Carboxyl Methyltransferases: Natural Functions and Potential Applications in Industrial Biotechnology



Ward, Lucy C, McCue, Hannah V and Carnell, Andrew J ORCID: 0000-0002-6353-403X
(2021) Carboxyl Methyltransferases: Natural Functions and Potential Applications in Industrial Biotechnology. CHEMCATCHEM, 13 (1). pp. 121-128.

Access the full-text of this item by clicking on the Open Access link.

Abstract

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>The use of methyltransferases (MTs) in industrial biotechnology to replace toxic alkylating agents is of increasing interest. Carboxyl MTs (CMTs) are a subgroup of MTs that methylate the hydroxyl oxygen of carboxylic acids. Research initially focussed on their natural functions in protein regulation and production of volatile methyl esters in plants. In this review we highlight this potentially valuable group of enzymes that show promise for formation of a wide range of structurally diverse methyl esters from the parent acids under aqueous conditions. CMTs have been used to generate intermediates for biofuels, bioplastics and pharmaceuticals. These biocatalysts could also be integrated into cascades with other enzymes such as acyltransferases that function under aqueous conditions. Recent approaches for regenerating the required cofactor <jats:italic>S</jats:italic>‐adenosylmethionine (SAM) are discussed including <jats:italic>in vitro</jats:italic> recycling, improvement in <jats:italic>in vivo</jats:italic> production and the use of more stable analogues. Advances in these areas will further improve the potential to use carboxyl MTs in industrial biotechnology.</jats:p>

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: methyltransferases, biocatalysis, biotechnology, enzyme catalysis, enzymes
Depositing User: Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited: 03 Nov 2020 14:41
Last Modified: 04 Sep 2023 19:19
DOI: 10.1002/cctc.202001316
Open Access URL: https://doi.org/10.1002/cctc.202001316
Related URLs:
URI: https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3105995