thr, Trp, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution Y362V of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 365. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 365 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Pro, Phe, Ser, Thr, Tyr, or Trp. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution V365I of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 371. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 371 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Pro, Phe, Ser, Thr, Trp, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution Y371S or Y371N of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 383. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 383 is substituted with Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Pro, Phe, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution A383D of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 390. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 390 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Pro, Phe, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution E390A or E390D of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 394. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 394 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Pro, Phe, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution N394W or N394D of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 395. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 395 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution F395Y of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 405. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 405 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Pro, Phe, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution D405G of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 409. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 409 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, Leu, Lys, Met, Pro, Phe, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution I409L of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 414. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 414 is substituted with Ala, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution R414M of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 420. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 420 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Pro, Phe, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution H420A or H420P or H420Q or H420Y of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 422. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 422 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp or Tyr. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution N422V of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 427. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 427 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Pro, Phe, Ser, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution T427L of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 455. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 455 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Pro, Phe, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution G455R of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 457. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 457 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Met, Pro, Phe, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution K457N or K457R of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 458. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 458 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution P458S of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 470. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 470 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Pro, Phe, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution N470A or N470M of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 472. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 472 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Pro, Phe, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution S472R of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 473. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 473 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Pro, Phe, Ser, Thr, Trp, or Tyr. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution V473C of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 474. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 474 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, Gly, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Pro, Phe, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution N474F or N474L of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 475. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 475 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Pro, Phe, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution G475E or G475K of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of a substitution at a position corresponding to position 476. In another aspect, the amino acid at a position corresponding to position 476 is substituted with Ala, Arg, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gln, Glu, His, lie, Leu, Lys, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, or Val. In another aspect, the variant comprises or consists of the substitution G476A or G476E or G476H of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1.

In another aspect, alpha-amylase variant comprises a modification at one or more positions corresponding to positions: H1, H2, N3, G7, R26, A31, R37, T40, A41, N54, V56, A60, L63, K72, G73, K93, N94, Q98, V103, V104, M105, N106, A109, G110, A111, G113, T114, F116, V117, D118, D123, N126, N128, T131, S132, T134, Y135, Q136, I137, Q138, W140, K142, D144, P146, T151, Y152, F155, W159, Y160, T165, W167, E169, K172, L173, N174, I176, Y177, K178, R180, S181, T182, G183, A185, W188, E189, E193, N194, N196, F202, A203, L205, T224, N225, Y242, S243, F244, V252, T256, K258, E259, M260, F261, F266, N276, N279, K280, W283, S286, S302, G303, T315, H320, P321, M322, H323, W346, L354, E359, Q360, G361, Y362, V365, Y371, A383, E390, N394, F395, D405, I409, R414, H420, N422, T427, G455, K457, P458, N470, S472, V473, N474, G475 and G476, using SEQ ID NO: 1 for numbering and wherein said variant has alpha-amylase activity and wherein said variant has at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, but less than 100% sequence identity sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14.

In another aspect, alpha-amylase variant comprises a modification at one or more positions corresponding to positions: H1*, H2*, N3D, N3G, N3S, G7A, G7H, G7S, R26Y, A31S, R37A, R37N, R37V, T40G, T40N, A41D, N54S, V56T, A60V, A60P, L63F, K72R, G73L, K93R, N94D, Q98L, V103A, V103I, V103L, V104M, M105I, M105L, N106D, A109G, G110K, A111G, A111L, G113Q, G113S, G113A, T114K, F116L, F116N, F116Q, F116W, V117G, D118Q, D118T, D123N, N126D, N128Y, T131I, T131V, S132D, S132L, T134D, Y135E, Q136T, Q136K, I137F, Q138V, W140S, W140M, W140Y, K142E, K142G, K142P, D144N, P146S, P146H, T151A, Y152L, F155W, W159H, W159L, Y160P, T165V, W167A, W167D, W167E, W167F, W167P, W167S, E169I, E169Q, E169V, K172G, K172Q, L173F, N174K, N174S, I176V, Y177D, K178A, R180*, R180Q, R180S, S181*, S181L, S181T, T182*, T182D, T182E, T182G, T182I, T182L, T182M, T182S, G183*, G183P, A185D, A185E, A185K, A185N, A185Q, A185R, W188C, E189P, E193I, N194F, F202Y, F202Y, A203F, L205F, L205N, L205Q, L205R, L205V, L205Y, T224F, T224Y, N225S, Y242F, Y242L, S243Q, F244I, F244L, V252I, T256A, T256D, K258V, E259G, E259V, M260D, M260W, F261K, F261P, F261S, F266Y, N276F, N276W, N276Y, N279S, N280F, N280W, N280Y, W283N, S286K, S286L, S302T, S302Y, G303R, T315A, H320T, P321H, P321Y, M322G, M322Y, H323A, H323N, H323W, W346N, L354V, E359W, Q360M, Q360W, Q360Y, G361M, Y362V, V365I, Y371S, Y371N, A383D, E390A, E390D, N394W, N394D, F395Y, D405G, I409L, R414M, H420P, H420A, H420Q, H420Y, N422V, T427L, G455R, K457N, K457R, R458S, N470A, N470M, S472R, V473C, N474F, N474L, G475E, G475K, G476H, G476E and G476A, using SEQ ID NO: 1 for numbering and wherein said variant has alpha-amylase activity and wherein said variant has at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, but less than 100% sequence identity sequence identity to SEQ ID No: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14.

The term “pairwise deletion” as used herein, refers to a deletion of an amino acid in two positions. Said two positions may be adjacent to one another but may also be separated by one, two, three, four, or five amino acids.

In one aspect, a variant comprises a pairwise deletion within the B domain of parent polypeptide.

In one aspect, a variant comprises a pairwise deletion within the B domain of parent polypeptide having alpha-amylase activity.

In one aspect, the alpha-amylase variant of the present invention comprises deletion at one or more position selected from the group consisting of R180*+S181*, R180*+T182*, R180*+G183*, S181*+T182*, S181*+G183* and T182*+G183*, preferably R180*+S181*, using SEQ ID NO: 1 for numbering.

In one aspect, the invention relates to variant of SEQ ID NO: 1 comprising deletion in the positions corresponding to R180*+S181*, using SEQ ID NO: 1 for numbering and wherein said variant has alpha-amylase activity and wherein said variant has at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, but less than 100% sequence identity sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14.

Thus, in one embodiment, the said alpha-amylase variant comprises

a) a deletion and/or a substitution at two or more positions corresponding to positions 180, 181, 182 and 183, using SEQ ID NO: 1 for numbering, and

b) a modification at one or more positions corresponding to positions 1, 2, 3, 7, 26, 31, 37, 40, 41, 54, 56, 60, 63, 72, 73, 93, 94, 98, 103, 104, 105, 106, 109, 110, 111, 113, 114, 116, 117, 118, 123, 126, 128, 131, 132, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 140, 142, 144, 146, 151, 152, 155, 159, 160, 165, 167, 169, 172, 173, 174, 176, 177, 178, 185, 188, 189, 193, 194, 196, 202, 203, 205, 224, 225, 242, 243, 244, 252, 256, 258, 259, 260, 261, 266, 276, 279, 280, 283, 286, 302, 303, 315, 320, 321, 322, 323, 346, 354, 359, 360, 361, 362, 365, 371, 383, 390, 394, 395, 405, 409, 414, 420, 422, 427, 455, 457, 458, 470, 472, 473, 474, 475 and 476, using SEQ ID NO: 1 for numbering and wherein said variant has alpha-amylase activity and wherein said variant has at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, but less than 100% sequence identity sequence identity to SEQ ID No: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14.

In one embodiment, the said alpha-amylase variant comprises

a) a deletion and/or a substitution at two or more positions corresponding to positions R180, S181, T182 and G183, using SEQ ID NO: 1 for numbering, and

b) a modification at one or more positions corresponding to positions H1, H2*, N3, G7, R26, A31, R37, T40, A41, N54, V56, A60, L63, K72, G73, K93, N94, Q98, V103, V104, M105, N106, A109, G110, A111, G113, T114, F116, V117, D118, D123, N126, N128, T131, S132, T134, Y135, Q136, 1137, Q138, W140, K142, D144, P146, T151, Y152, F155, W159, Y160, T165, W167, E169, K172, L173, N174, I176, Y177, K178, A185, W188, E189, E193, N194, N196, F202, A203, L205, T224, N225, Y242, S243, F244, V252, T256, K258, E259, M260, F261, F266, N276, N279, K280, W283, S286, S302, G303, T315, H320, P321, M322, H323, W346, L354, E359, Q360, G361, Y362, V365, Y371, A383, E390, N394, F395, D405, I409, R414, H420, N422, T427, G455, K457, P458, N470, S472, V473, N474, G475 and G476, using SEQ ID NO: 1 for numbering and wherein said variant has alpha-amylase activity and wherein said variant has at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, but less than 100% sequence identity sequence identity to SEQ ID No: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14.

In one embodiment, the said alpha-amylase variant comprises

- a) a deletion and/or a substitution at two or more positions corresponding to positions R180, S181, T182 and G183, using SEQ ID NO: 1 for numbering, and
- b) a modification at one or more positions corresponding to positions H1*, H2*, N3D, N3G, N3S, G7A, G7H, G7S, R26Y, A31S, R37A, R37N, R37V, T40G, T40N, A41D, N54S, V56T, A60V, A60P, L63F, K72R, G73L, K93R, N94D, Q98L, V103A, V103I, V103L, V104M, M105I, M105L, N106D, A109G, G110K, A111G, A111L, G113Q, G113S, G113A, T114K, F116L, F116N, F116Q, F116W, V117G, D118Q, D118T, D123N, N126D, N128Y, T131I, T131V, S132D, S132L, T134D, Y135E, Q136T, Q136K, I137F, Q138V, W140S, W140M, W140Y, K142E, K142G, K142P, D144N, P146S, P146H, T151A, Y152L, F155W, W159H, W159L, Y160P, T165V, W167A, W167D, W167E, W167F, W167P, W167S, E169I, E169Q, E169V, K172G, K172Q, L173F, N174K, N174S, I176V, Y177D, K178A, A185D, A185E, A185K, A185N, A185Q, A185R, W188C, E189P, E193I, N194F, F202Y, F202Y, A203F, L205F, L205N, L205Q, L205R, L205V, L205Y, T224F, T224Y, N225S, Y242F, Y242L, S243Q, F244I, F244L, V252I, T256A, T256D, K258V, E259G, E259V, M260D, M260W, F261K, F261P, F261S, F266Y, N276F, N276W, N276Y, N279S, N280F, N280W, N280Y, W283N, S286K, S286L, S302T, S302Y, G303R, T315A, H320T, P321H, P321Y, M322G, M322Y, H323A, H323N, H323W, W346N, L354V, E359W, Q360M, Q360W, Q360Y, G361M, Y362V, V365I, Y371S, Y371N, A383D, E390A, E390D, N394W, N394D, F395Y, D405G, I409L, R414M, H420P, H420A, H420Q, H420Y, N422V, T427L, G455R, K457N, K457R, R458S, N470A, N470M, S472R, V473C, N474F, N474L, G475E, G475K, G476H, G476E and G476A, using SEQ ID NO: 1 for numbering and wherein said variant has alpha-amylase activity and wherein said variant has at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 81%, at least 82%, at least 83%, at least 84%, at least 85%, at least 86%, at least 87%, at least 88%, at least 89%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, or at least 99%, but less than 100% sequence identity sequence identity to SEQ ID No: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14.

In one aspect, the alpha-amylase variant of SEQ ID NO: 1 comprising: