Expanding the Toolbox of R-Selective Amine Transaminases by Identification and Characterization of New Members.
Telzerow, A., Paris, J., Hakansson, M., Gonzalez-Sabin, J., Rios-Lombardia, N., Groger, H., Moris, F., Schurmann, M., Schwab, H., Steiner, K.(2021) Chembiochem 22: 1232-1242
- PubMed: 33242357 
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/cbic.202000692
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:  
6SNL, 6XU3 - PubMed Abstract: 
Amine transaminases (ATAs) are used to synthesize enantiomerically pure amines, which are building blocks for pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. R-selective ATAs belong to the fold type IV PLP-dependent enzymes, and different sequence-, structure- and substrate scope-based features have been identified in the past decade. However, our knowledge is still restricted due to the limited number of characterized (R)-ATAs, with additional bias towards fungal origin. We aimed to expand the toolbox of (R)-ATAs and contribute to the understanding of this enzyme subfamily. We identified and characterized four new (R)-ATAs. The ATA from Exophiala sideris contains a motif characteristic for d-ATAs, which was previously believed to be a disqualifying factor for (R)-ATA activity. The crystal structure of the ATA from Shinella is the first from a Gram-negative bacterium. The ATAs from Pseudonocardia acaciae and Tetrasphaera japonica are the first characterized (R)-ATAs with a shortened/missing N-terminal helix. The active-site charges vary significantly between the new and known ATAs, correlating with their diverging substrate scope.
Organizational Affiliation: 
Institute of Molecular Biotechnology, Graz University of Technology, Petersgasse 14, 8010, Graz, Austria.