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A high-throughput screening method for determining the substrate scope of nitrilases.

Gary W Black1, Nicola L Brown, Justin J B Perry

  • 1Industrial Biotechnology Research Group, Department of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8ST, UK. justin.perry@northumbria.ac.uk.

Chemical Communications (Cambridge, England)
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Summary

Researchers developed a new chromogenic reagent to detect nitrilase activity, offering a safer alternative to Nessler's reagent for screening pharmaceutical intermediates. This method provides semi-quantitative results for nitrile hydrolysis.

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Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Enzymology

Background:

  • Nitrile compounds are crucial intermediates in synthesizing pharmaceuticals, including atorvastatin.
  • Accurate screening for nitrilase activity is essential for efficient synthesis.
  • Current methods like Nessler's reagent have limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a novel chromogenic reagent for screening nitrilase activity.
  • To provide a safer and semi-quantitative alternative to existing methods.
  • To demonstrate the reagent's utility in assessing nitrilase performance on diverse substrates.

Main Methods:

  • Development of a new chromogenic reagent.
  • Testing the reagent's colorimetric response to nitrilase activity.
  • Hydrolysis assays using 38 different nitrile substrates.
  • Enzyme activity assessment using 23 cell-free nitrilase extracts.

Main Results:

  • The developed reagent produces a distinct semi-quantifiable blue color in the presence of nitrilase activity.
  • Successful screening of nitrilase activity across 38 nitrile substrates.
  • Demonstrated efficacy with 23 different cell-free nitrilase extracts.

Conclusions:

  • The novel chromogenic reagent is effective for screening nitrilase activity.
  • It offers a viable, semi-quantitative alternative to Nessler's reagent.
  • The method supports the evaluation of nitrilases against a broad range of nitrile substrates.