Designing and Engineering Enzymes for New-to-Nature Photobiocatalysis.

Jie Feng, Chang-Liang Zhu, Mao-Lin Li

Journal: Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.) 2026;3032():47-67

PMID: 42681175

Abstract

Photobiocatalysis, an interdisciplinary frontier integrating chemistry, biology, and catalysis, drives enzymatic catalysis from natural reactions to new-to-nature transformations via protein engineering and photochemistry. This review centers on enzyme classes, covering nine key families: fatty acid photodecarboxylases (FAPs), nicotinamide-dependent reductases, flavin-dependent "ene"-reductases (EREDs), and others like artificial photoenzymes. We detail photoenzymatic development, mechanisms, and protein engineering for reactivity expansion. Despite enzymes' superior stereocontrol, their reaction scope is narrower than small-molecule catalysts. Future exploration of universal activation mechanisms and AI-assisted engineering will expand photobiocatalysis' potential for sustainable chiral synthesis and green chemistry.

Address: State Key Laboratory and Institute of Elemento-Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Nankai University, Tianjin, China.; State Key Laboratory and Institute of Elemento-Organic Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, Nankai University, Tianjin, China. [email protected].

DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-5257-2_4

MeSH Terms: Protein Engineering, Biocatalysis, Enzymes, Photochemical Processes, Catalysis, Carboxy-Lyases