Screening of novel beta-peptide hydrolases from metagenomic libraries and their applications for synthesis of functional beta-peptide materials

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K05576
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 34030:Green sustainable chemistry and environmental chemistry-related
• Research Institution: Institute of Physical and Chemical Research
• Principal Investigator: Hiraishi Tomohiro 国立研究開発法人理化学研究所, 環境資源科学研究センター, 専任研究員 (20321804)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: βペプチド分解酵素 / 環境メタゲノム

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The aim of this study is the screening of novel β-peptide hydrolases from metagenomic libraries of environmental samples such as soil and fresh water. For effective screening of the enzymes, biodegradation of the polymer by the environmental samples was carried out and the resultant biofilms generated during the biodegradation were used for construction of metagenomic libraries. The optimum assay conditions for high-throughput-screening of the enzymes using multiple pNP substrates were examined. Functional screens were carried out under the optimum assay conditions and the hydrolysis activity of some clones was higher than that of the negative control cells.

Free Research Field

生物物理化学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究で標的としているβペプチド分解酵素は希少性が高く、現在得られている知見は限定的である。また、自然界にはβペプチドのみで構成される化合物は存在しないため、βペプチド分解酵素の生理学的・進化的役割は不明である。従って、本研究で得られる知見により、特異な活性であるβペプチド分解活性の発現メカニズムが解明されれば、学術的・社会的意義が非常に高いといえる。