Seeking Novel Nitrilase Enzyme (Nitrile Aminohydrolase, EC 3.5.5.1)

Abstract

Our research group has created a library of novel nitrilases. In general, the enzymes are available from heterologous producers in amounts ranging from 10 to 20 mg of protein exhbiting 25-50 % purity. The enzymes differ from each other in substrate specificity, temperature optimum, enantioselectivity (arylacetonitrilases) etc. Preferential substrates are phenylacetonitrile, (R,S)-mandelonitrile, benzonitrile or cyanopyridines (depending on the enzyme)