title: Directed evolution of aldolases for exploitation in synthetic organic chemistry.
abstract: This review focuses on the directed evolution of aldolases with synthetically useful properties. Directed evolution has been used to address a number of limitations associated with the use of wild-type aldolases as catalysts in synthetic organic chemistry. The generation of aldolase enzymes with a modified or expanded substrate repertoire is described. Particular emphasis is placed on the directed evolution of aldolases with modified stereochemical properties: such enzymes can be useful catalysts in the stereoselective synthesis of biologically active small molecules. The review also describes some of the fundamental insights into mechanistic enzymology that directed evolution can provide.
authors.affiliation: School of Chemistry, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK.
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bolt
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Berry
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nelson
mesh_terms: D000446:Aldehyde-Lyases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D002384:Catalysis; D002625:Chemistry, Organic / Q000379:methods*; D019020:Directed Molecular Evolution; D008958:Models, Molecular; D015202:Protein Engineering / Q000379:methods; D013237:Stereoisomerism; D013379:Substrate Specificity
chemical_list: D000446:Aldehyde-Lyases