Recombinant enzymes

Tntroduction

• Recombinant enzymes are enzymes that are produced through genetic engineering techniques. In genetic engineering, the gene for a particular enzyme is isolated and then inserted into the DNA of a suitable host organism, such as bacteria, yeast, or mammalian cells. The host organism then produces the enzyme using the instructions encoded in the inserted gene. Recombinant enzymes have several advantages over enzymes obtained from natural sources. For example, they can be produced in large quantities, they can be modified to have specific properties or functions, and they can be produced with a high level of purity. Recombinant enzymes have a wide range of applications, including in the production of biofuels, pharmaceuticals, and food additives.

examples

• Taq polymerase: A DNA polymerase used in the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) that is produced by cloning the gene from the bacterium Thermus aquaticus into E. coli. Chymosin: An enzyme used in cheese production that is produced by inserting the gene for chymosin into the DNA of yeast or bacteria. Recombinant human insulin: A form of insulin used to treat diabetes that is produced by inserting the gene for human insulin into the DNA of E. coli or yeast.

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