Screening and analysis of aromatic polymer-hydrolyzing enzymes

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26850060
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Applied biochemistry
• Research Institution: Osaka City University (2015-2016); University of Tsukuba (2014)
• Principal Investigator: Oinuma Ken-Ichi 大阪市立大学, 大学院医学研究科, 助教 (20635619)
• Research Collaborator: TAKAYA Naoki ; KANEKO Tatsuo ; KIZAWA Yoshie
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 芳香族ポリマー / 加水分解酵素 / Aspergillus niger

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Aromatic polymers are widely used in plastic industries. One property common to these polymers is their resistance to bio-degradation and, despite its importance, there are only a few reports on aromatic polymer-degrading microorganism or enzymes. In this study, we used 4CDP, a recently developed aromatic polymer, as a model substrate and screened for microorganisms or enzymes that can degrade aromatic polymers. We found that a fungus in the genus Aspergillus produces some enzyme that hydrolyzes 4CDP. Moreover, we succeeded in purifying the enzyme from an Aspergillus-originated material and identifying the gene encoding the enzyme. We expect that knowledge on this enzyme will contribute to development of aromatic polymer-recycling system, which is to be materialized in the future.

Free Research Field

応用微生物学