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Updated: Jun 6, 2026
09:16
In Vitro Directed Evolution of a Restriction Endonuclease with More Stringent Specificity
Published on: March 25, 2020
Harnessing ancestral sequence reconstruction for engineering novel and robust enzymes
Jing-Yi Liu1, Kai-Hao Zhu1, Song You2
1School of Life Sciences and Biopharmaceuticals, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China; State Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), CAS, Shanghai 200032, China.
Bioorganic Chemistry
|June 4, 2026
Summary
Ancestral sequence reconstruction (ASR) engineers enzymes for biocatalysis by inferring past sequences. This green manufacturing approach enhances enzyme properties and expands industrial applications.
Area of Science:
- Biocatalysis and Enzyme Engineering
- Computational Biology and Evolutionary Studies
Background:
- Biocatalysis is a key green manufacturing strategy for sustainable synthesis in various industries.
- Ancestral sequence reconstruction (ASR) is a powerful tool for understanding molecular evolution and engineering enzymes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advances in ancestral sequence reconstruction (ASR) over the past three years.
- To highlight ASR's diverse applications in enzyme engineering and biocatalysis.
Main Methods:
- ASR infers ancestral enzyme sequences by analyzing extant (current) enzyme sequences.
- This computational approach is combined with experimental validation for enzyme engineering.
Main Results:
- ASR facilitates the creation of enzymes with enhanced activity, stability, and selectivity.
- It enables investigation of enzyme function, divergence, and substrate scope expansion.
Conclusions:
- ASR is increasingly central to advancing biocatalytic applications.
- The integration of computational and experimental methods is transforming enzyme engineering and unlocking biocatalyst potential.
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