Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology (Nov 2020)

Recent Progress in the Understanding and Engineering of Coenzyme B12-Dependent Glycerol Dehydratase

  • Abdul Nasir,
  • Somasundar Ashok,
  • Jeung Yeop Shim,
  • Sunghoon Park,
  • Tae Hyeon Yoo,
  • Tae Hyeon Yoo

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2020.500867
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 8

Abstract

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Coenzyme B12-dependent glycerol dehydratase (GDHt) catalyzes the dehydration reaction of glycerol in the presence of adenosylcobalamin to yield 3-hydroxypropanal (3-HPA), which can be converted biologically to versatile platform chemicals such as 1,3-propanediol and 3-hydroxypropionic acid. Owing to the increased demand for biofuels, developing biological processes based on glycerol, which is a byproduct of biodiesel production, has attracted considerable attention recently. In this review, we will provide updates on the current understanding of the catalytic mechanism and structure of coenzyme B12-dependent GDHt, and then summarize the results of engineering attempts, with perspectives on future directions in its engineering.

Keywords