An Approach for Introducing a Different Function to an Industrial Enzyme

Abstract

Saccharide is indispensable for human life. For the purpose of securing enough of it, scientists have been studying carbohydrate-active enzymes for a long time and have stored up a huge amount of information on enzymes. Many studies also have been performed on carbohydrate-active enzymes from a viewpoint of industrial use. α-Amylase and cyclodextrin glucanotransferase (CGTase), that are widely used in the saccharifying industry, are interesting materials for basic research in improving the function of enzymes. In this review, we present one of the successful experiments of introducing the raw starch-binding and -digesting ability of CGTase to an α-amylase which is widely used as an industrial enzyme. We also discuss at domain level the relationship between structure and function of the chimeric enzymes.