Directed evolution of aldolases for exploitation in synthetic organic chemistry.
Author
Bolt, Amanda H.
Berry, A.
Nelson, A.
Date
2008-06-15Journal
Archives of biochemistry and biophysicsType
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tPublisher
ElsevierDOI
10.1016/j.abb.2008.01.005Rights
Archived with thanks to Archives of biochemistry and biophysicsMetadata
Show full item recordAbstract
This review focuses on the directed evolution of aldolases with synthetically useful properties. Directed evolution has been used to address a number of limitations associated with the use of wild-type aldolases as catalysts in synthetic organic chemistry. The generation of aldolase enzymes with a modified or expanded substrate repertoire is described. Particular emphasis is placed on the directed evolution of aldolases with modified stereochemical properties: such enzymes can be useful catalysts in the stereoselective synthesis of biologically active small molecules. The review also describes some of the fundamental insights into mechanistic enzymology that directed evolution can provide.