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Updated: Oct 28, 2025

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Published on: January 16, 2016
Boosted activity by engineering the enzyme microenvironment in cascade reaction: A molecular understanding
Jing Wang1, Haiyang Zhang2, Deping Yin1
1Beijing Key Laboratory of Bioprocess, College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, China.
Modifying enzyme microenvironments with ionic polymers significantly enhances enzyme activity and operational pH range. This study reveals molecular insights into how these polymers preserve enzyme structure, boosting catalytic efficiency.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Polymer Science
- Enzyme Engineering
Background:
- Enzyme activity is often limited by suboptimal environmental conditions.
- The molecular mechanisms behind enzyme microenvironment engineering remain poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how ionic polymers modulate the activity and pH profiles of cytochrome c (Cyt C) and D-amino acid oxidase (DAAO).
- To elucidate the molecular basis for enhanced enzyme activity using spectroscopic and simulation techniques.
Main Methods:
- Enzyme modification using poly(acrylic acid) and polyallylamine.
- Activity assays across extended pH ranges.
- UV-vis/CD spectroscopy and molecular dynamics simulations.
Main Results:
- Polymer-modified Cyt C and DAAO showed extended operational pH ranges (3-7 and 2-10, respectively).
- Enzyme activity increased by 106% for Cyt C and 28% for DAAO compared to their optimum pH.
- A 1.37-fold enhancement in catalytic efficiency was observed for a cascade reaction using modified enzymes.
Conclusions:
- Ionic polymers create favorable microenvironments that enhance enzyme activity and stability.
- The favorable microenvironment preserves native enzyme structures, particularly near the cofactor, under stress.
- This approach offers a promising strategy for enzyme engineering and biocatalysis.
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