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The Expanding Reactivity of Cobamide-Containing Proteins: From Mechanistic Understanding to Non-native Biocatalysis
Amardeep Kumar1, Jared C Lewis1
1Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, US.
ACS Catalysis
|August 11, 2026
Summary
Cobamides are essential cofactors for enzymes catalyzing key reactions. Research is exploring their potential for novel biocatalysis and chemical transformations.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry and enzymology
- Bioorganic chemistry
- Synthetic biology
Background:
- Cobamides are tetrapyrrole cofactors crucial for enzyme function.
- Enzymes utilizing cobamides are involved in isomerizations, methyl transfers, and dehalogenations.
- Their native reactivity is underutilized in biocatalysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review cobamide-dependent enzyme mechanisms.
- To highlight progress in native biocatalysis using cobamide enzymes.
- To discuss emerging strategies for non-native biocatalysis with cobamide proteins.
Main Methods:
- Mechanistic studies of cobamide-containing proteins.
- Protein engineering approaches.
- Synthetic biology techniques.
Main Results:
- Cobamide enzymes exhibit high selectivity and efficiency in radical rearrangement, methyl transfer, and reductive cleavage.
- Advances enable the use of cobamide proteins for C-C bond formation, C-H functionalization, and alkylation.
- Cobamide-containing proteins are emerging as versatile platforms for biocatalysis.
Conclusions:
- Cobamide-dependent enzymes offer significant potential for biocatalysis.
- Protein engineering and synthetic biology are key to unlocking their capabilities for non-native reactions.
- Further research will expand the applications of cobamide proteins in chemical synthesis.
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