Summary: Biotransformations CHIMIA 2009, 63, No. 6 309
doi:10.2533/chimia.2009.309 Chimia 63 (2009) 309­312 © Schweizerische Chemische Gesellschaft
*Correspondence: Prof. F. H. Arnold
California Institute of Technology
Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering,
210-41
Pasadena, CA 91125 USA
Tel.: +1 626 395 4162
Fax: +1 626 568 8743
E-mail: frances@cheme.caltech.edu
Catalysts on Demand: Selective
Oxidations by Laboratory-Evolved
Cytochrome P450 BM3
Jared C. Lewis and Frances H. Arnold*
Abstract: Efficient catalysts for selective oxidation of C­H bonds using atmospheric oxygen are highly desirable
to decrease the economic and environmental costs associated with conventional oxidation processes. We have
used methods of directed evolution to generate variants of bacterial cytochrome P450 BM3 that catalyze hy-
droxylation and epoxidation of a wide range of nonnative substrates. This fatty acid hydroxylase was converted
to a propane monooxygenase (PMO) capable of hydroxylating propane at rates comparable to that of BM3 on
its natural substrates. Variants along the PMO evolutionary lineage showed broadened substrate scope; these

Source: Arnold, Frances H. - Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology

Collections: Chemistry; Biology and Medicine