Review

Evolution of Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) Production System by “Enzyme Evolution”: Successful Case Studies of Directed Evolution

  1. Seiichi Taguchi1,2,*,
  2. Yoshiharu Doi2,3

Article first published online: 8 MAR 2004

DOI: 10.1002/mabi.200300111

Issue

Macromolecular Bioscience

Macromolecular Bioscience

Special Issue: Highlights from the First IUPAC International Conference on Bio-based Polymers (ICBP 2003) in Saitama, Japan

Volume 4, Issue 3, pages 145–156, March 15, 2004

Additional Information

How to Cite

Taguchi, S. and Doi, Y. (2004), Evolution of Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) Production System by “Enzyme Evolution”: Successful Case Studies of Directed Evolution. Macromol. Biosci., 4: 145–156. doi: 10.1002/mabi.200300111

Author Information

  1. 1

    Division of Molecular Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-8628, Japan

  2. 2

    Polymer Chemistry Laboratory, RIKEN Institute, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako-shi, Saitama 351-0198, Japan

  3. 3

    Department of Innovative and Engineered Materials, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 4259 Nagatsuta, Midori-ku, Yokohama 226-8502, Japan

*Division of Molecular Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-8628, Japan. Fax: +81-(0)11-706-6610

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 8 MAR 2004
  2. Article first published online: 8 MAR 2004
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 16 JAN 2004
  4. Manuscript Revised: 13 JAN 2004
  5. Manuscript Received: 27 NOV 2003

SEARCH

SEARCH BY CITATION

ARTICLE TOOLS

View Full Article (HTML) Get PDF (384K)

Keywords:

  • biodegradable polyesters;
  • copolymerization;
  • enzyme evolution;
  • polyhydroxyalkanoate;
  • synthase

Abstract

Thumbnail image of graphical abstract

Summary: Biotechnological studies towards the biosynthesis of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) biopolyesters have extensively progressed through the development of various metabolic engineering strategies. Historically, efficient PHA production has been achieved using the fermentation technology of naturally occurring PHA-producing bacteria based on external substrate manipulation (1st generation), and subsequent reinforcement with recombinant gene technology (2nd generation). More recently, “enzyme evolution” is becoming the 3rd generation approach for PHA production. A break-through in the chemical synthesis of macromolecules with desirable properties was achieved by the development of prominent chemical catalysts via “catalyst evolution”, as represented by a series of Ziegler-Natta catalysts. Thus, one can easily accept the concept that the molecular evolution of the biocatalysts (enzymes) relevant to PHA synthesis will provide us with a chance to create novel PHA materials with high performance. The first trial of an in vitro enzyme evolution in PHA biosynthesis was reported by our group in 2001. The following literature data, as well as our own experimental results devoted to this new approach, have been accumulated over a short time. This review article focuses specifically on the concept and current case studies of the application of “enzyme evolution” to PHA biosynthesis.

View Full Article (HTML) Get PDF (384K)