Aromatic Compound Synthesis Platform by Rational Design of Novel Enzymes

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K15370
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 27040:Biofunction and bioprocess engineering-related
• Research Institution: Institute of Physical and Chemical Research
• Principal Investigator: Noda Shuhei 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, 研究員 (30710131)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: アジピン酸 / 大腸菌 / 酵素改変

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, in order to construct a platform for microbial synthesis of industrially useful key compounds, we developed a basic technology to rationally create novel enzymes that catalyze unconventional reactions and have significantly higher activity compared to conventional enzymes. By applying the developed novel enzymes to the platform for the synthesis of aromatic compounds with high yield and production, which was previously reported by the applicant, we aimed to develop a platform for microbial synthesis of not only aromatic compounds but also dicarboxylic acids, diols, etc. Through the creation of a mutant adipic acid synthase, we succeeded in producing E. coli capable of synthesizing adipic acid from glucose.

Free Research Field

代謝工学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

これまでの酵素開発研究においては、鋳型となる酵素の結晶構造が既知になっていなければ手の施しようがないという問題点があった。しかしながら、本申請で提案する酵素ホモロジーモデリングを用いた酵素改変では、詳細な結晶構造が明らかになっていない酵素に対しても応用可能な技術を開発する点において学術的意義がある。また、アジピン酸はヘキサメチレンジアミンの原料である莫大な市場規模をもつバルクケミカルの一つであり、社会的意義も大きい。