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Han SW, Jang Y, Kook J, Jang J, Shin JS. Reprogramming biocatalytic futile cycles through computational engineering of stereochemical promiscuity to create an amine racemase. Nat Commun 2024; 15:49. [PMID: 38169460 PMCID: PMC10761954 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44218-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Repurposing the intrinsic properties of natural enzymes can offer a viable solution to current synthetic challenges through the development of novel biocatalytic processes. Although amino acid racemases are ubiquitous in living organisms, an amine racemase (AR) has not yet been discovered despite its synthetic potential for producing chiral amines. Here, we report the creation of an AR based on the serendipitous discovery that amine transaminases (ATAs) can perform stereoinversion of 2-aminobutane. Kinetic modeling revealed that the unexpected off-pathway activity results from stereochemically promiscuous futile cycles due to incomplete stereoselectivity for 2-aminobutane. This finding motivated us to engineer an S-selective ATA through in silico alanine scanning and empirical combinatorial mutations, creating an AR with broad substrate specificity. The resulting AR, carrying double point mutations, enables the racemization of both enantiomers of diverse chiral amines in the presence of a cognate ketone. This strategy may be generally applicable to a wide range of transaminases, paving the way for the development of new-to-nature racemases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sang-Woo Han
- Department of Biotechnology, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-Ro, Seodaemun-Gu, Seoul, 03722, South Korea
- Department of Biotechnology, Konkuk University, Chungju, South Korea
| | - Youngho Jang
- Department of Biotechnology, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-Ro, Seodaemun-Gu, Seoul, 03722, South Korea
| | - Jihyun Kook
- Department of Biotechnology, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-Ro, Seodaemun-Gu, Seoul, 03722, South Korea
| | - Jeesu Jang
- Department of Biotechnology, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-Ro, Seodaemun-Gu, Seoul, 03722, South Korea
| | - Jong-Shik Shin
- Department of Biotechnology, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-Ro, Seodaemun-Gu, Seoul, 03722, South Korea.
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Bi Y, Wang J, Li J, Chou HH, Ren T, Li J, Zhang K. Engineering acetylation platform for the total biosynthesis of D-amino acids. Metab Eng 2023; 80:25-32. [PMID: 37689258 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymben.2023.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023]
Abstract
Optically pure D-amino acids are key chemicals with various applications. Although the production of specific D-amino acids has been achieved by chemical synthesis or with in vitro enzyme catalysts, it is challenging to convert a simple carbon source into D-amino acids with high efficiency. Here, we design an artificial metabolic pathway by engineering bacteria to heterologously express racemase and N-acetyltransferase to produce N-acetyl-D-amino acids from L-amino acids. This new platform allows the cytotoxicity of D-amino acids to be avoided. The universal potential of this acetylation protection strategy for effectively synthesizing optically pure D-amino acids is demonstrated by testing sixteen amino acid targets. Furthermore, we combine pathway optimization and metabolic engineering in Escherichia coli and achieve practically useful efficiency with four specific examples, including N-acetyl-D-valine, N-acetyl-D-serine, N-acetyl-D-phenylalanine and N-acetyl-D-phenylglycine, with titers reaching 5.65 g/L, 5.25 g/L, 8.025 g/L and 130 mg/L, respectively. This work opens up opportunities for synthesizing D-amino acids directly from simple carbon sources, avoiding costly and unsustainable conventional approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanqi Bi
- Fudan University, 220 Handan Road, Shanghai, 201100, China; School of Engineering, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Institute of Advanced Technology, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, 18 Shilongshan Road, Hangzhou, 310024, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Jingyu Wang
- School of Engineering, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Institute of Advanced Technology, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, 18 Shilongshan Road, Hangzhou, 310024, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Jialong Li
- School of Engineering, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Institute of Advanced Technology, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, 18 Shilongshan Road, Hangzhou, 310024, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Hsiang-Hui Chou
- School of Engineering, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Institute of Advanced Technology, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, 18 Shilongshan Road, Hangzhou, 310024, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Tianhua Ren
- School of Engineering, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Institute of Advanced Technology, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, 18 Shilongshan Road, Hangzhou, 310024, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Jinlin Li
- School of Engineering, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Institute of Advanced Technology, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, 18 Shilongshan Road, Hangzhou, 310024, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Kechun Zhang
- School of Engineering, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; Institute of Advanced Technology, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study, 18 Shilongshan Road, Hangzhou, 310024, Zhejiang Province, China.
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Bearne SL, Hayden JA. Application of circular dichroism-based assays to racemases and epimerases: Recognition and catalysis of reactions of chiral substrates by mandelate racemase. Methods Enzymol 2023; 685:127-169. [PMID: 37245900 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2023.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Racemases and epimerases have attracted much interest because of their astonishing ability to catalyze the rapid α-deprotonation of carbon acid substrates with high pKa values (∼13-30) leading to the formation of d-amino acids or various carbohydrate diastereomers that serve important roles in both normal physiology and pathology. Enzymatic assays to measure the initial rates of reactions catalyzed by these enzymes are discussed using mandelate racemase (MR) as an example. For MR, a convenient, rapid, and versatile circular dichroism (CD)-based assay has been used to determine the kinetic parameters accompanying the MR-catalyzed racemization of mandelate and alternative substrates. This direct, continuous assay permits real time monitoring of reaction progress, the rapid determination of initial velocities, and immediate recognition of anomalous behaviors. MR recognizes chiral substrates primarily through interactions of the phenyl ring of (R)- or (S)-mandelate with the hydrophobic R- or S-pocket at the active site, respectively. During catalysis, the carboxylate and α-hydroxyl groups of the substrate remain fixed in place through interactions with the Mg2+ ion and multiple H-bonding interactions, while the phenyl ring moves between the R- and S-pockets. The minimal requirements for the substrate appear to be the presence of a glycolate or glycolamide moiety, and a hydrophobic group of limited size that can stabilize the carbanionic intermediate through resonance or strong inductive effects. Similar CD-based assays may be applied to determine the activity of other racemases or epimerases with proper consideration of the molar ellipticity, wavelength, overall absorbance of the sample, and the light pathlength.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen L Bearne
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada; Department of Chemistry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada.
| | - Joshua A Hayden
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
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Characterization of an Immobilized Amino Acid Racemase for Potential Application in Enantioselective Chromatographic Resolution Processes. Catalysts 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/catal11060726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Enantioselective resolution processes can be improved by integration of racemization. Applying environmentally friendly enzymatic racemization under mild conditions is in particular attractive. Owing to the variety of enzymes and the progress in enzyme engineering, suitable racemases can be found for many chiral systems. An amino acid racemase (AAR) from P. putida KT2440 is capable of processing a broad spectrum of amino acids at fast conversion rates. The focus of this study is the evaluation of the potential of integrating AAR immobilized on Purolite ECR 8309 to racemize L- or D-methionine (Met) within an enantioselective chromatographic resolution process. Racemization rates were studied for different temperatures, pH values, and fractions of organic co-solvents. The long-term stability of the immobilized enzyme at operating and storage conditions was found to be excellent and recyclability using water with up to 5 vol% ethanol at 20 °C could be demonstrated. Packed as an enzymatic fixed bed reactor, the immobilized AAR can be coupled with different resolution processes; for instance, with chromatography or with preferential crystallization. The performance of coupling it with enantioselective chromatography is estimated quantitatively, exploiting parametrized sub-models. To indicate the large potential of the AAR, racemization rates are finally given for lysine, arginine, serine, glutamine, and asparagine.
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De Cesare S, Campopiano DJ. The N-Acetyl Amino Acid Racemases (NAAARs); Native and evolved biocatalysts applied to the synthesis of canonical and non-canonical amino acids. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2021; 69:212-220. [PMID: 33556834 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2021.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Amino acids are one of the most important synthons employed in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical and agrochemical industries for the preparation of active agents. Recently, the emerging use of these compounds as tools for protein engineering, has also been reported. Numerous chemo- and biocatalytic strategies have been developed for the stereoselective synthesis of these compounds. One of the most efficient processes is the enzymatic dynamic kinetic resolution of N-acylated derivatives, where an N-acyl amino acid racemase (NAAAR) is coupled with an enantioselective, hydrolytic enzyme (aminoacylase), and used to convert a racemic mixture of starting materials to enantiopure products. Here we provide a brief overview of the structure and mechanism of NAAAR. We will also review the applications of this class of biocatalyst, as well as discussing the various strategies employed to obtain an efficient system for the synthesis of optically pure canonical and non-canonical amino acids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia De Cesare
- EaStChem School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, David Brewster Road, King's Buildings, Edinburgh, EH9 3FJ, UK
| | - Dominic J Campopiano
- EaStChem School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, David Brewster Road, King's Buildings, Edinburgh, EH9 3FJ, UK.
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Trincone A. Application-Oriented Marine Isomerases in Biocatalysis. Mar Drugs 2020; 18:md18110580. [PMID: 33233366 PMCID: PMC7700177 DOI: 10.3390/md18110580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The class EC 5.xx, a group of enzymes that interconvert optical, geometric, or positional isomers are interesting biocatalysts for the synthesis of pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical intermediates. This class, named “isomerases,” can transform cheap biomolecules into expensive isomers with suitable stereochemistry useful in synthetic medicinal chemistry, and interesting cases of production of l-ribose, d-psicose, lactulose, and d-phenylalanine are known. However, in two published reports about potential biocatalysts of marine origin, isomerases are hardly mentioned. Therefore, it is of interest to deepen the knowledge of these biocatalysts from the marine environment with this specialized in-depth analysis conducted using a literature search without time limit constraints. In this review, the focus is dedicated mainly to example applications in biocatalysis that are not numerous confirming the general view previously reported. However, from this overall literature analysis, curiosity-driven scientific interest for marine isomerases seems to have been long-standing. However, the major fields in which application examples are framed are placed at the cutting edge of current biotechnological development. Since these enzymes can offer properties of industrial interest, this will act as a promoter for future studies of marine-originating isomerases in applied biocatalysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Trincone
- Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, National Research Council, Via Campi Flegrei, 34, 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy
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Bearne SL. Through the Looking Glass: Chiral Recognition of Substrates and Products at the Active Sites of Racemases and Epimerases. Chemistry 2020; 26:10367-10390. [DOI: 10.1002/chem.201905826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2019] [Revised: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Stephen L. Bearne
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular BiologyDepartment of ChemistryDalhousie University Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4R2 Canada
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Harriehausen I, Wrzosek K, Lorenz H, Seidel-Morgenstern A. Assessment of process configurations to combine enantioselective chromatography with enzymatic racemization. ADSORPTION 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s10450-020-00231-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
AbstractEnantioselective chromatography is nowadays a reliable tool for single enantiomer production from a racemate. The recovery of the distomer by racemization and recycling is a promising method to tackle the 50% yield constraint and to increase the productivity. In this paper three process configurations are compared. The production of enantiopure mandelic acid and methionine enantiomers exploiting different enzymes for racemization are evaluated as part of different chromatographic process configurations. First, the benefits of conventional simulated moving bed (SMB) chromatography in contrast to a single column batch separation unit are assessed in integrated configurations. Then, a concept of coupling the racemization with a simpler three-zone SMB unit, where one regeneration zone is removed, is evaluated.
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Femmer C, Bechtold M, Held M, Panke S. In vivo directed enzyme evolution in nanoliter reactors with antimetabolite selection. Metab Eng 2020; 59:15-23. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ymben.2020.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Revised: 01/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Han SW, Jang Y, Shin JS. In Vitro and In Vivo One-Pot Deracemization of Chiral Amines by Reaction Pathway Control of Enantiocomplementary ω-Transaminases. ACS Catal 2019. [DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.9b01546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sang-Woo Han
- Department of Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Yonsei-Ro 50, Seodaemun-Gu, Seoul 03722, South Korea
| | - Youngho Jang
- Department of Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Yonsei-Ro 50, Seodaemun-Gu, Seoul 03722, South Korea
| | - Jong-Shik Shin
- Department of Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Yonsei-Ro 50, Seodaemun-Gu, Seoul 03722, South Korea
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Orrego AH, López-Gallego F, Espaillat A, Cava F, Guisan JM, Rocha-Martin J. One-step Synthesis of α-Keto Acids from Racemic Amino Acids by A Versatile Immobilized Multienzyme Cell-free System. ChemCatChem 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/cctc.201800359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro H. Orrego
- Department of Biocatalysis; Institute of Catalysis and Petrochemistry (ICP) CSIC; Campus UAM. Cantoblanco. 28049 Madrid Spain
| | - Fernando López-Gallego
- Departamento de Química Orgánica; Instituto de Síntesis Química y Catálisis Homogénea (ISQCH); CSIC-Universidad de Zaragoza; 50009 Zaragoza Spain
- ARAID Foundation; Zaragoza Spain
| | - Akbar Espaillat
- Department of Molecular Biology and Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden; Umea Centre for Microbial Research; Umea University; Umea Sweden
| | - Felipe Cava
- Department of Molecular Biology and Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden; Umea Centre for Microbial Research; Umea University; Umea Sweden
| | - José M. Guisan
- Department of Biocatalysis; Institute of Catalysis and Petrochemistry (ICP) CSIC; Campus UAM. Cantoblanco. 28049 Madrid Spain
| | - Javier Rocha-Martin
- Department of Biocatalysis; Institute of Catalysis and Petrochemistry (ICP) CSIC; Campus UAM. Cantoblanco. 28049 Madrid Spain
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Oesterle S, Wuethrich I, Panke S. Toward Genome-Based Metabolic Engineering in Bacteria. ADVANCES IN APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY 2017; 101:49-82. [PMID: 29050667 DOI: 10.1016/bs.aambs.2017.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Prokaryotes modified stably on the genome are of great importance for production of fine and commodity chemicals. Traditional methods for genome engineering have long suffered from imprecision and low efficiencies, making construction of suitable high-producer strains laborious. Here, we review the recent advances in discovery and refinement of molecular precision engineering tools for genome-based metabolic engineering in bacteria for chemical production, with focus on the λ-Red recombineering and the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/Cas9 nuclease systems. In conjunction, they enable the integration of in vitro-synthesized DNA segments into specified locations on the chromosome and allow for enrichment of rare mutants by elimination of unmodified wild-type cells. Combination with concurrently developing improvements in important accessory technologies such as DNA synthesis, high-throughput screening methods, regulatory element design, and metabolic pathway optimization tools has resulted in novel efficient microbial producer strains and given access to new metabolic products. These new tools have made and will likely continue to make a big impact on the bioengineering strategies that transform the chemical industry.
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