Mutant Gamma-Glutamyltransferase for Val-Gly Production

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for producing γ-glutamylvalylglycine (γ-Glu-Val-Gly) lack a specific mutant of γ-glutamyltransferase that effectively catalyzes the γ-glutamylation of Val-Gly, limiting its production efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a mutant γ-glutamyltransferase with specific mutations, such as Y444E, is used to react Val-Gly with a γ-glutamyl group donor, optimizing the enzyme's activity and production of γ-Glu-Val-Gly or its salt.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If wild-type γ-glutamyltransferase is used for the reaction, then the enzyme structure is simple and easy to obtain, but the catalytic activity for γ-glutamylation of Val-Gly is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction efficiency of γ-Glu-Val-GlyVSAvoidenzyme structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by introducing specific amino acid mutations (Y444E, N411Q, Q430M) into the γ-glutamyltransferase sequence to alter the enzyme's catalytic properties. These parameter changes in the enzyme's amino acid composition enable it to effectively catalyze the γ-glutamylation of Val-Gly, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining simple enzyme structure and achieving high productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If mutant γ-glutamyltransferase with specific mutations is used, then the catalytic activity is enhanced, but the enzyme production and purification process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecatalytic activityVSAvoidenzyme production ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-introducing the desired mutations (Y444E, N411Q, Q430M) into the enzyme sequence before production. This allows the mutant enzyme to be expressed directly with the required catalytic properties, avoiding the need for complex post-production modification processes and thereby maintaining ease of manufacture while ensuring high catalytic activity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If chemical synthesis method is used, then the production process is well-established, but the manufacturing precision and purity are lower compared to enzymatic methods

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct purityVSAvoidprocess complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies mechanics substitution by replacing chemical synthesis methods with enzymatic catalysis. The mutant γ-glutamyltransferase specifically catalyzes the formation of γ-Glu-Val-Gly with high stereoselectivity and regioselectivity, achieving superior manufacturing precision and purity compared to chemical methods, while the enzymatic process itself remains relatively simple and biocompatible.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The method efficiently produces γ-Glu-Val-Gly, enhancing its catalytic activity and yield, making it suitable for applications in food and pharmaceutical industries.

Implementation Method 1

reacting Val-Gly with a γ-glutamyl group donor in the presence of a γ-glutamyltransferase, a microorganism containing the enzyme, or a processed product thereof to generate γ-Glu-Val-Gly

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnzyme catalysis: Enzyme

Implementation Method 2

the activity of the enzyme was detected by color development of p-nitroaniline, but generation of γ-Glu-Val-Gly was not confirmed

Methodology Applied
Scientific Effectγ-glutamylation: Catalysis

Data Source

PatentEP2765190B1Mutant y-glutamyltransferase, and method for producing y-glutamylvalylglycine or salt thereof
Publication Date: 2018.05.23 AJINOMOTO CO INC
  • EP2765190B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2765190B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2765190B1 patent drawing

AI summary

A method for producing γ-Glu-Val-Gly comprising the step of reacting Val-Gly with a γ-glutamyl group donor in the presence of a γ-glutamyltransferase, a microorganism containing the enzyme, or a processed product thereof to generate γ-Glu-Val-Gly, wherein the γ-glutamyltransferase consists of a large subunit and a small subunit, and the small subunit has a specific mutation.