Metagenome-derived enzymes

Kotik, M., Zhao, W., lacazio, G. and Archelas, A. (2013) Directed evolution of metagenome-derived epoxide hydrolase for improved enantioselectivity and enantioconvergence. /. Mol Catal. B Enzym., 91,44-51. 

The screening of a metagenomic library derived from loam soil afforded a novel two-component SMO, which has been heterologously expressed in E. coli [52], This biocatalytic system was able to perform selective sulfoxidations of alkyl aryl sulfides, providing the recovered (R)-sulfoxides with good to high selectivities and moderate conversions after 16h. Ethyl phenyl sulfide was the best substrate for this enzyme, as the final sulfoxide was obtained with 92% ee. It therefore represents an interesting SMO alternative. 

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