Mechanism-Guided Computational Design of ω-Transaminase by Reprograming of High-Energy-Barrier Steps.

ω-Transaminases (ω-TAs) show considerable potential for the synthesis of chiral amines. However, their low catalytic efficiency towards bulky substrates limits their application, and complicated catalytic mechanisms prevent precise enzyme design. Herein, we address this challenge using a mechanism-guided computational enzyme design strategy by reprograming the transition and ground states in key reaction steps. The common features among the three high-energy-barrier steps responsible for the low catalytic efficiency were revealed using quantum mechanics (QM). Five key residues were simultaneously tailored to stabilize the rate-limiting transition state with the aid of the Rosetta design. The 14 top-ranked variants showed 16.9-143-fold improved catalytic activity. The catalytic efficiency of the best variant, M9 (Q25F/M60W/W64F/I266A), was significantly increased, with a 1660-fold increase in kcat /Km and a 1.5-26.8-fold increase in turnover number (TON) towards various indanone derivatives.

One-Pot Two-Stage Biocatalytic Cascade to Produce l-Phosphinothricin by Two Enantioselective Complementary Aminotransferases at High Substrate Loading via a Deracemization Process.

The bioderacemization of racemic phosphinothricin (D, L-PPT) is a promising route for the synthesis of l-phosphinothricin (L-PPT). However, the low activity and tolerance of wild-type enzymes restrict their industrial applications. Two stereocomplementary aminotransferases with high activity and substrate tolerance were identified in a metagenomic library, and a one-pot, two-stage artificial cascade biocatalytic system was developed to produce L-PPT through kinetic resolution and asymmetric amination. We observed that 500 mM D, L-PPT (100 g/L) could be converted into L-PPT with 94% final conversion and >99.9% enantiomeric excess (e.e.) within 24 h, with only 0.02 eq amino acceptor pyruvate and 1.2 eq amino donor l-aspartate required. The process could be scaled up to 10 L under sufficient oxygen and stirring. The superior catalytic performance of this system provides an eco-friendly and sustainable approach to the industrial deracemization of D, L-PPT to L-PPT.

[Industrial adaptability selection for a novel ω-transaminase].

ω-transaminase (ω-TA) is the most promising biocatalyst for chiral amine synthesis. However, most wild-type ω-TAs cannot be applied in industry directly due to their low stability and unfavorable reaction equilibrium. In order to discover a novel ω-TA for industrial application, we designed a procedure of adaptive selection, including the screening of substrates, protein sequences and clones, enzyme activity, and product conversion and characterization, as well as trouble-shooting of each step. Through this procedure, we screened a novel ω-TA, ATA-W12 of Caulobacter sp. from a soil metagenome. The strain could convert 20 mmol/L 1-Boc-3-pyrrolidinone and 20 mmol/L 1-Boc-3-piperidone with 85.84% and 67.42% conversion rate, respectively, in a 1-mL scale with isopropylamine (IPA) as amine donor. ATA-W12 maintained 100% activity at 40 °C for 168 h, and its optimal reaction condition is at pH 8.5 and 40 °C. These excellent properties benefit the application of IPA as an ideal amino donor in industry. We scaled up the production of (S)-(+)-1-boc-3-aminopiperidine up to 50 mL (100 g/L) scale with this novel biocatalyst for its further industrial application.