Identification and characterization of an unprecedented D-peptide degrading enzyme

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K06551
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 43030:Functional biochemistry-related
• Research Institution: Kansai University
• Principal Investigator: Yamanaka Kazuya 関西大学, 化学生命工学部, 准教授 (30756870)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: D-アミノ酸 / 生理活性ペプチド / 分解酵素

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we successfully identified the first enzyme that is capable of degrading a peptide solely consisting of D-amino acid from Streptoalloteichus hindustanus. Through the in vitro biochemical assays, we revealed that the enzyme, Dpd, showing quite low level of similarity to β-lactamase-like serine hydrolases is an exo-peptidase with strict specificity to D-amino acid residues. This demonstration could open new avenue in creation of bioactive peptides with D-configuration using the reverse reaction of Dpd.

Free Research Field

農芸化学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究で見出したDpdは、鎖長の長いD-ペプチドを好んで分解する初の酵素である。本研究で得た知見を基に、タンパク質工学的手法による当該酵素の機能拡張や、逆反応を利用した非天然型生理活性D-ペプチドの創生など創薬分野への応用が期待される。