title: Protein engineering towards natural product synthesis and diversification.
abstract: A dazzling array of enzymes is used by nature in making structurally complex natural products. These enzymes constitute a molecular toolbox that may be used in the construction and fine-tuning of pharmaceutically active molecules. Aided by technological advancements in protein engineering, it is now possible to tailor the activities and specificities of these enzymes as biocatalysts in the production of both natural products and their unnatural derivatives. These efforts are crucial in drug discovery and development, where there is a continuous quest for more potent agents. Both rational and random evolution techniques have been utilized in engineering these enzymes. This review will highlight some examples from several large families of natural products.
authors: Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
authors: Angelica O
authors: AO
authors: Zabala
authors: Ralph A
authors: RA
authors: Cacho
authors: Yi
authors: Y
authors: Tang
mesh_terms: D000470:Alkaloids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D019883:Alkyl and Aryl Transferases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D057005:Bioengineering; D001688:Biological Products / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D001709:Biotechnology; D010453:Peptide Synthases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D048630:Polyketide Synthases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D015202:Protein Engineering / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends
chemical_list: D000470:Alkaloids; D001688:Biological Products; D048630:Polyketide Synthases; D019883:Alkyl and Aryl Transferases; C108877:terpene synthase; D010453:Peptide Synthases