Scientists rewire enzymes to control which fragrance molecules they produce

AI Insight

Researchers developed a method to control the product selectivity of terpene synthase enzymes by engineering the conformation of their substrate molecules. By modifying how the substrate is presented to these naturally promiscuous enzymes, they successfully redirected enzymatic activity to produce specific desired terpene products rather than the typical mixture of compounds. This substrate conformation engineering approach achieved significant improvements in both product selectivity and overall catalytic activity.

Why it matters

This technique offers a new strategy for producing specific terpene compounds, which are valuable in pharmaceuticals, fragrances, and biofuels. The ability to reprogram enzyme selectivity without extensive protein engineering could accelerate the development of sustainable biomanufacturing processes for high-value terpene-based products.