Anàlisi estructural, funcional i mecanistica i redisseny de glucohidrolases d'interès per a biotransformació i biocatàlisi

The aim of the project is to apply protein engineering techniques to the structural/functional analysis, mechanistic studies and redesign of two glucohydrolases: the enzymes endo-1,3-1,4-beta-D-glucan 4-glucanohydrolase from "B. lichebiformis" and beta-glucosidase (cellobiase) from "Streptomyces sp". These enzymes are of comercial value: glucasanase, for the brewing industry in the filtration processes and for broiler chicks feedstuffs to improve their digestability. Glucosidases are used for flavour extraction and, in food processes, for the enzymatic conversion of biomass and, due to the great interest of chemical synthesis of carbohydrates, by reversion of their hydrolytic activity, for transglycosylation and biosynthesis. We have previously isolated, characterized, cloned and sequenced the corresponding genes. By site directed mutagenesis we have identified the essential residues. Fr