The enzyme γ-humulene synthase normally generates a mixture of more than 50 sesquiterpene products from a single substrate. Targeted evolution allowed the design of new mutants with greatly enhanced product specificity. The results provide a model for the divergent evolution of enzyme specificity from ancestral proteins of promiscuous function.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 12 print issues and online access
$259.00 per year
only $21.58 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
References
Yoshikuni, Y., Ferrin, T.E. & Keasling, J.D. Nature, published online 22 February 2006, doi: 10.1038/nature04067.
Steele, C.L. et al. J. Biol. Chem. 273, 2078–2089 (1998).
Cane, D.E. in Comprehensive Natural Products Chemistry. Isoprenoids Including Carotenoids and Steroids, Vol. 2 (ed. Cane, D.E.) 155–200 (Elsevier, Oxford, 1999).
Rynkiewicz, M.J., Cane, D.E. & Christianson, D.W. Biochemistry 41, 1732–1741 (2002).
Felicetti, B. & Cane, D.E. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 126, 7212–7221 (2004).
O'Maille, P.E et al. Methods Enzymol. 388, 75–91 (2004).
Aharoni, A. et al. Nat. Genet. 37, 73–76 (2005)
Bone, R., Silen, J.L. & Agard, D.A. Nature 339, 191–195 (1989).
Starks, C.M. et al. Science 277, 1815–1820 (1997).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Cane, D. How to evolve a silk purse from a sow's ear. Nat Chem Biol 2, 179–180 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/nchembio0406-179
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nchembio0406-179
