PROTEINS 2015* The use of novel transaminases in biocatalysis (#214)
Increasingly, enzymes are the catalyst of choice for industrial chemical synthesis due in large part to the reduction in process cost that can be achieved by their use. We have explored the use of a family of proteins that catalyse the transfer of a primary amine from a substrate to a carbonyl co-substrate (i.e., transaminases) in the production of industrially relevant synthons. We have isolated and characterised novel, promiscuous transaminases from a Pseudomonas species and have exploited their broad substrate-specificity to produce a range of industrially-relivant compounds. In particular, we have developed new enzyme-based methods for the production of intermediates in polyamide synthesis and for the synthesis of novel analogues of tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloid intermediates.
