Chapter 11 - Production of fine chemicals from renewable feedstocks through the engineering of artificial enzyme cascades

Abstract

Cascade enzymatic reactions enable multi-step synthesis in one-pot without the isolation of intermediates, thus being an important tool for the green and sustainable production of chemicals. Increasing attention has been made on the engineering of artificial enzyme cascades for the manufacturing of fine chemicals from renewable feedstocks. This chapter first introduces the general concept of enzyme cascades and the advantages over traditional multi-step synthesis. The types of enzyme cascades, difference between natural and artificial enzyme cascades, design of enzyme cascades, and the importance of fine chemical production from renewable feedstocks using artificial enzyme cascades are then discussed. The general principle of engineering enzyme cascades and developing whole-cell biocatalysts for the conversion of renewable feedstocks to fine chemicals are provided. Bioproduction of several high-value chemicals such as chiral and highly functionalized molecules (alcohols, amines, carboxylic acids, amino acids) from bio-based l-phenylalanine using whole-cells catalyzed artificial cascade biotransformation are summarized. The production of high-value chemicals directly from glucose and glycerol by the combination of natural biosynthesis pathway and artificial enzyme cascades are described. Bioproduction using single strain and coupled-strains approach is compared. The future perspectives in the development of enzyme cascades for the production of high-value chemicals are also addressed.