Acronym AlgModE
Category
Marine Biotechnology
Title Alginate modifying enzymes: elucidating the dualistic mode of action of lyases and epimerases Programme National Programme
Instrument (FP6)
Contact Type (FP7)
Strand (Interreg)
NA
Theme (FP7)
Activity Area (FP6)
Regional Area (Interreg)
Action (COST)
NA
Specific Programme (FP7)
NA
Funding source National
Coordinator institution
NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology (Norway)
Institutions involved
NA - Not available (Norway) ,
Start year 2021 End year 2025 Funding (€) € 1,152,200 Website https://prosjektbanken.forskningsradet.no/en/project/FORISS/315385?Kilde=FORISS&distribution=Ar&chart=bar&calcType=funding&Sprak=no&sortBy=date&sortOrder=desc&resultCount=30&offset=0&Organisasjon.4=NTNU+FAKULTET+FOR+NATURVITENSKAP&source=FORISS&projectId=189762 Summary Alginates are long chains of molecules composed of two similar sugar units called M and G. Alginates are found in many kinds of brown algae and are also produced by some bacteria. Alginates have been produced and used for many years as a gelling and thickening agent in food and industrial applications. In the latest years, also biomedical and pharmaceutical applications have been increasing. This has led to a need for alginate materials with specific and defined properties. In this respect, a class of enzyme proteins called alginate epimerases and alginate lyases are important tools. These proteins can change the ratio of M and G units (Ms converted to Gs) and the length of the alginate chains (introduce chain breaks) respectively. The M/G ratio and the chain length are the basic properties of alginates that decide the suitability for different applications, and thus controlling these properties are essential. Interestingly, the catalytic mechanism of epimerases and lyases, i.e. the specific way they are able to modify the alginate chains, are very similar even though their action lead to different end products. There are also examples of enzymes that can act as both epimerases and lyases. These intriguing properties are not fully characterised and a complete understanding of the mechanism of action of these enzymes are yet lacking. In this project, we will take advantage of the comprehensive competence on epimerases and lyases within the partners research groups and the availability of powerful experimental techniques for characterisation of the enzymes to gain insight into their complex functionality. The outcome of the project will have an impact on both basic and applied enzyme research by understanding the function of alginate epimerases and lyases in general. In addition, the knowledge can facilitate the development of new and improved functionalities of alginate modifying enzymes allowing for increased precision in the design of new alginate materials.
Keywords
Bioproduct;
Human food;
Human health;
Pharmaceuticals;
Marine enzymes;
Bioprospecting;
Bacteria;
Marine Region
76
Not associated to marine areas
0
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