Enlarging the tools for efficient enzymatic polycondensation: structural and catalytic features of cutinase 1 from Thermobifida cellulosilytica

9siCutinase 1 from Thermobifida cellulosilytica is reported for the first time as an efficient biocatalyst in polycondensation reactions. Under thin film conditions the covalently immobilized enzyme catalyzes the synthesis of oligoesters of dimetil adipate with different polyols leading to higher Mw (~1900) and Mn (~1000) if compared to lipase B from Candida antarctica or cutinase from Humicola insolens. Computational analysis discloses the structural features that make this enzyme readily accessible to substrates and optimally suited for covalent immobilization. As lipases and other cutinase enzymes, it presents hydrophobic superficial regions around the active site. However, molecular dynamics simulations indicate the absence of interfacial activation, similarly to what already documented for lipase B from Candida antarctica. Notably, cutinase from Humicola insolens displays a “breathing like” conformational movement, which modifies the accessibility of the active site. These observations stimulate wider experimental and bioinformatics studies aiming at a systematic comparison of functional differences between cutinases and lipases.partially_openembargoed_20161210Pellis, Alessandro; Ferrario, Valerio; Zartl, Barbara; Brandauer, Martin; Gamerith, Caroline; Herrero-Acero, Enrique; Ebert, Cynthia; Gardossi, Lucia; Guebitz, GeorgPellis, Alessandro; Ferrario, Valerio; Zartl, Barbara; Brandauer, Martin; Gamerith, Caroline; Herrero Acero, Enrique; Ebert, Cynthia; Gardossi, Lucia; Guebitz, Geor

Renewable building blocks for sustainable polyesters: new biotechnological routes for greener plastics

5siThe next generation of plastics are expected to contribute to a massive reduction in the carbon footprint by the exploitation, in industrial productive processes, of renewablemonomers such as polyols and dicarboxylic acids obtainable via biotechnological production. More specifically, there is a rising demand for advanced polyesters displaying new functional properties while meeting higher sustainability criteria. Polyesters are part of everyday life with applications in clothing, food packaging, car manufacturing and biomedical devices. This reviewis intended to provide an overviewof the array of renewable building blocks already available for synthetic purposes and exploitable in the production of polyesters. Moreover, newgreener routes formore environmentally friendly polyester production and processing are discussed, pointing out the major technological challenges.Open Access mandate NO. https://www.openaire.eu/search/project?projectId=corda_______reservedmixedPellis, Alessandro; Herrero Acero, Enrique; Gardossi, Lucia; Ferrario, Valerio; Guebitz, GeorgPellis, Alessandro; Herrero Acero, Enrique; Gardossi, Lucia; Ferrario, Valerio; Guebitz, Geor