title: Marine Microorganism: An Underexplored Source of l-Asparaginase.
abstract: l-Asparaginase (EC 3.5.1.1) is an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of l-asparagine to l-aspartic acid. This enzyme has an important role in medicine and food. l-Asparaginase is a potential drug in cancer therapy. Furthermore, it is also applied for reducing acrylamide, a carcinogenic compound in baked and fried foods. Until now, approved l-asparaginases for both applications are few due to their lack of appropriate properties. As a result, researchers have been enthusiastically seeking new sources of enzyme with better performance. A great number of terrestrial l-asparaginase-producing microorganisms have been reported but unfortunately, almost all failed to meet criteria for cancer therapy and acrylamide reducing agent. As a largest area than Earth, marine environment, by contrast, has not been optimally explored yet. So far, a great challenge facing an exploration of marine microorganisms is mainly due to their harsh, mysterious, and dangerous environment. It is clear that marine environment, a gigantic potential source for marine natural products is scantily revealed, although several approaches and technologies have been developed. This chapter presents the historical of l-asparaginase discovery and applications. It is also discussed, how the marine environment, even though offering a great potency but is still one of the less explored area for l-asparaginase-producing microorganisms.
authors: Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science, Brawijaya University, Malang, Indonesia. Electronic address: asep_awa@ub.ac.id.
authors: A A
authors: AA
authors: Prihanto
authors: College of Life Sciences, Ritsumeikan University, Shiga, Japan.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Wakayama
mesh_terms: D059001:Aquatic Organisms / Q000737:chemistry*; D001215:Asparaginase / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000201:enzymology*; D005524:Food Technology; D005658:Fungi / Q000201:enzymology*
chemical_list: D001215:Asparaginase
keywords: Acrylamide; Asparagine; Cancer therapy; Food safety; Marine exploration; Marine microorganism; l-Asparaginase