Directed evolution of metagenome-derived epoxide hydrolase for improved enantioselectivity and enantioconvergence

We performed a directed evolution study with a metagenome-derived epoxide hydrolase (EH), termed Kau2. Homology models of Kau2 were built; we selected one of them and used it as a guide for saturation mutagenesis experiments targeted at specific residues within the large substrate binding pocket. During the molecular evolution process, we found several enzyme variants with higher enantioselectivity or enhanced enantioconvergence toward para-Chlorostyrene oxide. Improved enantioselectivities by up to a factor of 5, reaching an E-value of up to 130 with the R-enantiomer as the residual epoxide, were achieved by replacing amino acid pairs at the positions 110 and 113, or 290 and 291, which are positions located in the vicinity of two presumed binding sites for the epoxide enantiomers. The (R)-para-Chlorophenylethane-1,2-diol product exhibited a high enantiomeric excess (ee) of 97% at 50% conversion of the racemic epoxide for the most enantioselective variant. Further, five amino acid substitutions were sufficient to substantially increase the degree of enantioconvergence and to lower the E-value to 17 for the final evolved EH variant, enabling the production of the R-diol with an ee-value of 93% at 28 °C in a complete conversion of the racemic epoxide. Higher ee_p-values of up to 97% were determined in enantioconvergent reactions using lower temperatures. The EH activities of whole cells were found to be within the range of 74–125% of the wild-type activity for all investigated variants. We show in this report that the metagenome-derived Kau2 EH is amenable to the redesign of its enantioselectivity and regioselectivity properties by directed evolution using a homology model as a guide. The generated enzyme variants should be useful for the production of the chiral building blocks (R)-para-Chlorostyrene oxide and (R)-para-Chlorophenylethane-1,2-diol.     

On the kinetics of the enzyme-catalyzed hydrolysis of axial chiral alkyl allenecarboxylates: preparation of optically active R-(−)-2-ethyl-4-phenyl-2,3-hexadiene-carboxylic acid and its optically pure S-(+)-methylester

Pig liver esterase (PLE) was used for the preparation of optically active alkyl allenecarboxylates with axial chirality. Free and immobilized enzymes were used as biocatalysts for the kinetic resolution of racemic ester substrates. Whereas the biotransformations using the free biocatalyst resulted in moderately to high enantiomeric ratios, the immobilization significantly decreased the E-value. The reaction conditions were optimized with respect to the enantiomeric ratio and scaled up. The enantiomeric ratio (E-value) was thereby enhanced by a factor of four to E=60. Under optimized conditions (free enzyme, addition of acetone as a cosolvent and Triton X-100 as an emulgator) in a preparative scale biotransformation, 282 mg of optically pure S-(+)-2-ethyl-4-phenyl-2,3-hexadiene-carboxylic acid methylester (96% ee, 82% yield) and 257 mg of R-(−)-2-ethyl-4-phenyl-2,3-hexadiene-carboxylic acid (83% ee, 80% yield) could be synthesized from the racemic substrate.     

Influence of pH on the expression of a recombinant epoxide hydrolase in Aspergillus niger

The filamentous fungus Aspergillus niger was investigated in relation to its ability to produce a soluble epoxide hydrolase (EH) (E.C. 3.3.2.3) belonging to the microsomal EH family. This EH is a highly useful biocatalyst for kinetic resolution of racemic epoxides to give enantiopure building blocks. The production of EH on an industrial scale is still a major challenge and is linked to various optimization processes. In this work, production of protein and organic acids as a function of pH and cultivation time was investigated. The production of EH was highest (1000 U/L for p-nitrostyrene oxide) under acidic fermentation conditions (pH value of about 3). The metabolic flux toward production of organic acids and thereby acidification of the environment increased with an increasing pH value. At pH 7, nearly 50% of total carbon of the substrate was incorporated into organic acids, mainly gluconic and oxalic acid. Finally, the addition of protease inhibitors, antioxidants and cryoprotectants was investigated in relation to the stability of the EH during the downstream process. The determination of the pH dependence during fermentation and understanding of the parameters influencing the stability of the enzyme has allowed us to optimize intracellular expression. The EH has been easily isolated from the biomass with high activity (1.67 U/mg lyophilisate) in a robust process.     

Effect of the immobilization protocol on the properties of lipase B from Candida antarctica in organic media: Enantiospecifc production of atenolol acetate

In this work, we intend to check the effect of the immobilization protocol on the performance of lipase B from Candida antarctica (CalB) in organic medium. To this purpose, CalB has been immobilized on Eupergit C (EC) under different conditions and on EC partially modified with ethylenediamine (EDA), iminodiacetic acid (IDA) or metal chelate (IDA-Cu²⁺) and used for kinetic resolution of (R/S) 4-[2-hydroxy-3-[(1-methylethyl)amino]propoxy]benzeneacetamide (rac-atenolol). Enantiomeric resolution of atenolol was carried out by a transesterification reaction using vinyl acetate as acylant agent and an organic solvent as reaction medium. After a preliminary optimization of the reaction to obtain satisfactory yields, toluene was selected as the optimal solvent and the performances of the different CalB biocatalysts were compared. The R enantiomer was preferred in all cases but their performances were substantially different, with high differences in reaction rates, reaction yields in this kinetically controlled synthesis (EC-CalB gave a conversion of 76% while EC-IDA-Cu²⁺-CalB gave just a 27%), and enantiospecificities (EC-CalB gave an E value of 65 while EC-IDA-Cu²⁺-CalB gave a value of 13). Replacing toluene with hexane caused a decrease in enzyme activity, reaction yields and enantiospecificity of the reaction. It was remarkable that some preparations were much more sensitive to this solvent change than others. Considering that the activity decreased by less than 10% per reaction cycle, these differences are likely associated with the differences in the enzyme catalytic properties caused by the different immobilization protocols and not by inactivation of immobilized enzyme preparations during the reaction. These results confirmed that use of different immobilization protocols may be a powerful tool for altering enzyme properties when used in organic media.     

Immobilization of the α-amylase of Bacillus amyloliquifaciens TSWK1-1 for the improved biocatalytic properties and solvent tolerance

The α-amylase of Bacillus amyloliquifaciens TSWK1-1 (GenBank Number, GQ121033) was immobilized by various methods, including ionic binding with DEAE cellulose, covalent coupling with gelatin and entrapment in polyacrylamide and agar. The immobilization of the purified enzyme was most effective with the DEAE cellulose followed by gelatin, agar and polyacrylamide. The K _m increased, while V _max decreased upon immobilization on various supports. The temperature and pH profiles broadened, while thermostability and pH stability enhanced after immobilization. The immobilized enzyme exhibited greater activity in various non-ionic surfactants, such as Tween-20, Tween-80 and Triton X-100 and ionic surfactant, SDS. Similarly, the enhanced stability of the immobilized α-amylase in various organic solvents was among the attractive features of the study. The reusability of the immobilized enzyme in terms of operational stability was assessed. The DEAE cellulose immobilized α-amylase retained its initial activity even after 20 consequent cycles. The DEAE cellulose immobilized enzyme hydrolyzed starch with 27 % of efficiency. In summary, the immobilization of B. amyloliquifaciens TSWK1-1 α-amylase with DEAE cellulose appeared most suitable for the improved biocatalytic properties and stability.     

Immobilization of the epoxide hydrolase from Aspergillus niger

Three methods for the immobilization of the epoxide hydrolase from the fungus Aspergillus niger were tested. The highest immobilization yield (90%) and retention of activity (65%) were obtained by adsorption onto DEAE-cellulose compared to adsorption onto hydrophobic porous polypropylene and covalent linkage using Eupergit resin. The enzymatic properties of the immobilized enzyme were similar to those of the free enzyme with respect to the effect of temperature and pH on both activity and stability as well as the effect of solvent (DMF) on activity. The kinetic parameters were affected leading to lower K _M(app) and higher Vm _(app).     

Encapsulation in a sol–gel matrix of lipase from Aspergillus niger obtained by bioconversion of a novel agricultural residue

Lipase from Aspergillus niger was obtained from the solid-state fermentation of a novel agroindustrial residue, pumpkin seed flour. The partially purified enzyme was encapsulated in a sol–gel matrix, resulting in an immobilization yield of 71.4 %. The optimum pH levels of the free and encapsulated enzymes were 4.0 and 3.0, respectively. The encapsulated enzyme showed greater thermal stability at temperatures of 45 and 60 °C than the free enzyme. The positive influence of the encapsulation process was observed on the thermal stability of the enzyme, since a longer half-life t _1/2 and lower deactivation constant were obtained with the encapsulated lipase when compared with the free lipase. Kinetic parameters were found to follow the Michaelis–Menten equation. The K _m values indicated that the encapsulation process reduced enzyme–substrate affinity and the V _max was about 31.3 % lower than that obtained with the free lipase. The operational stability was investigated, showing 50 % relative activity up to six cycles of reuse at pH 3.0 at 37 °C. Nevertheless, the production of lipase from agroindustrial residue associated with an efficient immobilization method, which promotes good catalytic properties of the enzyme, makes the process economically viable for future industrial applications.     

Three Systems Used for Biocatalysis in Organic Solvents a Comparative Study

The activity and operational stability of horse liver alcohol dehydrogenase (HLADH) and α-chymotrypsin were investigated in three systems commonly used for biocatalysis in organic solvents:

1. enzyme adsorbed on a solid support (celite) and added to the organic solvent (isooctane)

2. enzyme powder directly added to the organic solvent (isooctane).

3. enzyme dissolved in a microemulsion (AOT/isooctane).

The activity and the operational stability in all systems were strongly dependent on the water content. The initial reaction rate was high in both the microemulsion and the celite system, but was much lower when adding the enzymes directly to the organic solvent. HLADH was observed to be more stable when added directly to the organic solvent or dissolved in the microemulsion than when adsorbed on celite, whereas for α-chymotrypsin stability was higher when adsorbed on celite or added directly to the organic solvent. For a hydrolytic reaction, a microemulsion was preferred due to the high water content. When adding the enzymes directly to the organic solvent both HLADH and chymotrypsin were adsorbed strongly to the glass walls of the reaction vessel. None of the systems were superior in all respects for the two enzymes studied.     

Stereoselective esterification of dl-menthol by polyurethane-entrapped lipase in organic solvent

Stereospecific esterification of dl-menthol was studied by the use of immobilized lipase in an adequate water-saturated organic solvent system. Lipase from Candida cylindracea immobilized by entrapment with urethane prepolymers and 5-phenylvaleric acid as the acyl donor were chosen based on the stereoselectivity and the yield of l-menthyl ester. Water-saturated cyclohexane or isooctane was found to be the most suitable solvent system. Entrapment significantly enhanced the operational stability of lipase.     

Microwave‐assisted covalent immobilization of enzymes on inorganic surfaces

Enzymes on carriers can be easily recycled or used in fixed bed reactors. The immobilization often results in an improved stability. Depending on the support used and the method of coupling, this is a time‐consuming process. While the wide applicability of microwaves (MWs) within organic synthesis is known since the 1980s, proteins (including enzymes) are generally considered as too sensitive toward MW irradiation. In this article, MW methods were investigated to improve the processing speed of covalent enzyme immobilization on inorganic supports. Herein two laccases from Trametes versicolor and Myceliophthora thermophilia (Novozyme 51003®) and the glucose oxidase from Aspergillus niger were immobilized onto samples of ceramic honeycomb and porous glass (TRISOPERL® 1000 AMINO). The enzymes showed different sensitivity to MW irradiation, but all were suitable for MW‐assisted immobilization. Subsequent stability tests were conducted to compare conventional immobilization methods with those with MW irradiation. The glucose oxidase provided the best results. For all cases, a successful MW irradiation assisted covalent enzyme immobilization on solid support was obtained with a total 20‐fold reduction of the time necessary.     

Esterification In Organic Solvents: Selection Of Hydrolases And Effects Of Reaction Conditions

Fifty different hydrolases were screened for retention of high esterification activity in an organic solvent with citronellol as substrate. Although 22 hydrolases were very active as catalysts in the organic solvent, lipase from Candida cylindracea (lipase OF 360) was selected for further examination of the effects of reaction conditions on enzyme activity, with regard to catalyst availability and activity retention after immobilization. When the enzyme was entrapped in hydrophobic polyurethane gels, water-saturated isooctane was found to be the most suitable solvent, whereas polar solvents caused reversible catalyst inactivation. Entrapment significantly enhanced the operational stability of the lipase in the organic solvent.     

Effect of endoxylanase and α-L-arabinofuranosidase supplementation on the enzymatic hydrolysis of steam exploded wheat straw

The cost and hydrolytic efficiency of enzymes are major factors that restrict the commercialization of the bioethanol production process from lignocellulosic biomass. Hemicellulases and other accessory enzymes are becoming crucial to increase enzymatic hydrolysis (EH) yields at low cellulase dosages. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of two recombinant hemicellulolytic enzymes on the EH of steam pretreated wheat straw. Pretreatments at two severity conditions were performed and the whole slurry obtained after steam explosion pretreatment was employed as substrate. An endoxylanase (Xln C) from Aspergillus nidulans and an α-l-arabinofuranosidase (AF) from Aspergillus niger, have been applied in combination with cellulase enzymes. A degree of synergism of 29.5% and increases up to 10% in the EH yields were obtained, showing the potential of accessory activities to improve the EH step and make the whole process more effective.     

Production of the Phanerochaete flavido-alba laccase in Aspergillus niger for synthetic dyes decolorization and biotransformation

We investigated the expression of Phanerochaete flavido-alba laccase gene in Aspergillus niger and the physical and biochemical properties of the recombinant enzyme (rLac-LPFA) in order to test it for synthetic dye biotransformation. A. niger was able to produce high levels of active recombinant enzyme (30 mgL^?1), whose identity was further confirmed by immunodetection using Western blot analysis and N-terminal sequencing. Interestingly, rLac-LPFA exhibited an improved stability at pH (2–9) and organic solvents tested. Furthermore, the percentage of decoloration and biotransformation of synthetic textile dyes, Remazol Brilliant Blue R (RBBR) and Acid Red 299 (NY1), was higher than for the native enzyme. Its high production, simple purification, high activity, stability and ability to transform textile dyes make rLac-LPFA a good candidate for industrial applications.     

Catalytic Properties of Lipase Entrapped as Lysates of Recombinant Strain-Producer r<Emphasis Type="Italic">Escherichia coli</Emphasis>/lip into Nanocarbon-in-Silica Composites in the Bioconversion of Triglycerides and Fatty Acids

Composite multi-component biocatalysts were prepared by entrapping lysates of a recombinant rE. coli/lip strain producing Thermomyces lanuginosus lipase into composite nanocarbon-containing matrices based on a SiO₂ xerogel. The dependence of the lipase activity and operational stability on the type of the carbon component (nanotubes or nanospheres of different diameters) was studied in the bioconversion of triglycerides (hydrolysis and interesterification), as well as in the esterification of saturated fatty acids—namely, butyric (C4:0), capric (C10:0), and stearic (C18:0) acids—with isoamyl alcohol. It was shown that the biocatalytic properties were determined by both the texture parameters of the nanostructured carbon included and the type of enzymatic reaction performed. Biocatalysts without a nanocarbon component had the highest operational stability in the batch process of interesterification of sunflower oil with ethyl acetate; the half-life time was found to be 720 h at 40°C. Biocatalysts containing carbon nanotubes of ~21 nm in diameter were five to six times more active in the batch esterification process than biocatalysts without a nanocarbon component. Biocatalysts containing carbon nanotubes catalyzed the synthesis of esters in a binary organic solvent (hexane and diethyl ether) without a loss of activity for more than 500 h at 40°C.     

改性壳聚糖固定化脂肪酶的研究

以化学改性后的壳聚糖为载体固定假丝酵母99-125脂肪酶,研究了不同的活化剂对壳聚糖表面羟基基团的活化程度,及以活化后壳聚糖为载体采用不同固定化方法对假丝酵母脂肪酶固定效果的影响。结果表明1-乙基-3-(3-甲基氨基)丙基碳二亚胺可有效的活化壳聚糖表面羟基,活化后的壳聚糖表面氨基与戊二醛偶联后形成的壳聚糖为良好的脂肪酶固定化载体,其固定脂肪酶的水解活力可高达86.8U/g。此外,还对影响固定化进程中的各种因素进行了研究,确定最优条件,比较了固定化前后酶的热稳定性、有机溶剂稳定性及最适反应温度。并考察了该固定化脂肪酶催化合成棕榈酸十六酯的操作稳定性,结果表明,连续反应16批之后棕榈酸十六酯的转化率仍能达到85%以上。     

Herbivore-Alga Interaction Strength Influences Spatial Heterogeneity in a Kelp-Dominated Intertidal Community

There is a general consensus that marine herbivores can affect algal species composition and abundance, but little empirical work exists on the role of herbivores as modifiers of the spatial structure of resource assemblages. Here, we test the consumption/bulldozing effects of the molluscan grazer Enoplochiton niger and its influence on the spatial structure of a low intertidal community dominated by the bull kelp Durvillaea antarctica and the kelp Lessonia spicata. Through field experiments conducted at a rocky intertidal shore in north-central Chile (~30°-32°S), the edge of the grazer and algae geographic distributions, we estimated the strength and variability of consumptive effects of the grazer on different functional group of algae. We also used data from abundance field surveys to evaluate spatial co-occurrence patterns of the study species. Exclusion-enclosure experiments showed that E. niger maintained primary space available by preventing algal colonization, even of large brown algae species. The grazing activity of E. niger also reduced spatial heterogeneity of the ephemeral algal species, increasing bare space availability and variability through time in similar ways to those observed for the collective effect with other grazers. Overall, our result suggests that E. niger can be considered an important modifier of the spatial structure of the large brown algae-dominated community. Effects of E. niger on resource variability seem to be directly related to its foraging patterns, large body size, and population densities, which are all relevant factors for management and conservation of the large brown algae community. Our study thus highlights the importance of considering functional roles and identity of generalist consumers on spatial structure of the entire landscape.     

响应面法优化黑曲霉固定化条件及其对土壤中溴氰菊酯的降解特性研究

【目的】通过研究吸附包埋法固定黑曲霉(Aspergillus niger)的最佳制备工艺,初步探讨固定化黑曲霉对溴氰菊酯(deltamethrin, DM)及其中间产物3-苯氧基苯甲酸(3-phenoxybenzoic acid,3-PBA)的降解机制,并将其应用于农业种植中以评价固定化黑曲霉的实际应用效果。【方法】以生物炭、海藻酸钠为固定化载体,通过单因素和响应面试验对固定化黑曲霉(immobilized Aspergillusniger)的制备工艺进行优化。同时,利用高效液相色谱法分析DM和3-PBA的含量变化。【结果】海藻酸钠浓度、生物炭浓度和菌液接种量为DM去除率的显著影响因子,当三者分别为25.27、1.28和125.28 g/L时,是黑曲霉固定化的最佳制备条件;在施加固定化黑曲霉后,土壤中DM半衰期由7.6d缩短至5.2d,黑曲霉对3-PBA也具有降解作用,在21h达到最低浓度1.45mg/kg;修复后的土壤可显著提高番茄种子发芽率,株高、根长等6个生长指标较DM单独处理组也有不同程度的恢复;在经固定化黑曲霉修复28 d后,污染土壤根系酶活和微生物数量均得到不同程度改善。【...     

Preparation of cross-linked lipase-coated micro-crystals for biodiesel production from waste cooking oil

A dual modification procedure composed of cross-linking and protein coating with K₂SO₄ was employed to modify Geotrichum sp. lipase for catalyzing biodiesel production from waste cooking oil. Compared to single modification of protein coating with K₂SO₄, the dual modification of cross-linking and lipase coating improved catalytic properties in terms of thermostable stability, organic solvent tolerance, pH stability and operational stability in biodiesel production process, although biodiesel yield and initial reaction rate for CLPCMCs were not improved. After five successive batch reactions, CLPCMCs could still maintain 80% of relative biodiesel yield. CLPCMCs retained 64% of relative biodiesel yield after incubation in a pH range of 4-6 for 4 h, and 85% of relative biodiesel yield after incubation in a range of 45-50 °C for 4 h. CLPCMCs still maintained 83% of relative biodiesel yield after both treated in polar organic solvent and non-polar organic solvent for 4 h.     

Immobilization of amyloglucosidase from SSF of Aspergillus niger by crosslinked enzyme aggregate onto magnetic nanoparticles using minimum amount of carrier and characterizations

Immobilizations of enzymes are done for operational stability, recovery and re-use of the enzymes and easy separation of products. Amyloglucosidase (AMG) obtained from solid state fermentation (SSF) of Aspergillus niger was directly immobilized by novel technique of crosslinked enzyme aggregate onto magnetic nanoparticles. AMG was covalently linked to the magnetic nanoparticle (MNP) to form a monolayer of AMG (MNP–AMG), followed by crosslinked aggregates with free AMG (which was not immobilized) to yield MNP with high enzyme loading (MNP–AMG_n). Under optimized conditions, very high recovery (92.8%) of enzyme activity was obtained in MNP–AMG_n using 14 times less carrier compared to the quantity of carrier required by conventional method. MNP–AMG_n showed enhanced affinity for substrate, thermal stability, storage stability and reusability.