Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 19, 2026

08:59
Defining Substrate Specificities for Lipase and Phospholipase Candidates
Published on: November 23, 2016
15.7K
Engineering and application of enzymes for lipid modification, an update
Katja Zorn1, Isabel Oroz-Guinea1, Henrike Brundiek2
1Institute of Biochemistry, Dept. of Biotechnology & Enzyme Catalysis, Greifswald University, Felix-Hausdorff-Str. 4, 17487 Greifswald, Germany.
Progress in Lipid Research
|June 16, 2016
Summary
Protein engineering tools like directed evolution and rational design optimize enzymes for biocatalysis. This review highlights engineered enzymes, including lipases and others, for improved industrial applications.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Enzyme Engineering
- Biocatalysis
Background:
- Protein engineering is crucial for tailoring enzyme properties for specific applications.
- Directed evolution and rational design are key strategies for enzyme optimization.
- High-throughput screening accelerates the identification of improved enzyme variants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review essential protein engineering tools and strategies.
- To showcase literature examples of enzyme optimization for biocatalysis.
- To discuss recent advancements in engineered enzymes for industrial use.
Main Methods:
- Introduction to directed evolution and rational protein design.
- Integration of high-throughput screening methodologies.
- Literature survey of enzyme optimization case studies.
Main Results:
- Engineered lipases demonstrate altered fatty acid selectivity and enhanced esterification.
- Optimized phospholipases, lipoxygenases, and P450 monooxygenases are discussed.
- Progress in engineered decarboxylating enzymes, fatty acid hydratases, and cascade reactions is presented.
Conclusions:
- Protein engineering significantly enhances enzyme performance for biocatalytic processes.
- Diverse enzyme classes, including lipases, have been successfully engineered.
- Future applications of engineered enzymes in industrial chemistry are promising.
Related Concept Videos
Lipid Catabolism
1.3K
Triglycerides serve as crucial long-term energy storage molecules in microorganisms, providing a dense source of metabolic energy. Their breakdown is mediated by lipases, which hydrolyze triglycerides into glycerol and free fatty acids. Each of these components follows distinct metabolic pathways, ultimately contributing to ATP synthesis and cellular energy homeostasis.Glycerol MetabolismGlycerol, released from triglyceride hydrolysis, is phosphorylated by glycerol kinase to form...
1.3K
Biofuels
1
The microbial conversion of organic matter into biofuels holds potential as a renewable energy source. Among biofuel sources, microalgae are recognized as a highly efficient and adaptable feedstock for biodiesel production, owing to their rapid biomass accumulation, elevated lipid productivity, and capacity to proliferate in diverse aquatic systems, including freshwater, marine, and wastewater habitats. Unlike terrestrial crops, microalgae do not compete for land and can achieve significantly...
1
Biosynthesis of Lipids
836
Microbial membranes exhibit remarkable diversity in lipid composition, reflecting evolutionary adaptations to various environmental conditions. The three domains of life—Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya—synthesize membrane lipids through distinct biosynthetic pathways, leading to fundamental structural differences that impact membrane stability, function, and adaptability.Fatty Acid-Based Lipids in Bacteria and EukaryaBacteria and eukaryotes share a common fatty acid biosynthesis...
836
Lipid Digestion
102.4K
Lipids are large molecules that are generally not water-soluble. Since most of the digestive enzymes in the human body are water-based, there are specific steps the body must take to break down lipids and make them available for use.
102.4K
Lipids as Anchors
7.9K
In the plasma membrane, the lipids forming the bilayer can also act as an anchor to tether proteins to the membrane. The three main types of lipid anchors found in eukaryotes are – prenyl groups, fatty acyl groups, and glycosylphosphatidylinositol or GPI groups. Prenyl and fatty acyl groups act as anchors on the cytosolic surface of the membrane, whereas GPI anchors proteins on the extracellular side.
The carboxy-terminal of most of the prenylated proteins, such as Ras proteins, contains...
The carboxy-terminal of most of the prenylated proteins, such as Ras proteins, contains...
7.9K
Enzymes
96.7K
Inside living organisms, enzymes act as catalysts for many biochemical reactions involved in cellular metabolism. The role of enzymes is to reduce the activation energies of biochemical reactions by forming complexes with its substrates. The lowering of activation energies favor an increase in the rates of biochemical reactions.
Enzyme deficiencies can often translate into life-threatening diseases. For example, a genetic abnormality resulting in the deficiency of the enzyme G6PD...
Enzyme deficiencies can often translate into life-threatening diseases. For example, a genetic abnormality resulting in the deficiency of the enzyme G6PD...
96.7K

