Wohlgemuth, R. Back to the Future of Metabolism—Advances in the Discovery and Characterization of Unknown Biocatalytic Functions and Pathways. Life2024, 14, 364.
Wohlgemuth, R. Back to the Future of Metabolism—Advances in the Discovery and Characterization of Unknown Biocatalytic Functions and Pathways. Life 2024, 14, 364.
Wohlgemuth, R. Back to the Future of Metabolism—Advances in the Discovery and Characterization of Unknown Biocatalytic Functions and Pathways. Life2024, 14, 364.
Wohlgemuth, R. Back to the Future of Metabolism—Advances in the Discovery and Characterization of Unknown Biocatalytic Functions and Pathways. Life 2024, 14, 364.
Abstract
The architecture, organization and functioning of biocatalytic reaction networks, which are coded in the cell specific genome and which work together in the small space of biological cells, are a fascinating feature of life evolved over more than 3 billion years. The knowledge about the diversity of biocatalytic functions and metabolic pathways sustaining life on our planet is highly important, especially as the currently occurring loss of biodiversity is considered a planetary boundary which is at high risk, and knowledge about the life of current biological organisms should be gained before they become extinct. In addition to the well-known enzymatic reactions involved in biochemical pathways, the enzyme universe offers numerous opportunities for discovering novel functions and pathways. Maintaining thousands of molecules and reactions functioning properly within biological cells, which may be exposed to various kinds of external hazards, environmental stress, enzymatic side reactions or non-enzymatic chemical reactions, is key for keeping cellular life healthy. This review aims at outlining advances in assigning enzyme functions to protein sequences and the discovery of novel biocatalytic functions and pathways.
Copyright:
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