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Published on: September 25, 2017
Biotransformations with nitrilases
Ludmila Martínková1, Vladimír Kren
1Laboratory of Biotransformation, Institute of Microbiology of the Academy of Science of the Czech Republic, 142 20 Prague, Czech Republic. martinko@biomed.cas.cz
Current Opinion in Chemical Biology
|January 20, 2010
Summary
Researchers are improving nitrilase enzymes for industrial applications by exploring new sources, engineering enzymes, and modifying substrates. These advancements enhance enzyme efficiency and expand the scope of nitrilase-catalyzed reactions for chemical synthesis.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Enzyme Engineering
Background:
- Nitrilase applications are expanding, but industrial viability requires improved reaction parameters.
- Current methods focus on enzyme discovery, engineering, substrate modification, and process optimization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and highlight advancements in nitrilase technology for industrial applications.
- To discuss strategies for enhancing nitrilase performance and expanding their utility.
Main Methods:
- Genome mining and metagenomic approaches for discovering novel nitrilases.
- Protein engineering to alter enzyme specificity, activity, and enantioselectivity.
- Substrate structure modification to influence reaction selectivity.
- Medium engineering and process parameter variation for optimization.
Main Results:
- New nitrilases have been identified through advanced screening techniques.
- Protein engineering allows fine-tuning of nitrilase properties like substrate specificity and enantioselectivity.
- Substrate modification effectively alters enantioselectivity and chemoselectivity.
- Integrated processes combining nitrilases with other catalysts are being developed.
Conclusions:
- Continuous improvement of nitrilases through various strategies is crucial for industrial implementation.
- Enzyme engineering and process optimization are key to unlocking the full potential of nitrilases.
- Developing coupled enzymatic or chemo-enzymatic processes enhances nitrilase utility for synthesizing valuable chemicals.
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