Laccases (benzenediol oxygen oxidoreductases, EC 1.10.3.2) are used in many biotechnological processes, including removal of polyphenols in beverages, decolorizing and detoxifying effluents, drug analysis and bioremediation. In the present work, we have tried to increase thermal stability of laccase from Bacillus HR03 using site directed point mutations. Glul 88 was substituted with 2 positive (Lys and Arg) and one hydrophobic (Ala) residues. All mutations showed improved thermal stability. Thermal activation of laccase was also increased after introducing the mutations. Remarkably, the Glul 88Lys variant showed 3-fold higher thermal activation and higher T-50 (5 degrees C) with respect to the native enzyme. Furthermore steady-state k(cat) and K-m values were influenced despite the distance between the mutated position and the catalytic site. In Glu188Arg mutation, the k(cat) was improved 3-fold and K-m reduced by 25%. Interestingly, all three variants showed higher stability against urea as a chemical denaturant. Structural analyses of the native and mutated variants were carried out using fluorescence and far-UV circular dichroism. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.