Recombinant Enzyme

Introduction

• Recombinant enzymes are proteins that are produced through genetic engineering techniques, where the gene encoding the enzyme of interest is cloned and expressed in a host organism such as bacteria, yeast, or mammalian cells. This allows for the large-scale production of enzymes that would otherwise be difficult or impossible to obtain in their natural form. Recombinant enzymes can have various applications in biotechnology, including the production of biofuels, pharmaceuticals, and food additives, as well as in diagnostic assays and bioremediation. By using recombinant enzymes, scientists can create enzymes with desired properties, such as improved stability, higher activity, or altered substrate specificity, to better meet the needs of specific applications.

Untitled Slide

• Proteins that have undergone genetic engineering to generate an enzyme are known as recombinant enzymes. This process entails cloning and expressing the gene coding for a targeted enzyme into a host organism such as mammalian cells, yeast or bacteria. This grants the ability to produce enzymes on a grandiose scale, which otherwise would be arduous or unfeasible to attain in their intrinsic state. The utility of genetically altered enzymes in biotechnology encompasses diverse scopes, such as the creation of renewable energy sources, therapeutic drugs and nutritional supplements. Additionally, its potential implementation extends to detecting diseases or pollutants by means of a diagnostic method called assays alongside environmental cleanup initiatives coined "bioremediation". Through the utilization of proteins that have been genetically altered, scholars can generate enzymes with customized attributes like enhanced steadiness, boosted productivity or modified aptitude for particular substrates. These molecular tools provide tailored solutions to specific fields requiring enzymatic reactions and hold immense potential in improving efficiency across various applications.

Untitled Slide

• One example of a recombinant enzyme is insulin. Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels in the body and is commonly used to treat diabetes. Prior to the development of recombinant DNA technology, insulin was extracted from the pancreas of animals such as pigs and cows. However, this method was expensive, and there were concerns about the potential for contamination with viruses and other impurities. With the advent of recombinant DNA technology, the gene for human insulin was cloned and inserted into bacterial or yeast cells. These cells were then cultured in large fermenters to produce the recombinant human insulin. This method of producing insulin has several advantages, including the ability to produce large quantities of pure insulin at a lower cost and without the risk of contamination. Other examples of recombinant enzymes include proteases used in laundry detergents, lipases used in the production of cheese, and amylases used in the production of high-fructose corn syrup.

Untitled Slide

• Taq polymerase is an example of a recombinant enzyme that is widely used in molecular biology research and diagnostic applications. Taq polymerase is a DNA polymerase that was originally isolated from the bacterium Thermus aquaticus, which lives in hot springs. The gene for Taq polymerase has been cloned and inserted into bacterial or yeast cells using recombinant DNA technology. The recombinant Taq polymerase is produced in large quantities and used in the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) process to amplify specific DNA sequences. Taq polymerase is preferred for PCR because it is thermostable, meaning it can withstand high temperatures required for DNA denaturation and synthesis. It also has a relatively low error rate and can incorporate nucleotide analogs such as biotinylated or fluorescently labeled nucleotides into the PCR product. Recombinant Taq polymerase has several advantages over the original Taq polymerase isolated from bacteria, including higher purity, consistent performance, and the absence of contaminants.

Untitled Slide

• Papain: Papain is a protease enzyme that is extracted from papaya fruit. Recombinant papain is produced by cloning the gene that encodes papain into a bacterial or yeast expression system. Recombinant papain is used in the food industry as a meat tenderizer and in the production of protein hydrolysates. Taq polymerase: Taq polymerase is a DNA polymerase enzyme that is used in the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify DNA. Recombinant Taq polymerase is produced by cloning the gene that encodes Taq polymerase into a bacterial expression system. Recombinant Taq polymerase is widely used in molecular biology research and diagnostic applications. Chymosin: Chymosin is an enzyme that is used in the production of cheese to coagulate milk. Recombinant chymosin is produced by cloning the gene that encodes chymosin into a bacterial or yeast expression system. Recombinant chymosin is used in the production of cheese as a more consistent and cost-effective alternative to traditional animal-derived chymosin. Lactase: Lactase is an enzyme that breaks down lactose, a sugar found in milk. Recombinant lactase is produced by cloning the gene that encodes lactase into a bacterial or yeast expression system. Recombinant lactase is used in the food industry to produce lactose-free dairy products for individuals who are lactose intolerant. Asparaginase: Asparaginase is an enzyme that is used in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), a type of blood cancer. Recombinant asparaginase is produced by cloning the gene that encodes asparaginase into a bacterial or mammalian expression system. Recombinant asparaginase is used in the treatment of ALL as a more consistent and less allergenic alternative to animal-derived asparaginase.

Click to Edit

• Taq polymerase: Taq polymerase is a recombinant enzyme that is widely used in the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) process. The Taq polymerase is isolated from the bacterium Thermus aquaticus and is used to amplify specific DNA sequences in the laboratory. Chymosin: Chymosin is a recombinant enzyme that is used in the production of cheese. It is obtained by inserting the gene that encodes for chymosin into the genome of bacteria, yeast or fungi. The recombinant chymosin is then produced in large quantities and added to milk to help coagulate it and produce cheese. L-asparaginase: L-asparaginase is a recombinant enzyme that is used to treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in children. It works by breaking down asparagine, an amino acid that is required for the growth of cancer cells. Alkaline phosphatase: Alkaline phosphatase is a recombinant enzyme that is used in molecular biology research. It is used to remove phosphate groups from DNA, which is necessary for certain experiments such as DNA sequencing and cloning. Factor VIII: Factor VIII is a recombinant enzyme that is used to treat hemophilia A, a genetic disorder that affects blood clotting. It is produced by inserting the gene that encodes for factor VIII into mammalian cells, which then produce the recombinant factor VIII. These are just a few examples of the many recombinant enzymes that are used in various fields such as medicine, biotechnology, and research.

https://www.canva.com/design/DAFicqk5JoM/ONJ27ucUoMN7rBq6ieu0tQ/edit?utm_co...