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Protein Engineering

  • account_circleSohei ItoPhD, Assoc. Prof.
  • account_circleDaisuke FujinamiPhD, Research Asst. Prof.
Investigation of the structure and function of enzymes
Application of protein engineering techniques to the food sciences
The ultimate objective of protein engineering is to design a protein of a desired function using several advanced techniques including genetic engineering. Protein engineering enables us to improve the thermostability of an enzyme, change the product specificity, and investigate the function of an enzyme. Our laboratory focuses on the application of protein engineering techniques to food sciences. Our main techniques involve site-directed mutagenesis, kinetic analysis of enzyme reaction, and X-ray crystallography. Laboratory students should be trained to manipulate both protein and DNA.
1. Studies on the structure of proteins used in food engineering

X-ray crystallography is our most powerful tool for showing the three-dimensional structure of a protein. We analyzed the structures of many proteins linked to human disease.

2. Protein engineering of enzymes relating to plant secondary metabolism

Plants produce many substances to attract pollinators and seed disseminators and to repel parasites, predators, and herbivores. Terpene synthase is one of the most important enzymes concerning biosynthesis of plant volatiles. We have successfully isolated and characterized from tea and citrus plants several genes related to terpene synthases.

3. Protein engineering of amylases and their related enzymes

Sugar-related enzymes such as amylases and glucosidases are employed to produce sweetener from starch. The enzymes used for this purpose should have high thermostability. We are researching suitable enzymes from thermophilic bacteria.

Figure 1
Crystal structure of Glucansucrase and amylase. Ribbon diagram of Glucansucrase from Streptococcus mutans (upper left). Ribbon diagram of α-amylase from Bacillus licheniformis (left below). Substrate-binding site with acarbose (right). Domain IV, A and B are composed of chains IV1 (orange) and IV2 (salmon), chains A1 (blue) and A2 (purple) and chains B1 (green) and B2 (yellow green), respectively. Acarbose is a pseudotetrasaccharide and a strong inhibitor for Glucansucrases. The glycosyl intermediate in the structure of another amylase family member is shown in gray.
Figure 2
Rational conversion of product specificity in a Citrus unshiu monoterpene synthase. Introduction of mutations near the active site results in changes in the products formed. Some mutated enzymes produced α-pinene and sabinene in lieu of γ-terpinene.
References
  1. Biosci. Biotechnol. Biochem. 75, 1245-1248 (2011)
  2. J. Mol. Biol. 408, 177-186 (2011)
  3. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 132, 824-832 (2010)