Directed evolution of unspecific peroxygenase in organic solvents

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Javier Martin-Diaz - , Kazakh-British Technical University (Author)
  • Patricia Molina-Espeja - , Kazakh-British Technical University (Author)
  • Martin Hofrichter - , Chair of Environmental Biotechnology, International Institute Zittau (Author)
  • Frank Hollmann - , Delft University of Technology (Author)
  • Miguel Alcalde - , Kazakh-British Technical University (Author)

Abstract

Fungal unspecific peroxygenases (UPOs) are efficient biocatalysts that insert oxygen atoms into nonactivated C-H bonds with high selectivity. Many oxyfunctionalization reactions catalyzed by UPOs are favored in organic solvents, a milieu in which their enzymatic activity is drastically reduced. Using as departure point the UPO secretion mutant from Agrocybe aegerita (PaDa-I variant), in the current study we have improved its activity in organic solvents by directed evolution. Mutant libraries constructed by random mutagenesis and in vivo DNA shuffling were screened in the presence of increasing concentrations of organic solvents that differed both in regard to their chemical nature and polarity. In addition, a palette of neutral mutations generated by genetic drift that improved activity in organic solvents was evaluated by site directed recombination in vivo. The final UPO variant of this evolutionary campaign carried nine mutations that enhanced its activity in the presence of 30% acetonitrile (vol/vol) up to 23-fold over PaDa-I parental type, and it was also active and stable in aqueous acetone, methanol and dimethyl sulfoxide mixtures. These mutations, which are located at the surface of the protein and in the heme channel, seemingly helped to protect UPO from harmful effects of cosolvents by modifying interactions with surrounding residues and influencing critical loops.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3002-3014
Number of pages13
JournalBiotechnology & bioengineering
Volume118
Issue number8
Publication statusPublished - Aug 2021
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

Scopus 85105972218

Keywords

Keywords

  • Acetone/chemistry, Acetonitriles/chemistry, Agrocybe/enzymology, Dimethyl Sulfoxide/chemistry, Directed Molecular Evolution, Fungal Proteins/chemistry, Methanol/chemistry, Mixed Function Oxygenases/chemistry, Mutation, Missense, Solvents/chemistry

Library keywords