2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report
Structure-guided engineering of a biodegradable plastic synthase for tailor-made polymer production
| Project/Area Number |
21K15028
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| Research Category |
Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
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| Allocation Type | Multi-year Fund |
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| Review Section |
Basic Section 43020:Structural biochemistry-related
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| Research Institution | Nara Institute of Science and Technology |
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Principal Investigator |
CHEK MIN FEY 奈良先端科学技術大学院大学, 先端科学技術研究科, 助教 (60834455)
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| Project Period (FY) |
2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
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| Keywords | Biodegradable plastic / Polyhydroxyalkanoate / Enzyme engineering |
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| Outline of Final Research Achievements |
PHA synthase (PhaC) is the key enzyme in the biosynthesis of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), a biodegradable plastic that offers a promising alternative to petrochemical plastics. In this study, the crystal structure of PhaC was determined, and important regions for catalysis were identified. Specific positions in the egress tunnel of PhaC were mutated, and the mutated enzymes were purified and their enzymatic activities measured. Additionally, the exact catalytic mechanism of PhaC was elucidated through biochemical and enzymatic analyses. The outcomes of this study provide an information for future engineering of PhaC to broaden its substrate specificity.
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| Free Research Field |
Structural biology, Enzymology
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| Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements |
This study reveals the structure-function relationship of the biodegradable plastic-synthesizing enzyme PHA synthase (PhaC). It is utmost urgent to improve the efficiency and substrate range of PHA production, catalysed by PhaC, in order to reduce the production costs of the biodegradable plastics.
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