We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
A New PETase from the Human Saliva Metagenome and Its Functional Modification via Genetic Code Expansion in Bacteria
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers discovered and engineered a new PETase enzyme from human saliva metagenome data, demonstrating its ability to break down PET plastic. Functional modifications improved its catalytic efficiency, contributing to the development of biological tools for plastic recycling.
The discovery and engineering of new plastic degrading enzymes is an important challenge in chemical biotechnology to enable transition to a more sustainable and circular plastics economy. This field has so far yielded a range of enzymes and microbial pathways for the recycling and valorization of plastic waste. New research from Uttamapinant et al. reports the discovery of a novel polyethylene terephthalate (PET) hydrolase from the human saliva metagenome that displays improved properties and catalytic performance over previously characterized PET hydrolases (PETases). The authors also demonstrate the site-specific incorporation of a photocaged unnatural amino acid, 2,3-diaminopropionic acid (DAP), which upon photodecaging enables covalent binding of DAP to the PET surface. Thus, this work highlights metagenomic datasets as an untapped source of new PET degrading enzymes and the chemical modification of PETases via genetic code expansion, enabling new biotechnologies for the circular plastics economy.
More Papers Like This
A New PETase from the Human Saliva Metagenome and Its Functional Modification via Genetic Code Expansion in Bacteria
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers discovered a novel PET-degrading enzyme from the human saliva metagenome that outperforms previously characterized PETases, and demonstrated its functional modification through genetic code expansion to incorporate non-canonical amino acids.
Genetic code expansion of plastic-degrading enzymes for detection of microplastics
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers engineered PET-degrading enzymes to create variants that form covalent bonds with PET microplastic particles, enabling enzyme-based detection of microplastics. This proof-of-concept work repurposes plastic-degrading enzymes as analytical detection tools.
Polyethylene Terephthalate Hydrolases in Human Gut Microbiota and Their Implications for Human Health
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers searched the genomes of healthy human gut bacteria and discovered enzymes capable of breaking down PET, one of the most common plastics found in food and drink packaging. They identified multiple bacterial species in the human gut that produce these PET-degrading enzymes. This discovery suggests that gut microbes may play a role in processing the microplastics people swallow, though it also raises questions about whether the breakdown products could affect human health.
An Efficient Protein Evolution Workflow for the Improvement of Bacterial PET Hydrolyzing Enzymes.
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed a protein engineering workflow to improve bacterial enzymes that degrade PET plastic, combining semi-rational design with high-throughput screening. The resulting engineered enzyme variant achieved over 80% depolymerization of PET nanoparticles within 1.5 hours using only small amounts of enzyme.
Recent advances in screening and identification of PET-degrading enzymes
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers reviewed recent advances in discovering and engineering enzymes capable of breaking down PET plastic, one of the most widely produced and persistent plastic types. They examined screening methods including metagenomic mining and machine learning approaches that have accelerated the identification of promising PET-degrading enzymes. The study suggests that enzymatic recycling could become a viable, environmentally friendly alternative to traditional PET disposal methods.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.