Progress, Challenges, and Opportunities with Artificial Metalloenzymes in Biosynthesis

Biochemistry. 2023 Jan 17;62(2):221-228. doi: 10.1021/acs.biochem.1c00829. Epub 2022 Feb 23.

Abstract

In this Perspective, we present progress, outstanding challenges, and opportunities for the incorporation of artificial metalloenzymes (ArMs) into biosynthetic pathways. We first explain discoveries within the field of ArMs that led to the potential inclusion of these enzymes in biosynthesis. We then describe the specific barriers that our laboratory, in collaboration with the laboratories of Keasling and Mukhopadhyay, addressed to establish a biosynthetic pathway containing an ArM. This biosynthesis produced an unnatural cyclopropyl terpenoid by combining heterologous production of the terpene with modification of its terminal alkene by an ArM built from a cytochrome P450. Finally, we describe the remaining challenges and opportunities related to the application of ArMs in synthetic biology.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Biosynthetic Pathways
  • Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / metabolism
  • Metalloproteins* / metabolism
  • Terpenes / metabolism

Substances

  • Metalloproteins
  • Terpenes
  • Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System