Evolutionary engineering of artificial metalloenzymes for the generation of novel catalysts

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K20535
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: 0501:Physical chemistry, functional solid state chemistry, organic chemistry, polymers, organic materials, biomolecular chemistry, and related fields
• Research Institution: Osaka University
• Principal Investigator: Kato Shunsuke 大阪大学, 大学院工学研究科, 助教 (60909125)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-08-30 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 人工金属酵素 / 進化分子工学 / 指向性進化法 / C-H結合官能基化 / 生体触媒 / ヘムタンパク質 / 金属ポルフィリノイド

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we carried out evolutionary engineering of artificial metalloenzymes to develop novel transition metal catalysts with excellent catalytic activities. In particular, artificial metalloenzymes which possess Cp*Rh complex, Fe-corrole complex, and Fe-porphycene complex as a synthetic metal cofactor were generated and engineered through the cycle of directed evolution. Finally, we succeeded in obtaining novel artificial metalloenzymes with excellent catalytic activities.

Free Research Field

生物無機化学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究では、非天然の遷移金属錯体をタンパク質に導入した人工金属酵素の構築と、指向性進化法を駆使した遺伝子工学的な改変を実施し、優れた触媒特性を発揮する新規高機能触媒の開発に成功した。持続可能な社会の実現にむけ、酵素や微生物などを用いた物質生産技術（バイオプロダクション）に注目が集まる昨今において、本研究成果はバイオプロダクションの有用性を拡張し、その社会実装の一助になることが期待される。