This study aimed to improve the thermostability of a newly cloned tyrosinase from Streptomyces kathirae SC-1. The POPMuSiC algorithm was applied to predict the folding free energy change (Delta DG) of amino acid substitution. Site-directed mutagenesis was used to construct mutants (Q7K, G234P, and Q7K/G234P), and the mutant, and wild-type enzymes were expressed in Escherichia coli (DE3). Compared to the wild-type tyrosinase, all three mutant enzymes showed improved thermal properties. The mutant with combined substitution (Q7K/G234P) showed the most pronounced shifts in temperature optima, about 10 degrees C upward, and the half-life for thermal inactivation at 60 degrees C, and melting temperatures were increased by 3 times and approximately 10 degrees C, respectively. Finally, the mechanisms responsible for the increased thermostability were analyzed through comparative analysis of structure models. The structure-based rational design strategies in this study may also provide further insight into the thermostability of other industrial enzymes and suggest further potential industrial applications. (C) 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.