Recent Trends for Discovery and Enhancement of Enzyme Function: A Review

Abstract

R ECENTLY, there is a growing recognition of enzymes utilization as ecofriendly alternative for chemical catalysts in various industrial sectors. Two main approaches are used to expand the enzymes utilization in various industrial applications including (i) Searching nature for discovery of better performing novel biocatalysts and (ii) Improvement of the enzyme function and properties. The recent advances in biocatalyst discovery and engineering have led to an increase of the efficiency and functional diversityof enzymes. Therefore, enzyme application is expanding to broader industrial processes, including those which were previously restricted to the classical chemical catalysts. Furthermore, there is a significant success in developing made-to-order enzymes that meet the industrial process conditions requirements, leading to more efficient and cost-effective processes. Here I highlight state-of-the-art strategies and tools for novel enzyme discovery and function enhancement, including enzyme engineering at the molecular level through different approaches such as directed evolution, rational design, semi rational design and computational de novo enzyme design; in addition to the recently developed field, nanobiocatalysis.