Aromatic dioxygenases: Molecular biocatalysis and applications

Aromatic dioxygenases have been found to catalyse single and tandem oxidation reactions of conjugated polyenes. Rational selection and design of dioxygenases, allied to substrate shape, size and substitution pattern, has been used to control regiochemistry and stereochemistry during the oxygenation process. The resulting enantiopure bioproducts have been increasingly utilised as precursors for new and alternative routes in chiral synthesis.

A direct electrode-driven P450 cycle for biocatalysis

The large potential of redox enzymes to carry out formation of high value organic compounds motivates the search for innovative strategies to regenerate the cofactors needed by their biocatalytic cycles. Here, we describe a bioreactor where the reducing power to the cycle is supplied directly to purified cytochrome CYP101 (P450cam; EC 1.14.15.1) through its natural redox partner (putidaredoxin) using an antimony-doped tin oxide working electrode. Required oxygen was produced at a Pt counter electrode by water electrolysis. A continuous catalytic cycle was sustained for more than 5 h and 2,600 enzyme turnovers. The maximum product formation rate was 36 nmol of 5-exo-hydroxycamphor/nmol of CYP101 per min.

The University of Minnesota Biocatalysis/Biodegradation Database: emphasizing enzymes

The University of Minnesota Biocatalysis/Biodegradation Database (UM-BBD, http://umbbd.ahc.umn.edu/) provides curated information on microbial catabolic enzymes and their organization into metabolic pathways. Currently, it contains information on over 400 enzymes. In the last year the enzyme page was enhanced to contain more internal and external links; it also displays the different metabolic pathways in which each enzyme participates. In collaboration with the Nomenclature Commission of the International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 35 UM-BBD enzymes were assigned complete EC codes during 2000. Bacterial oxygenases are heavily represented in the UM-BBD; they are known to have broad substrate specificity. A compilation of known reactions of naphthalene and toluene dioxygenases were recently added to the UM-BBD; 73 and 108 were listed respectively. In 2000 the UM-BBD is mirrored by two prestigious groups: the European Bioinformatics Institute and KEGG (the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes). Collaborations with other groups are being developed. The increased emphasis on UM-BBD enzymes is important for predicting novel metabolic pathways that might exist in nature or could be engineered. It also is important for current efforts in microbial genome annotation.

Hydrogen Peroxide in Biocatalysis. A Dangerous Liaison

Hydrogen peroxide is a substrate or side-product in many enzyme-catalyzed reactions. For example, it is a side-product of oxidases, resulting from the re-oxidation of FAD with molecular oxygen, and it is a substrate for peroxidases and other enzymes. However, hydrogen peroxide is able to chemically modify the peptide core of the enzymes it interacts with, and also to produce the oxidation of some cofactors and prostetic groups (e.g., the hemo group). Thus, the development of strategies that may permit to increase the stability of enzymes in the presence of this deleterious reagent is an interesting target. This enhancement in enzyme stability has been attempted following almost all available strategies: site-directed mutagenesis (eliminating the most reactive moieties), medium engineering (using stabilizers), immobilization and chemical modification (trying to generate hydrophobic environments surrounding the enzyme, to confer higher rigidity to the protein or to generate oxidation-resistant groups), or the use of systems capable of decomposing hydrogen peroxide under very mild conditions. If hydrogen peroxide is just a side-product, its immediate removal has been reported to be the best solution. In some cases, when hydrogen peroxide is the substrate and its decomposition is not a sensible solution, researchers coupled one enzyme generating hydrogen peroxide “in situ” to the target enzyme resulting in a continuous supply of this reagent at low concentrations thus preventing enzyme inactivation. This review will focus on the general role of hydrogen peroxide in biocatalysis, the main mechanisms of enzyme inactivation produced by this reactive and the different strategies used to prevent enzyme inactivation caused by this “dangerous liaison”.

Enzyme Electrochemistry - Biocatalysis on an electrode

Oxidoreductase enzymes catalyze single- or multi-electron reduction/oxidation reactions of small molecule inorganic or organic substrates, and they are integral to a wide variety of biological processes including respiration, energy production, biosynthesis, metabolism, and detoxification. All redox enzymes require a natural redox partner such as an electron-transfer protein ( e. g. cytochrome, ferredoxin, flavoprotein) or a small molecule cosubstrate ( e. g. NAD(P)H, dioxygen) to sustain catalysis, in effect to balance the substrate/product redox half-reaction. In principle, the natural electron-transfer partner may be replaced by an electrochemical working electrode. One of the great strengths of this approach is that the rate of catalysis ( equivalent to the observed electrochemical current) may be probed as a function of applied potential through linear sweep and cyclic voltammetry, and insight to the overall catalytic mechanism may be gained by a systematic electrochemical study coupled with theoretical analysis. In this review, the various approaches to enzyme electrochemistry will be discussed, including direct and indirect ( mediated) experiments, and a brief coverage of the theory relevant to these techniques will be presented. The importance of immobilizing enzymes on the electrode surface will be presented and the variety of ways that this may be done will be reviewed. The importance of chemical modification of the electrode surface in ensuring an environment conducive to a stable and active enzyme capable of functioning natively will be illustrated. Fundamental research into electrochemically driven enzyme catalysis has led to some remarkable practical applications. The glucose oxidase enzyme electrode is a spectacularly successful application of enzyme electrochemistry. Biosensors based on this technology are used worldwide by sufferers of diabetes to provide rapid and accurate analysis of blood glucose concentrations. Other applications of enzyme electrochemistry are in the sensing of macromolecular complexation events such as antigen - antibody binding and DNA hybridization. The review will include a selection of enzymes that have been successfully investigated by electrochemistry and, where appropriate, discuss their development towards practical biotechnological applications.

Preparative deracemization of unnatural amino acids

Unnatural amino acids are a growing class of intermediates required for pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals and other industrial products. However, no single method has proven sufficiently versatile to prepare these compounds broadly at scale. To address this need, we have developed a general chemoenzymatic process to prepare enantiomerically pure L- and D-amino acids in high yield by deracemization of racemic starting materials. This method involves the concerted action of an enantioselective oxidase biocatalyst and a non-selective chemical reducing agent to effect the stereoinversion of one enantiomer and can result in an enantiomeric excess of >99% from the starting racemate, and product yields of over 90%. This approach compares very favourably with resolution processes, which have a maximum single-pass yield of 50%. We have developed efficient methods to adapt the process towards new target compounds and to optimize key factors that influence process efficiency and offer competitive economics at scale.

Biotechnology in the development of improved phytases

Phytase enzyme supplements are now ubiquitous in the commercial production of a range of livestock, particularly chickens and pigs. Significant effort has been directed over the last two decades towards producing improved enzymes with higher activity, increased stability and at economic levels in industrial fermentations. As such, there are excellent products on the market, but there is a continuing demand for further improvements to drive down costs and for enzyme manufacturers to increase market share. The rapid development of DNA sequencing and gene synthesis technologies has provided ready access to a large number of new and uncharacterised potential phytases. Challenges remain however in identifying and developing those with improved properties.

Role of applied potentials on bioleaching of chalcopyrite concentrate and growth of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans

The effect of applied DC potentials on the bioleaching of a chalcopyrite concentrate in the presence of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans is discussed. Copper dissolution was the highest at an applied potential of +600mV (SCE), while all the dissolved copper got cathodically deposited at a negative potential of -600mV (SCE). Electrobioleaching at an applied potential of +600mV (SCE) was established at different pulp densities as a function of time. The effect of applied potentials and electrolytic currents on the activity and growth of bacterial cells was assessed Preadaptation of bacterial cells to the concentrate slurry and electrolytic growth conditions significantly enhanced copper dissolution. Electrochemical and biochemical mechanisms involved in electrobioleaching are illustrated with respect to oxidative dissolution and biocatalysis of anodic oxidation.

真菌单宁酶发酵五倍子和有机溶剂中酶法合成没食子酸丙酯的研究

本文报告了丝状真菌单宁酶发酵五倍子及有机溶剂中酶法合成没食子酸丙酯的研究。利用单宁和/或五倍子诱导丝状真菌产生单宁 酶的原理，借助二级发酵程序，对从天然源得到的75株菌进行了生物转化实验研究。选择出既能水解单宁或五倍子成没食子酸，又 能把没食子酸和丙醇合成没食子酸丙酯，而且生物催化活性都较高的1株菌，这株菌经初步鉴定为黑曲霉(Aspergillus niger No.17)。随后对它开展了产酶条件和参数优化实验，得出了最佳培养条件。立足于参数优化实验方案的基础上，经由液体培养发酵 制备单宁酶制剂，并把该酶通过化学手段共价结合到一种新型载体—聚乙烯醇和戊二醛反应生成的缩醛上，制备得到固定化单宁酶 。这种固定化生物催化剂在两种有机介质体系中都具有逆向催化合成没食子酸丙酯的能力。最后建立起来一条有效可行的微生物酶 法制备没食子酸的技术途径，没食子酸产率达到70%。对这种物质进行元素 分析：含C,49.45%;含H,3.63%。它的熔点为237℃～243 ℃，三种溶剂系统的TLC均只给出一个斑点。这些数据都与标准品一致。有机溶剂中酶法合成没食子酸丙酯的技术途径已经建立。 水溶性单宁酶在潜溶剂体系中也能催化上述酯化反应，反应混合物中的PG浓度为16.4mmol/L，制备薄层被用于分离反应混合物所含 的PG，这种产物被红外、质谱及三种溶剂系统的TLC等方法鉴定，确证为目标产物。在这一学位论文的实验研究过程中，还包括一 些生化分析方法的建立和应用，这些方法用于鉴定底物和产物及测定它们的浓度，其内容主要包括TLC定性/半定量分析、元素分析 、质谱、红外等手段的综合运用。本工作为开发我国特有的天然产物资源—五倍子的生物化工加工技术及非水相生物催化技术的开 发，提供了有用的基础数据资料，具有应用基础研究工作的重要性。In this thesis, the studies on the fermentation of Chinese gallotannin by filamentous fungi with tannase activity and enzymatic synthesis of propyl gallate(PG) in organic solvents were described through these biocatalysts. Based on the principles of induction enzyme, the tannase produced from filamentous fungi by adding tannic acid(TA) and/or Chinese gallotannin into media was investigated, and the screening experiments of bioconversion were done with 75 strains by means of a two-stage fermentation procedure. These strains were isolated with the enrichment culture technique from natural sources. Hence we selected one strain (Aspergillus niger No.17) that can not only catalyze the hydrolyses of TA and/or Chinese gallotannin into gallic acid(GA) in the liquid cultures, but also be used to synthesize PG from propanol and GA in the non-aqueous media. At the same time both of its biocatalytical activities were higher. This strain was calssified to be Aspergillus niger by the primary identification. Then optimum conditions for production of the tannase and its parameters were examined. In this way, one set of optimum culture conditions was selected. Making use of the optimum proposal, the tanase was prepared through a liquid fermentation procedure. The enzyme was convalently coupled to a new type of carrier which was made chemically from polyvinyl alcohol(PVA)and glutaraldehyde. The immobilized enzymes were able to synthesize PG reversely in two organic media. Finally, an effective enzymatic technique for production of GA was developed. The yield of GA products was up to 70%。Element analysis for this substance: calce: C, 49.42%; H, 3.56%; found: C, 49.45%, H, 3.63%. Its melting point was 237℃～ 243℃ and TLCs on three solvent systems gave only one spot respectively. These data were identical with theauthentic GA. The enzymatic synthesis of PG in organic solvents was extablished with reverse route of tannase catalytical hydrolysis. Aqueous enzyme perparation also catalyzed above esterification in a buffer system. The PG concentration in the reaction mixture was 16.4mmol/L. The reparative-scale TLC was used to isolate PG from the reaction mixture. This product separated was identified by IR, MS and TLC on three solvent systems. In this study of thesis, some biochemical analytical mehtods were developed and used to identify substrates and products, and to determinate their concentration. These methods, including TLC qualitative/half quantitative analysis, element analysis, MS, IR and so on, were useful, available and performable. This work provided basic data and information for developing the biochemical engineering and bio-processing of Chinese gallotannin-a special natural resource in China and the non-aqueous phase biocatalysis. Thus, this study possesses importance in the applied and basic research work.

Direct Electrochemistry and Electrocatalysis of Hemoglobin in Lipid Film Incorporated with Room-Temperature Ionic Liquid

A facile phospholipid/room-temperature ionic liquid (RTIL) composite material based on dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([bmim]PF6) was exploited as a new matrix for immobilizing protein. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were adopted to characterize this composite film. Hemoglobin (Hb) was chosen as a model protein to investigate the composite system. UV-vis absorbance spectra showed that Hb still maintained its heme crevice integrity in this composite film.

Hydrogen peroxide biosensor based on direct electrochemistry of soybean Peroxidase immobilized on single-walled carbon nanohorn modified electrode

Single-walled carbon nanohorns (SWCNHs) were used as a novel and biocompatible matrix for fabricating biosensing devices. The direct immobilization of acid-stable and thermostable soybean peroxidase (SBP) on SWCNH modified electrode surface can realize the direct electrochemistry of enzyme. Cyclic voltammogram of the adsorbed SBP displays a pair of redox peaks with a formal potential of -0.24V in pH 5 phosphate buffer solution.

Direct electrochemistry and electrocatalysis of glucose oxidase immobilized on glassy carbon electrode modified by Nafion and ordered mesoporous silica-SBA-15

In this paper, it was found that glucose oxidase (GOD) has been stably immobilized on glassy carbon electrode modified by ordered mesoporous silica-SBA-15 and Nafion. The sorption behavior of GOD immobilized on SBA-15 matrix was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis), FTIR, respectively, which demonstrated that SBA-15 can facilitate the electron exchange between the electroactive center of GOD and electrode. The direct electrochemistry and electrocatalysis behavior of GOD on modified electrode were characterized by cyclic voltammogram (CV) which indicated that GOD immobilized on Nafion and SBA-15 matrices displays direct, nearly reversible and surface-controlled redox reaction with an enhanced electron transfer rate constant of 3.89 s(-1) in 0.1 M phosphate buffer solution (PBS) (pH 7.12).

Direct electrochemistry and electrocatalysis of horseradish peroxidase immobilized in Nafion-RTIL composite film

The composite film based on Nafion and hydrophobic room-temperature ionic liquid (RTIL) 1-butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([bmim] PF6) was explored. Here, Nafion was used as a binder to form Nafion-ionic liquids composite film and help [bmim] PF6 effectively adhered on glassy carbon (GC) electrode. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), cyclic voltammtery (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were used to characterize this composite film, showing that the composite film can effectively adhere on the GC electrode surface through Nafion interacting with [bmim] PF6 and GC electrode. Meanwhile, doping [bmim] PF6 in Nafion can also effectively reduce the electron transfer resistance of Nafion. The composite film can be readily used as an immobilization matrix to entrap horseradish peroxidase (HRP). A pair of well-defined redox peaks of HRP was obtained at the HRP/Nafion[bmim] PF6 composite film-modified GC electrode through direct electron transfer between the protein and the underlying electrode. HRP can still retain its biological activity and enhance electrochemical reduction towards O-2 and H2O2. It is expected that this composite film may find more potential applications in biosensors and biocatalysis.

Room temperature ionic liquid doped DNA network immobilized horseradish peroxidase biosensor for amperometric determination of hydrogen peroxide

A novel electrochemical H2O2 biosensor was constructed by embedding horseradish peroxide (HRP) in a 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate doped DNA network casting on a gold electrode. The HRP entrapped in the composite system displayed good electrocatalytic response to the reduction of H2O2. The composite system could provide both a biocompatible microenvironment for enzymes to keep their good bioactivity and an effective pathway of electron transfer between the redox center of enzymes, H2O2 and the electrode surface. Voltammetric and time-based amperometric techniques were applied to characterize the properties of the biosensor. The effects of pH and potential on the amperometric response to H2O2 were studied. The biosensor can achieve 95% of the steady-state current within 2 s response to H2O2. The detection limit of the biosensor was 3.5 mu M, and linear range was from 0.01 to 7.4 mM. Moreover, the biosensor exhibited good sensitivity and stability. The film can also be readily used as an immobilization matrix to entrap other enzymes to prepare other similar biosensors.