An algal photoenzyme converts fatty acids to hydrocarbons.
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| Title: | An algal photoenzyme converts fatty acids to hydrocarbons. |
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| Authors: | Sorigué, Damien, Légeret, Bertrand, Cuiné, Stéphan, Blangy, Stéphanie, Moulin, Solène, Billon, Emmanuelle, Richaud, Pierre, Brugière, Sabine, Couté, Yohann, Nurizzo, Didier, Müller, Pavel, Brettel, Klaus, Pignol, David, Arnoux, Pascal, Li-Beisson, Yonghua, Peltier, Gilles, Beisson, Fred |
| Source: | Science (pre-March 2025). 9/1/2017, Vol. 357 Issue 6354, p903-907. 5p. 3 Color Photographs, 3 Graphs. |
| Subjects: | Algae & the environment, Enzyme inhibitors, Chlorella, Fatty acids, Decarboxylase inhibitors, Hydrocarbons |
| Abstract: | Although many organisms capture or respond to sunlight, few enzymes are known to be driven by light. Among these are DNA photolyases and the photosynthetic reaction centers. Here, we show that the microalga Chlorella variabilis NC64A harbors a photoenzyme that acts in lipid metabolism. This enzyme belongs to an algae-specific clade of the glucose-methanol-choline oxidoreductase family and catalyzes the decarboxylation of free fatty acids to n-alkanes or -alkenes in response to blue light. Crystal structure of the protein reveals a fatty acid–binding site in a hydrophobic tunnel leading to the light-capturing flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) cofactor. The decarboxylation is initiated through electron abstraction from the fatty acid by the photoexcited FAD with a quantum yield >80%. This photoenzyme, which we name fatty acid photodecarboxylase, may be useful in light-driven, bio-based production of hydrocarbons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
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| Abstract: | Although many organisms capture or respond to sunlight, few enzymes are known to be driven by light. Among these are DNA photolyases and the photosynthetic reaction centers. Here, we show that the microalga Chlorella variabilis NC64A harbors a photoenzyme that acts in lipid metabolism. This enzyme belongs to an algae-specific clade of the glucose-methanol-choline oxidoreductase family and catalyzes the decarboxylation of free fatty acids to n-alkanes or -alkenes in response to blue light. Crystal structure of the protein reveals a fatty acid–binding site in a hydrophobic tunnel leading to the light-capturing flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) cofactor. The decarboxylation is initiated through electron abstraction from the fatty acid by the photoexcited FAD with a quantum yield >80%. This photoenzyme, which we name fatty acid photodecarboxylase, may be useful in light-driven, bio-based production of hydrocarbons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 00368075 |
| DOI: | 10.1126/science.aan6349 |
