151
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2017
S. Sugathan et al. (eds.), Bioresources and Bioprocess in Biotechnology,
DOI 10.1007/978-981-10-4284-3_6
S.M. Basheer (*)
Department of Molecular Biology, Kannur University,
Dr PK Rajan Memorial Campus, Nileshwaram, Kasargod, Kerala, India
e-mail: soorejmb@gmail.com
S. Chellappan
Molecular Biophysics Unit, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
6
Enzyme Engineering
Soorej M. Basheer and Sreeja Chellappan
Abstract
Enzymes, also called biocatalysts, are widely used in various industrial applications, especially in the manufacturing of bulk chemicals and pharmaceuticals.
Enzyme engineering is the process of improving the efficiency of an already
available enzyme or the formulation of an advanced enzyme activity by altering
its amino acid sequence. This technology has developed as a potential tool to
overcome the disadvantages of native enzymes as biocatalysts. Rational design
and directed (molecular) evolution are the two general approaches in enzyme
engineering. Genetic engineering techniques are widely used to improve enzyme
efficiency. For exploring enzyme sequences and for creating new and efficient
biocatalysts, the combination of directed evolution and rational protein design
using computational tools is becoming increasingly relevant. Various other strategies such as enzyme immobilization, de novo enzyme design, peptidomimetics,
flow cytometry, and designed divergent evolution help in creating a tailor-made
enzyme for a given process. A better awareness of how the structure of an enzyme
influences its properties and a more crucial interpretation of the many engineering aspects are necessary to make rapid advance in the field of enzyme
engineering.
Keywords
Enzymes • Engineering • Rational design • Directed evolution
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2017
S. Sugathan et al. (eds.), Bioresources and Bioprocess in Biotechnology,
DOI 10.1007/978-981-10-4284-3_6
S.M. Basheer (*)
Department of Molecular Biology, Kannur University,
Dr PK Rajan Memorial Campus, Nileshwaram, Kasargod, Kerala, India
e-mail: soorejmb@gmail.com
S. Chellappan
Molecular Biophysics Unit, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
6
Enzyme Engineering
Soorej M. Basheer and Sreeja Chellappan
Abstract
Enzymes, also called biocatalysts, are widely used in various industrial applications, especially in the manufacturing of bulk chemicals and pharmaceuticals.
Enzyme engineering is the process of improving the efficiency of an already
available enzyme or the formulation of an advanced enzyme activity by altering
its amino acid sequence. This technology has developed as a potential tool to
overcome the disadvantages of native enzymes as biocatalysts. Rational design
and directed (molecular) evolution are the two general approaches in enzyme
engineering. Genetic engineering techniques are widely used to improve enzyme
efficiency. For exploring enzyme sequences and for creating new and efficient
biocatalysts, the combination of directed evolution and rational protein design
using computational tools is becoming increasingly relevant. Various other strategies such as enzyme immobilization, de novo enzyme design, peptidomimetics,
flow cytometry, and designed divergent evolution help in creating a tailor-made
enzyme for a given process. A better awareness of how the structure of an enzyme
influences its properties and a more crucial interpretation of the many engineering aspects are necessary to make rapid advance in the field of enzyme
engineering.
Keywords
Enzymes • Engineering • Rational design • Directed evolution