Homogeneous enzymatic reactions in ionic liquids with poly(ethylene glycol)-modified subtilisin

Org Biomol Chem. 2006 Sep 21;4(18):3462-7. doi: 10.1039/b608920h. Epub 2006 Aug 7.

Abstract

Subtilisin Carlsberg was covalently modified with comb-shaped poly(ethylene glycol) (PM13). PM13-modified subtilisin (PM13-Sub) was readily solubilized in three different ionic liquids (ILs), i.e., [Emim][Tf2N], [C2OC1mim][Tf2N] and [C2OHmim][Tf2N]. Analysis of homogeneous enzymatic reactions in the ILs revealed that PM13-Sub exhibited excellent catalytic performance while the native enzyme suspended in ILs showed no activity. Hydrophobicity of ILs slightly affected enzyme activity, and the relatively hydrophobic IL [Emim][Tf2N] was the preferred medium for enzymatic reactions, similar to enzymatic reactions in conventional organic solvents. Enzyme activity was much higher in [Emim][Tf2N] than in conventional organic solvents, and excellent activity was associated with unique properties of ILs such as hydrophobicity and high polarity. Furthermore, PM13-Sub showed good stability in [Emim][Tf2N], and maintained 80% of its initial activity after 60 h.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bacillus subtilis / enzymology*
  • Catalysis
  • Esterification
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions
  • Ionic Liquids / chemistry*
  • Polyethylene Glycols / chemistry*
  • Solubility
  • Subtilisin / chemistry
  • Subtilisin / metabolism*
  • Thermodynamics
  • Time Factors
  • Water / metabolism

Substances

  • Ionic Liquids
  • Water
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • Subtilisin