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Is there an enzyme which is used as a drug (let it be called version $A$) and a mutated version of it ($M$), where the activity of $M$ was found to be higher than $A$?

Any references on such a case would be greatly acknowledged.

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A possible option: "Site-saturation mutagenesis of Tyr-105 reveals its importance in substrate stabilization and discrimination in TEM-1 β-lactamase" –  TMOTTM Feb 28 '13 at 11:45
Another option: "Most Efficient Cocaine Hydrolase Designed by Virtual Screening of Transition States" –  TMOTTM Mar 4 '13 at 15:00
A third option: "Why Does the G117H Mutation Considerably Improve the Activity of Human Butyrylcholinesterase against Sarin? Insights from Quantum Mechanical/Molecular Mechanical Free Energy Calculations" –  TMOTTM Mar 4 '13 at 15:00
Design of High-Activity Mutants of Human Butyrylcholinesterase against (−)-Cocaine: Structural and Energetic Factors Affecting the Catalytic Efficiency –  TMOTTM Mar 4 '13 at 20:17

1 Answer 1

There are mutants of clotting factor VIII that have longer half lives and better activity than natural Factor VIII. Factor VIII is one of the missing proteins commonly involved in hemophilia. Hemophiliacs usually use injections of Factor VIII to prevent bleeding. The mutant form should last longer in the blood, with better activity, resulting in fewer injections.

source: https://encrypted.google.com/patents/US7211559

Since this is a 2007 patent, I don't know if this product is actually being used to treat patients, drug approval takes a long time.

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