Chapter 3 Protein engineering
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Abstract
The ever-expanding repertoire of biocatalysts and advancements in genetic manipulations has led to the customization of natural enzymes and the generation of “new-to-nature” catalytic functions. Computational tools greatly assisted (semi-)rational protein engineering approaches by more reliable predictions of mutations, ultimately, catering for desired traits. Their combination with in vitro compartmentalization and microfluidic techniques elevated the number of protein variants being efficiently screened and selected from a few hundreds to libraries containing hundreds of millions of mutants. This chapter highlights the engineering of proteins from autotrophic organisms including the famous RuBisCO and the adaption of enzymes from heterotrophs to function in autotrophs and vice versa. Together, these examples demonstrate the capability of modern protein engineering techniques to transform autotrophic microorganisms into competitors to wellestablished heterotrophic hosts to tackle today’s challenges like unprecedented enzymatic circuits for the fixation of CO2, the stewardship of resources and the sustainable production of value-added chemicals.
Abstract
The ever-expanding repertoire of biocatalysts and advancements in genetic manipulations has led to the customization of natural enzymes and the generation of “new-to-nature” catalytic functions. Computational tools greatly assisted (semi-)rational protein engineering approaches by more reliable predictions of mutations, ultimately, catering for desired traits. Their combination with in vitro compartmentalization and microfluidic techniques elevated the number of protein variants being efficiently screened and selected from a few hundreds to libraries containing hundreds of millions of mutants. This chapter highlights the engineering of proteins from autotrophic organisms including the famous RuBisCO and the adaption of enzymes from heterotrophs to function in autotrophs and vice versa. Together, these examples demonstrate the capability of modern protein engineering techniques to transform autotrophic microorganisms into competitors to wellestablished heterotrophic hosts to tackle today’s challenges like unprecedented enzymatic circuits for the fixation of CO2, the stewardship of resources and the sustainable production of value-added chemicals.
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Contents V
- List of authors VII
- Chapter 1 A short recapitulation of the autotrophic metabolism 1
- Chapter 2 Metabolic engineering of microbes 19
- Chapter 3 Protein engineering 47
- Chapter 4 Gas fermentation 85
- Chapter 5 Introduction to autotrophic cultivation of microalgae in photobioreactors 113
- Chapter 6 Synthetic biology of cyanobacteria 131
- Chapter 7 Algal biotechnology 173
- Chapter 8 Biocatalytic applications of autotrophic organisms 207
- Chapter 9 Photocatalysis to promote cell-free biocatalytic reactions 247
- Chapter 10 Electroautotrophs: feeding microbes with current for CO2 fixation 277
- Chapter 11 Cupriavidus necator – a broadly applicable aerobic hydrogen-oxidizing bacterium 297
- Chapter 12 Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) as renewable resource 319
- Chapter 13 Applications of mixed microbial cultures in industrial biotechnology 353
- Chapter 14 Economic framework of autotrophic processes 385
- Index 397
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Contents V
- List of authors VII
- Chapter 1 A short recapitulation of the autotrophic metabolism 1
- Chapter 2 Metabolic engineering of microbes 19
- Chapter 3 Protein engineering 47
- Chapter 4 Gas fermentation 85
- Chapter 5 Introduction to autotrophic cultivation of microalgae in photobioreactors 113
- Chapter 6 Synthetic biology of cyanobacteria 131
- Chapter 7 Algal biotechnology 173
- Chapter 8 Biocatalytic applications of autotrophic organisms 207
- Chapter 9 Photocatalysis to promote cell-free biocatalytic reactions 247
- Chapter 10 Electroautotrophs: feeding microbes with current for CO2 fixation 277
- Chapter 11 Cupriavidus necator – a broadly applicable aerobic hydrogen-oxidizing bacterium 297
- Chapter 12 Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) as renewable resource 319
- Chapter 13 Applications of mixed microbial cultures in industrial biotechnology 353
- Chapter 14 Economic framework of autotrophic processes 385
- Index 397
