DERA

DERA is a member of the Class I aldolases, which are acetaldehyde-dependent enzymes. It catalyzes a reversible aldol reaction between an acetaldehyde donor (a C2 compound) and a glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate acceptor (a C3 compound) to generate deoxyribose-5-phosphate (a C5 compound) . This reaction is essential for the formation of carbon-carbon (C–C) bonds, making DERA a versatile biocatalyst for synthetic applications .

The recombinant form of DERA produced in Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a single, non-glycosylated polypeptide chain containing 338 amino acids and has a molecular mass of approximately 37.3 kDa . This recombinant enzyme is often fused to a His-tag at the N-terminus to facilitate purification through chromatographic techniques .

DERA enzymes have been extensively studied and engineered to improve their substrate specificity, enzyme efficiency, and stability. Protein engineering strategies, including structure-based design, directed evolution, and machine learning-guided approaches, have been employed to optimize these enzymes . These engineered enzymes have shown improved activity towards various aldehyde substrates, including acetaldehyde and formaldehyde .

The synthetic utility of DERA enzymes extends to the production of novel compounds through C–C bond formation reactions. These enzymes have been applied in the synthesis of commodity chemicals, flavors, and high-value pharmaceutical compounds . For instance, DERA is the only known aldolase that accepts two aldehyde substrates, making it an attractive catalyst for synthesizing chiral polyol motifs present in pharmaceuticals like atorvastatin and pravastatin .

The future of DERA enzyme engineering looks promising, with computational methods expected to accelerate the development of more efficient and stable variants . The use of enzyme immobilization and whole-cell catalysis is also anticipated to enhance the overall performance of biocatalytic processes .

In summary, Deoxyribose-Phosphate Aldolase from E. coli is a versatile and valuable enzyme with significant applications in synthetic chemistry and biotechnology. Its recombinant production and engineering have paved the way for innovative solutions in various industrial processes.