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NADH-dependent formate dehydrogenase mutants for efficient carbon dioxide fixation
Yaju Xue1, Xiuling Ji2, Zhuang Li1
1Beijing Key Laboratory of Ionic Liquids Clean Process, CAS Key Laboratory of Green Process and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Multiphase Complex Systems, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China; School of Chemical Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
Bioresource Technology
|November 17, 2023
Summary
Engineered formate dehydrogenase (FDH) mutants show significantly enhanced carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction activity and stability. These improved enzymes offer a promising pathway for efficient CO2 conversion into valuable products like methanol.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Enzyme Engineering
- Sustainable Chemistry
Background:
- Carbon dioxide (CO2) bioconversion is crucial for carbon neutrality.
- Current formate dehydrogenases (FDHs) have limitations in CO2 activation, affinity, activity, and stability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To engineer FDH mutants with improved CO2 reduction activity and stability.
- To investigate the structural basis for enhanced enzyme performance.
Main Methods:
- Recombinant DNA technology to create FDH mutants (ΔFDHPa48 and ΔFDHPa4814).
- Enzyme activity assays to measure CO2 reduction.
- Molecular dynamics simulations to analyze structural changes and substrate pocket interactions.
Main Results:
- ΔFDHPa48 mutant showed a 743% increase in reduction activity compared to wild-type FDHPa.
- Methanol yield from CO2 reduction increased 3.16-fold with the engineered mutant.
- Molecular dynamics revealed that a wider substrate pocket and enhanced C-terminal rigidity contribute to improved activity and stability.
Conclusions:
- Engineered FDH mutants demonstrate significantly enhanced CO2 activation and conversion efficiency.
- Structural modifications, including substrate pocket widening and C-terminal stabilization, are key to improving FDH performance.
- These findings advance enzymatic CO2 conversion technologies for sustainable applications.
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