Advances in the Molecular Modification of Microbial ω-Transaminases for Asymmetric Synthesis of Bulky Chiral Amines

ω-Transaminases are biocatalysts capable of asymmetrically synthesizing high-value chiral amines through the reductive amination of carbonyl compounds, and they are ubiquitously distributed across diverse microorganisms. Despite their broad natural occurrence, the industrial utility of naturally occurring ω-transaminases remains constrained by their limited catalytic efficiency toward sterically bulky substrates. Over recent decades, the use of structure-guided molecular modifications, leveraging three-dimensional structures, catalytic mechanisms, and machine learning-driven predictions, has emerged as a transformative strategy to address this limitation. Notably, these advancements have unlocked unprecedented progress in the asymmetric synthesis of bulky chiral amines, which is exemplified by the industrial-scale production of sitagliptin using engineered ω-transaminases. This review systematically explores the structural and mechanistic foundations of ω-transaminase engineering. We first delineate the substrate binding regions of these enzymes, focusing on their defining features such as substrate tunnels and dual pockets. These structural elements serve as critical targets for rational design to enhance substrate promiscuity. Next, we dissect the catalytic and substrate recognition mechanisms of (S)- and (R)-ω-transaminases. Drawing on these insights, we consolidate recent advances in engineering ω-transaminases to highlight their performance in synthesizing bulky chiral amines and aim to guide future research and the industrial implementation of tailored ω-transaminases.