Versatile Lipases from the Candida rugosa-like Family: A Mechanistic Insight Using Computational Approaches

J Chem Inf Model. 2021 Feb 22;61(2):913-920. doi: 10.1021/acs.jcim.0c01151. Epub 2021 Feb 8.

Abstract

Lipases are enzymes able to catalyze the hydrolysis or synthesis of triglycerides, depending on the reaction conditions, whereas sterol esterases show the same ability on sterol esters. Structurally, both kinds of enzymes display an α/β-hydrolase fold, with a substrate-binding pocket formed by a hydrophobic cavity covered by a mobile lid. However, it has been reported that some lipases from the Candida rugosa-like family display wide substrate specificity on both triglycerides and sterol esters. Among them, enzymes with different biotechnological applications, such as the lipase isoenzymes produced by C. rugosa and the sterol esterase from Ophiostoma piceae, have been exhaustively characterized and their crystal structures are available. Differences in substrate affinity among these proteins have been attributed to changes in their hydrophobicity. In this work, we analyzed the full catalytic mechanisms of these proteins using molecular dynamics tools, gaining insight into their mechanistic properties. In addition, we developed an in silico protocol to predict the substrate specificity using C. rugosa and O. piceae lipases as model enzymes and triglycerides and cholesterol esters with different fatty acid chain lengths as model substrates. The protocol was validated by comparing the in silico results with those described in the literature. These results would be useful to perform virtual screening of substrates for enzymes of the C. rugosa-like family with unknown catalytic properties.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Candida* / metabolism
  • Lipase* / metabolism
  • Ophiostoma
  • Saccharomycetales
  • Sterol Esterase / metabolism
  • Substrate Specificity

Substances

  • Sterol Esterase
  • Lipase

Supplementary concepts

  • Diutina rugosa
  • Ophiostoma piceae