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Updated: May 28, 2026
07:59
A Customizable Approach for the Enzymatic Production and Purification of Diterpenoid Natural Products
Published on: October 4, 2019
Protein engineering towards natural product synthesis and diversification
Angelica O Zabala1, Ralph A Cacho, Yi Tang
1Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology
|October 19, 2011
Summary
Nature
Area of Science:
- Biocatalysis and Natural Product Synthesis
- Enzyme Engineering for Drug Discovery
Background:
- Nature utilizes a vast array of enzymes for complex natural product synthesis.
- These enzymes offer a molecular toolbox for pharmaceutical development.
- Technological advancements enable enzyme tailoring for drug discovery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the use of engineered enzymes in natural product synthesis.
- To highlight the role of biocatalysis in creating novel pharmaceutical agents.
- To showcase examples from large natural product families.
Main Methods:
- Protein engineering techniques, including rational design and random evolution.
- Biocatalysis for the production of natural products and derivatives.
- Review of literature on enzyme engineering in natural product chemistry.
Main Results:
- Engineered enzymes can be tailored for specific activities and specificities.
- Biocatalysis facilitates the production of both natural and unnatural derivatives.
- Enzyme engineering is a powerful tool in drug discovery.
Conclusions:
- Tailored enzymes are critical for efficient natural product synthesis.
- Biocatalysis accelerates the development of potent pharmaceutical agents.
- Enzyme engineering significantly contributes to drug discovery and development.
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