The Xiamen Symposium on Marine Environmental Sciences

2027 Xiamen Symposium on Marine Environmental Sciences

January 12-15, 2027

Promiscuity of marine halophilic phenylalanine dehydrogenase for the reduction of unnatural keto acids
ID:1479 Poster Presentation

2027-01-15 17:45 (China Standard Time)

Session:Session 29 - Marine Algae: Genetics, evolution and synthetic biology

Abstract
Extreme marine environments act as natural screening libraries for polyextremophilic enzymes. It motivates the exploration of enzymes for biocatalysis in non-aqueous systems. Here, promiscuity of halophilic phenylalanine dehydrogenase (NTAaDH) from Natranaerobius thermophilus in the reduction of unnatural keto acids was studied. NTAaDH asymmetrically reduces a wide range of carbonyl compounds, including phenylglyoxylic acid, 2-oxobutanoic acid, 2-oxovaleric acid, phenoxy-2-propanone, 2-methylcyclohexanone, and 3-methylcyclohexanone. The results indicated NTAaDH exhibits not only amino acid dehydrogenase activity, but also amine dehydrogenase activity due to promiscuous behavior. Notably, NTAaDH exhibited excellent catalytic efficiency for 2-oxobutanoic acid at 50 oC. And the half-life of NTAaDH for 2-oxobutanoic acid was enhanced by 2.66-fold of that of phenylpyruvic acid. Because of the small molecular size for 2-oxobutanoic acid, the Km of NTAaDH is smaller than that of phenylpyruvic acid, and the kcat/Km of NTAaDH for 2-oxobutanoic acid was enhanced by 2.16-fold of that of phenylpyruvic acid. Besides, the kcat/Km of NTAaDH for phenylglyoxylic acid, phenoxy-2-propanone, and 3-methylcyclohexanone was enhanced by 1.04-fold, 1.17-fold, and 1.06-fold of that of phenylpyruvic acid. As a halophilic polyextremophilic enzyme, NTAaDH is naturally adapted to the specific stress conditions, such as salinity, pH, and temperature, providing a reference for research on the promiscuity of marine halophilic enzymes and a green platform for industrial synthesis of chiral amines, unnatural amino acids with marine-relevant pharmaceutical product application.
Speaker
Shizhen Wang Fujian Ocean Innovation Center;Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University

Author
Shizhen Wang Fujian Ocean Innovation Center;Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University

    Important Dates

    • Jan 30

      2026

      Session / Event proposals open

    • Mar 31

      2026

      Session / Event proposals close
      (Extended to April 7)

    • Apr 30

      2026

      Session acceptance notifications

    • Apr 30

      2026

      Abstract submissions & registration open

    • Jun 30

      2026

      Abstract submissions close
      (Extended to July 21)

    • Aug 31

      2026

      Abstract acceptance notifications

    • Sep 15

      2026

      Scientific program released

    • Oct 15

      2026

      Early bird registration closes

    • Jan 12–15

      2027

      XMAS 2027