Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)

Issue: 4

License:

Publication date(s): 2018/04/06 (print) 2018/03/20 (online)

Pages: 3532-3549

Volume: 8 Issue: 4

Journal: ACS Catalysis

Link: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/10.1021/acscatal.8b00624

Recent studies of multiple enzyme families collectively called ene-reductases (ERs) have highlighted potential industrial applications of these biocatalysts in the production of fine and specialty chemicals. Processes have been developed whereby ERs contribute to synthetic routes as isolated enzymes, as components of multienzyme cascades, and more recently in metabolic engineering and synthetic biology programs using microbial cell factories to support chemicals production. The discovery of ERs from previously untapped sources and the expansion of directed-evolution screening programs, coupled to deeper mechanistic understanding of ER reactions, have driven their use in natural product and chemicals synthesis. Here we review developments, challenges, and opportunities for the use of ERs in fine and specialty chemicals manufacture. The ER research field is rapidly expanding, and the focus of this review is on developments that have emerged predominantly over the last 4 years.