The trehalose synthase (TreT) from Pyrococcus horikoshii represented reversible catalysis in alternative synthesis of trehalose and nucleoside 5'-diphosphate-glucose (NDP-Glc), depending on the substrates involved. TreT from P. horikoshii had differential preferences on NDP-Glc as a donor for trehalose synthesis, in which guanosine 5'-diphosphate (GDP)-Glc was the most favored in terms of reaction specificity, k(cat)/K(m). Uridine 5'-diphosphate (UDP)- and adenosine 5'-diphosphate (ADP)-Glcs were employed with less preferences. This enzyme reversely cleaved trehalose to transfer the glucosyl moiety to various NDPs, efficiently producing NDP-Glcs. Although ADP-Glc was the least favorable donor, the counterpart, ADP, was the most favorable acceptor for the reverse synthesis of NDP-Glc in k(cat)/K(m). GDP and UDP were less preferred, compared to ADP. In a batch reaction of 12 h, the molar yield of NDP-Glc per NDP used was decreased approximately in the order of ADP-Glc > GDP-Glc > cytidine 5'-diphosphate (CDP)-Glc or UDP-Glc. The overall productivity of the enzyme was largely improved in a gram scale for NDP-Glcs using repetitive batch reactions with enzyme recycling. Thus, it is suggested that TreT from P. horikoshii may be useful for the regeneration of NDP-Glc from NDP, especially for ADP-Glc from ADP, with trehalose as a glucose resource. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.